SOUTH CAROLINA STATE PARKS
1205 Pendelton St.
Columbia, SC 29201
888/88PARKS (toll-free)
803/758-3622
Internet: <http://www.southcarolinaparks.com>
Many South Carolina State Parks promote special programs within the parks year around, from music festivals to natural history, from arts and crafts to backpacking trips. Write for a schedule of programs to the above address, c/o Special Programs Section. There are 50 parks in the SC system, encompassing 80,000 areas, many with cabin rentals. Many new parks are in the planning. There are 14 parks with over 100 cabins system-wide, open year around. Many have lake front or ocean front settings. All are completely furnished, attractively decorated, AC and heated. Furnishings include electric ranges, refrigerators, dishes, cooking utensils, silverware, linens, and bedding. Many cabins have redwood decks, screened porches, free-standing or stone fireplaces and bedroom lofts.
No pets are allowed in cabins. Persons making reservations in person with cabin deposit have second priority. Phone calls have third priority, and later mail requests have fourth priority. For Edisto Beach, Hunting Island, Keowee-Toxaway, Myrtle Beach, Oconee, and Table Rock, one week reservations only from Monday to Monday. Reservations are usually on a 3-day basis for other parks. A $50 deposit is required to secure cabins for week-long stays and $25 for less than a week stay, or a 50% deposit. Many of the parks reduce their hours and days of operation during the fall and winter. Check with each park before staying there to find out about any changes in operation. South Carolina parks are listed according to area: Upcountry, Midlands, or Low Country.
Other facts you need to know: Firewood is available for a nominal fee at cabins with fireplaces. Check-in time is 4 p.m. (3 p.m. at Hickory Knob). The maximum capacity at each cabin cannot be exceeded. The deposit for a cabin when staying more than one night is 50% of the total rental fee. The deposit of rental of just one night is the total rental fee. The lodge rooms and the Guillebeau House at Hickory Knob require at least one night’s deposit. The maximum length of stay at any one park is two weeks.
The following parks rent only by the week from Memorial Day to Labor Day (summer): Devil’s Fork, Dreber Island, Edisto beach, Hickory Knob, Hunting Island, Keowee-Toxaway, Myrtle Beach, Oconee, Santee and Table Rock. Rental usually runs from Monday to Monday or Friday to Friday. Only one reservation may be made for any cabin during the summer. On July 15, reservations may be made for one or two week nights for vacancies that exist from August 15 to Labor Day. Reservations at Barnwell, Cheraw, Givhans Ferry, and Poinsett can be made anytime for stays up to two weeks. Short term rentals of one 2, 3, nights are usually over the weekends. Cancellations must be made 15 days in advance of reservation, and may be subject to a handling fee.
Park Activities: Many of the SC parks offer unique mountain and seashore programs such as The Pioneer Days/Muzzleloaders Conclave, Fall Backpacking Programs, Christmas on the Farm, Mushrooms of the Mountains, Cherokee Myths and Legends, Hiking the Dismal, and Eagles on Jocassee.
UPCOUNTRY: A nice highway to drive in the Upcountry is SC 11, off I-85, with many state parks along the route. Known as the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, the route accesses 10 state parks in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering some of the best recreational activities in SC.
Be sure to visit Clemson and Furman Universities, King Mountain National Military Park, Cowpens National Battlefield, Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel, Whitewater and Raven Cliff Falls, Old Stone Church, Pretty Place Chapel, and the Bob Jones University Art Gallery.
DEVILS FORK STATE PARK
161 Holcombe Circle
Salem, SC 29676
864/944-2639
This is one of South Carolina’s newest cabin areas. The 644-acre park offers 20 new wheelchair accessible cabins. There is a picnic area, playground, with equipment, nature and hiking trails, boat ramp, interpretive programs and a park store. Weekend rates range from $225-$300 per cabin for a two-night stay. Nightly rates range from $90 to $120, depending on the cabin location.
HICKORY KNOB RESORT
Route 1, Box 199B
McCormick, SC 29835
800/491-1764.
The park is off US. 378, 8 miles W of McCormick, 30 miles from Greenwood, SC. The park offers a 6,560-yard, 18-hole golf course with a PGA rating of 72.1. You can enjoy swimming, tennis, fishing, boating, archery, hunting, and skeet and trap shooting at the park; a year-round activities director is on staff. There are also many hiking trails through the tall pines. Hunt for deer, turkey, dove, quail and squirrel in nearby Sumter National Forest.
The 18 cabins and 80 lodge rooms are available year around. The cabins sleep up to 6 and rent for $40-$80 a night, or $330-$480 a week, depending on cabin location. The cabins have 2 double beds, and a sofa bed in the living room. Nine cabins have color TV, and telephones. Cabins are rented for 1-week periods only during the summer months of June-Aug. The Hickory Knob Lodge has poolside and lake-view rooms.. Each additional adult is extra. The park encompasses over 1,000 acres. Many of the rooms are wheelchair accessible.
KEOWEE-TOXAWAY STATE PARK
108 Residence Drive
Sunset, SC 29685
864/868-2605.
This beautiful SC park is located on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (SC11), 15 miles N of Pickens at Lake Keowee. The park is in the NW corner of the state, along the foothills of the Appalachian highlands. The Cherokee Indians once lived in the area. The 1,000-acre park offers hiking, fishing, swimming, an interpretive center, and four outdoor exhibit buildings. A short nature trail connects the buildings. There is only 1 cabin at the park, with 3 bedrooms, open year around. The cabin sleeps 10 and has 2 fireplaces. No wheelchair accessibility at the cabins. The park has an archery range, shelter and nature trails. Fishing on rivers and lakes is also fun here. The historic park has an interpretive facility. There is a "Meeting House" near the cabin with kitchen, restrooms, and woodstove for family gatherings and business meetings. Nearby are Oconee and Table Rock State Parks. Cabins rent for $100 per night, $300 for two night weekends, and $600 for the week.
OCONEE STATE PARK
624 State Park Road
Mountain Rest, SC29664;
864/638-5353.
The park is located on SC 107, 12 miles NW of Walhalla, on a high plateau between Stump House Mountain and Station Mountain in NW SC. The 1,165-acre park is in the Andrew Pickens District of Sumter National Forest, and offers scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A 20-acre lake, fed by 2 mountain streams, is stocked with bass and bream, with grassy beaches for swimming. There are 215 miles of trails in use, with more miles added all the time. During the summer there are nature activities, and square dances are held regularly in The Barn. Play carpet golf, or rent a pedal boat. There is a small store for convenience. To the W of the park is the Chattooga River, a National Wild and Scenic River.
There are two groups of family cabins tucked beneath the pines, wild cherry, holly, poplar, elm, dogwood and sweetgum trees bordering the lake. Another group of cabins is located in a more remote section of the park. In all there are 19 cabins, open year around, completely furnished with kitchens, stoves, refrigerators, showers, AC, and heat. All have fireplaces and several have sleeping lofts. All cabins are wheel chair accessible. There is an archery range and pool., fishing and non-motorized boat rentals. The interpretive center is seasonal The cabin rental fees depend on locations. Per night rates range from $50, $55, $64. The weekend rates range from $150, $165, $192. The weekly rates range from $300, $330, $384.
TABLE ROCK STATE PARK
246 Table Rock State Park Rd.
Pickens, SC 29671
864/878-9813.
The park is located on SC 11, 16 miles N of Pickens. The white man named the area Table Rock, but the Indians referred to it as the Great Blue Hills of God. The area is packed with clear mountain streams, and legend has it that the Great Spirit dined on the flat mountain. The area became a state park in 1935. The 3,069 acres of mountains and valleys is filled with mountain laurel, dogwood and rhododendron. Pinnacle Lake is the center of the park, with 36 acres for fishing, boating and swimming. Near the lake are picnic areas, a carpet golf course, hiking trails, and a nature center. The Table Rock Lodge Restaurant near the E gate of the park is open year around from Tuesday to Sunday, with great home-cooked meals. There are 12 standard vacation cabins a short distance from the lake. Three other cabins are located throughout the park, 2 near the White Oaks picnic area and 1 between the E and W gates. All cabins are furnished with stoves, refrigerators, and showers. All are wheelchair accessible. Rates range on cabin location. The per night rates range from $50, $53, $58, $66, $80. The weekend rates range from $150, $159, $174, $198, $240. The weekly rates ranges from $300. $318, $348, $386, $480.
MIDLANDS:
BARNWELI, STATE PARK
223 State Park Rd.
Blackville, SC 29817
803/284-2212.
Located on SC 3, 7 miles NE of Barnwell. The 307-acre park offers campsites, hiking, fishing and swimming, and non-motorized rental boats. The 5 cabins have stoves, refrigerators, AC, heat, and showers. Each cabin sleeps 6, and rents for $40 per night, $120 for weekends, and $240 by the week. There is a also a picnic area, nature trails, meeting facilities rentals.
CHERAW STATE PARK
100 State Park Road
Cheraw, SC 29520
800/868-9620.
The park is on US 1, 4 miles SW of Cheraw. Cheraw is the first state park in SC, situated in the Sandhills region. Picnic areas and a 25-site camping area is along Lake Jupiter, which is used for fishing, boating and swimming. A flock of Canadian geese spend the winter in the park. In the W part of the park is the Dogwood Self-Interpretive Nature Trail encircling Lake Cherokee. Adjoining the park is the Cheraw State Fish Hatchery. Also nearby is the Sandhills State Forest on U.S. 1, offering hunting, hiking and nature programs, and 13 ponds within the forest. In the area is Sugar Loaf Mountain, great for hiking and fishing. The park has 8 cabins, each with 2 beds, couch, shower, refrigerators, stove, utensils, and linens. The cabins rent for $55 per night, $164 on the weekends, and $320 for a week. This is a horse person’s delight because the park has a bridle trail stable and show ring. There is also golf and tennis, and a swimming area, meeting facilities, and non-motorized boat rentals.
DREHER ISLAND STATE PARK
3677 State Park Rd.
Prosperity, SC 29127
803/364-4152.
Dreher Island State Park is located on Lake Murray, near Columbia. The 50,000-acre lake covers 78 square miles and is great for fishing, boating, water-skiing, sailing, camping and picnicking. The park features 5 vacation cabins, all located on the shoreline. These "Island Villas" are split level and all have furnishings. Each has 2 baths, a screened porch, balcony, fireplace, beamed ceilings, hardwood floors, TV, and appliances. The 2 bedroom units sleep 6 and the 3-bedroom villas sleep up to 8 people. All are wheelchair accessible. The 300+ acre park offers a picnic shelter area, swimming, nature trails, boat ramp and fishing, seasonal interpretive programs and a small parking fee. Cabins rent by location. Per night rates range from $100-$115. Weekend rates range from $250.00-$287.50. No weekly rates.
POINSETT STATE PARK
6660 Poinsett Park Rd.
Wedgefield, SC 29168
803/494-8177 or 494/8192
Although the park, located off SC 261, 18 miles SW of Sumter, lies between the sandhills and the coastal plain of SC, it resembles a mountain forest area. Mountain laurel, galax and other plants grow here. Nearby is Wateree Swamp, filled with dense foliage and tall trees. The ocean once covered the area, and many of the bathhouses and other structures are built of ocean shells, called coquina. The 1,000-acre park includes a lake constructed before the American Revolution, great for fishing. The nature museum is near the bathhouse and canteen complex. There are 4 vacation cabins at the park, open year around on a first-come, first-served basis. Two cabins sleep 4, the others sleep 6. Each is heated, AC, and fully furnished with refrigerator, stove, and shower. None of the cabins are wheelchair accessible. Cabins rent by locations or number of occupants. The per night rates range from $35-$40. The weekend rates range from $105-$120. The weekly rates range from $210-$240. The park has a equestrian center and bridle trails. Just bring your horse. There is a playground, picnic area, nature trails, non-motorized boat rentals, a seasonal interpretive center, and parking fees.
SANTEE STATE PARK
251 State Park Rd., Santee, SC 29142
803/854-2408.
The park is located off SC 6, 3 miles NW of Santee, on the banks of Lake Marion in Santee-Cooper Country, an area known for its striped bass and the world’s record black crappie and channel catfish. There are thousands of acres of timberland in the area filled with deer, turkey, dove, pheasants, geese, ducks, rabbits and squirrels. Several Civil War battle sites and early era churches and homes are in the area. There is swimming, tennis, rental pedal boats and fishing boats, nature trails, summer nature programs, and rental bicycles. Nearby, outside the park, are the Santee Indian Mounds, Fort Watson, the Santee National Wildlife Refuge, and the National Audubon Society Refuge in Four Holes Swamp.
The 30 round cabins are very modern, and are located on the shores of Lake Marion. Twenty of the cabins have been constructed in dense, moss-draped wooded areas. Ten cabins are on piers with boat docking facilities. The cabins are furnished with refrigerators, stoves, showers, heat and AC. All are wheelchair accessible. They are very comfortable, sleeping 6, and can be reserved for 1 week periods from Monday to Monday. Cabins may be rented for less than a week if vacancies exist, and also from Labor Day to June 1. Reservations for Saturday night only may be made after 4 pm the Friday before. There is also a 100-seat "Village Round" meeting building with kitchenettes and covered barbecue shelters in the Rondette Area. The cabins are classified as Pier Rondettes or Land cabins. MC and Visa accepted. There is a tackle shop and restaurant at the park. There is also golf at the park, nature trails, swimming, boat ramp, interpretive programs, interpretive center, restaurant and snack bar, tackle shop, meeting facilities, and parking fees. Per night rates are $60, including weekend nights. The weekly rate runs $360.
LOW COUNTRY
EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK
8377 State Cabin Road
Edisto Island, SC 29438
843/869-2156/2756
The park is located on SC 174, 50 miles SE of Charleston. It features tall palmetto trees, sand dunes, wooded areas and a sandy beach along the Atlantic Ocean. The 1,255-acre park is great for beach combing for shells and relics left by the Edisto Indians. Hike on the Indian Mound Self-Interpretive Trail and observe the sub-tropical fauna and flora. Surf fish for bass, trout, whiting and sheepshead, or try your hand at carpet golf, ocean swimming and hiking. Nearby are historic Beaufort, and Charleston, the state’s oldest city. There are 5 two-bedroom vacation cabins secluded in a quiet wooded area overlooking the salt marsh and Scott Creek. Each cabin has a kitchen, stove, refrigerator, shower, utensils, and linens. All cabins are wheelchair accessible. There is also golf and tennis. The park also has a store/gift shop, and an interpretive center. Per night rates are $55, weekend rates are $165, and weekly rates are $330.
GIVHANS FERRY STATE PARK
746 Givhans Ferry Road
Ridgeville, SC 29472
843/873-0692
This park, located on SC 61,16 miles W of Summerville, is on the scenic Edisto River. The 988-acre park offers swimming, camping, hiking, and fishing. There are 4 cabins in the park, with kitchens and showers. None of the cabins are wheelchair accessible. There is a picnic area, nature trials, and fishing on the river. The park offers meeting facilities. The per night rates are $40, weekend rates are $120, and the weekly rates $240.
HUNTING ISLAND STATE PARK
2555 Sea Island Parkway
Hunting Island, SC 29920
843/237-4440.
The park is on US 21, 16 miles E of Beaufort, SC. This is one of the most popular South Carolina State Parks, attracting over 1 million visitors a year. The park is 3 miles long and 1 mile wide, with 5,000 acres of beach, forest and marsh. The island once was used for hunting deer and waterfowl, hence its name. The large barrier island is a semi-tropical paradise, with abundant wildlife. The 3 miles of beach are covered with dune vegetation, maritime forests and a salt marsh. Observe the 125 species of birds, or hike the 2-mile nature trail to the 136-hole lighthouse, built in 1878 as a beacon for ships entering St. Helena Sound. Other activities include fishing, swimming and summer nature programs. There are 15 vacation cabins within walking distance of the ocean. The cabins are fully equipped with kitchens, showers, heat and AC, most have 2-3 bedrooms with sleeping capacity from 6-10 people. All are wheelchair accessible. Weekly rentals only from Monday to Monday at $275 a week. There is also a picnic area, nature trails, ocean fishing, boat ramp and boat slips, interpretive programs, interpretive center, park store, gift shop.
There is a wide range of rates at Hunting Island cabins, but the per night rates on most cabins are $66, $90 and $105. Weekend rates range from $198 - $270, and one cabin at $315. The weekend rates range from $396, $540 and one at $630.
MYRTLE BEACH STATE PARK
4401 S. Kings Hwy.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29575
843/238-5325
The ocean-side park is located in South Carolina’s Grand Strand, 3 miles S of Myrtle Beach. The 312-acre park is one of the last natural areas left along the NC/SC coastline. The CCC constructed the park in the 1930’s, and it was used for coastal defenses in World War II. The area is abundant with natural beauty, which once extended the entire length of the Grand Strand. There are organized nature programs at the park in the summer, and beach and pool swimming with lifeguards on duty. Surf fishing from the pier is very popular. At the entrance to the park are 2 rental apartments. The largest apartment sleeps 8, the smaller sleeps 3. A connecting door between the apartments allows a total - 13 persons. The 5 vacation cabins are within easy walking distance of the ocean. All are fully equipped with AC and heat, and open year around. Linens are furnished. The cabins have 2 bedrooms and sleep up to 6,. The park has nature trails, picnic area, ocean and pool swimming, ocean fishing, fishing pier, interpretive programs nature center, park store and gift shop. Cabin rates range per night from $40-$61, or weekends from $120-$183, and weekly from $240-$266.