Road Trip To 8 Of South Carolina’s National Parks For A Trip Through History
South Carolina’s National Park units number in the double digits and include battlefields, forests, and even one designated park. But there’s a common thread binding at least eight of them: history. Load up a pack with the essentials, gas up the car, and prepare to embark on a scenic tour to Revolutionary War and Civil War sites, battlefields, forts, a forest, and more! In the short period of just one day, experience eight of the most historically significant National Parks to visit in South Carolina.
If you’re planning a visit to South Carolina’s incredible national parks, there’s no better time to visit than during National Park Week. Learn all about this celebration of America’s great outdoors — including fee-free days throughout the year!
The road trip begins in Blacksburg and ends at the newest national park unit in the state: the Reconstruction Era National Historic Park which includes the very site where approximately 3,000 newly freed slaves gathered to hear the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.
To guide your way on this road trip, you can simply pull up the Google map seen above by clicking here. See the list below for more information on each national park on the road trip.
What better place to begin a road trip about history, than at the site of the first major patriot victory (October 7, 1780) after Charleston was invaded by the British in May of 1780? Stop by the visitor's center, hike along the patriot lines on the 1.5-mile historic trail, and visit the grave of one of the fallen officers of the British army. The park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from sunrise to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free! Learn more about this National Park in South Carolina on the official NPS website.
Kings Mountain National Military Park, 2625 Park Rd, Blacksburg, SC 29702, USA
Another pivotal battle during the American Revolution was fought (and won) at the historic battlefield location of Cowpens. Walk in the footsteps of the soldiers that fought and died during the battle, and then visit the visitors center. Three major events take place at Cowpens each year in January, July, and October. The park is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Learn more about this historic place in South Carolina on the NPS website.
Cowpens National Battlefield | Visitor Center, 4001 Chesnee Hwy, Gaffney, SC 29341, USA
Ninety Six was a settlement founded in the early 1700s in the backwoods of South Carolina. It's preserved in this park because it became the site of the first land battle of the American Revolution. It was the British loyalists (of whom there were many living among the community) that emerged the victor of this significant conflict. After the three-day battle, Ninety Six became a stronghold for the loyalists. Hike the one-mile trail to visit the site of Star Fort, make a stop at the visitor's center to see historical artifacts found at the site, and walk down old Island Ford Road, an original Colonial road that passes through the park. It's free to visit Ninety Six National Historic Site. The visitor's center is closed on Monday and Tuesday, but the park is open seven days per week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get all the details about this historic site in South Carolina on the official NPS website.
Ninety Six National Historic Site, 1103 SC-248, Ninety Six, SC 29666, USA
When it comes to National Parks to visit in South Carolina, this one is one of our faves! The only designated National Park in the Palmetto State is a must-visit. Stroll along pathways among ancient trees in the largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the Southeastern U.S. Or, paddle through a 15-mile canoe trail leading through the cypress swamp. As far as national parks go, Congaree is every bit as lovely as the other 62 designated parks throughout the country. Be sure to stop by the visitor center for a trail map, and pack some bug spray in warmer months. Admission is free. This National Park in South Carolina is open 24/7, year-round.
Visit the former home site of one of the drafters of the American Constitution. Charles Pinckney not only signed the Constitution, but also went on to hold three terms (non-consecutive) as the Governor of South Carolina, as well as serving in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The site is only a small a portion of what remains of his sprawling estate, which was mostly converted into the nearby Snee Farm housing development. Admission is free. It's open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Monday and Tuesday. Get more info about this National historic site in South Carolina on the NPS webpage.
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, 1254 Long Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
Take the scenic drive over the causeway to beautiful Sullivans Island to visit Fort Moultrie, a National Historical Park on the site where forts provided protection for the Charleston harbor dating all the way back to the British occupation in 1780. The present structure is much newer, of course, but still deserving of a visit to learn about the fascinating history. Stop by the visitor's center and museum and take a guided or self-guided tour of Fort Moultrie. From the top, take note of the brick fortress in the harbor. Fort Sumter is the next stop on this national park units road trip! Be sure to take your time exploring this historical site in Virginia.
Take a short ferry ride over to explore Fort Sumter, a sea fort famous for its role in the American Civil War. Walk through the remains of the officer's quarters, see the damage, first-hand, that was the result of cannonballs being fired upon the fort and striking both the exterior and the interior. Visitors can take a guided tour, or wander freely throughout the space before catching the ferry back to Charleston. The boat departure schedule can be seen on the NPS website.
Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina 29412, USA
During the period of Reconstruction, millions of newly freed slaves were beginning to integrate within society. This newer national park unit was established in 2017 in the Beaufort area. Comprised of more than just one location, it focuses on preserving several historical sites including the Penn Center (the first all African American school for newly freed slaves), a church, firehouse, and the site at Port Royal where a gathering of nearly 3,000 newly freed slaves listened to the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation. To learn more about the sites included in the newly opened Reconstruction Era National Historic Site, make the Visitors Center in Beaufort your first stop. This National Historic Site in South Carolina will intrigue you every step of the way.
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, 706 Craven St, Beaufort, SC 29902, USA
Did you know there were so many National Parks to visit in South Carolina with historical significance? How many have you already explored?
What are your favorite National Parks to visit in South Carolina? For more of our state’s fascinating history, take a peek at these 12 random facts about South Carolina that you may not already know are true.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
National Parks to Visit in South Carolina
April 05, 2022
Tori Jane
What are the best parks in South Carolina for nature lovers?
Amazingly, there are seven National Parks and 47 state parks in South Carolina alone, making it a premier destination for hikers, campers, and everyone in between who loves a good day spent outdoors. Among the “best” - aka “most beloved” - state parks in Carolina are the amazing Table Rock State Park, which feels like a slice of heaven right here in our backyards, the Jones Gap State Park, which is excellent for lovers of waterfalls and fairy-tale scenery, Caesars Head State Park, which feels like a forestland paradise, and Paris Mountain State Park, which is near Greenville and features a breathtaking lake (among other things). The single most popular state park in South Carolina is Hunting Island State Park, which sees more than one million visitors every year. As for the best National Parks in South Carolina, there’s the incredible Congaree National Park, which is truly our little state at its best – a must-do for nature lovers.
What are some of the best things to do outside in South Carolina?
As we alluded to above, South Carolina is a wonderful place to be if you’re an outdoors enthusiast. There are all kinds of wonderful things to do outside in South Carolina, no matter where you’re located and what your preferred activities are. If you’re a fan of peaceful gardens, check out the Gardens at the South Carolina Governor’s mansion. Best of all, it’s free! Go and check out some of our fascinating covered bridges or take a hike at any of our (literally hundreds of) hiking trails. Indulge in our seven National Parks and 47 state parks, all of which offer up natural wonders, interesting history, and other benefits. Go camping, biking, or fishing; there are also places here where you can explore caves, and the world-famous Angel Oak tree is worth a gander as well.
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Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.
