Andrew Jackson State Park is the very first of the SC State Parks I visited this year, for the sole reason that it is the closest. In fact, it's only about a 25 minute drive from my house, making it the closest of any park, North or South Carolina. Relatively small, with only two one-mile loop trails, this park is perfect for beginner hikers, families, and those who are just looking for a casual nature walk. The Crawford Trail takes you through a mixed forest of pine, cedar, and oak trees. You are likely to see birds, deer, and other wildlife on this trail. The Garden of the Waxhaws trail follows the edge of the fishing lake, taking you through both open and wooded areas. AJ State Park is the site of the homeplace of President Andrew Jackson and includes an 18th-century replica schoolhouse, as well as picnic areas, campgrounds, and fishing amenities. Need to Know:
Admission: $3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors; $1 children age 6-15; age 5 & younger free Park Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m., daily from Nov.1-March 31; 9 a.m.-9 p.m., daily April 1-Oct. 31 Camping: Yes Trails: 2
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The year 2020 gave me a lot of time to change up my hobbies. I've always been an outdoor-lover and hiking enthusiast but after moving to Charlotte, it took me several years to really feel comfortable seeking out and participating in hikes alone.
I'm thankful for the push I felt during 2020 to hike more and explore more of the Carolinas. And, as someone who really likes to cross things off as a count down to a goal, I was pretty stoked to find that both North and South Carolina State Parks offer a program for visiting all of the parks. While I live in NC, I have found that many of the SC parks are actually within a closer driving distance to me, and therefore set out on a journey to visit all of them. The SC program revolves around the Official Guide. Bring this guide with you to all of the 47 state parks, and get it stamped at each location. Each park features a unique stamp design that you can add to your guide. Once you have visited every park and have gotten each page stamped, you can get a Park Ranger to sign your book and you'll receive a commemorative t-shirt, thus officially titling yourself an Ultimate Outsider! Visit the SC State Parks page for more information. You can print your own copy of the guide, or pick up a free copy in the visitor's center at any of the parks. Below are all 47 of the South Carolina State Parks. I will update the list as I visit with * - be sure to check back for posts on my experience of each one! Aiken State Park * Andrew Jackson State Park Baker Creek State Park Barnwell State Park Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site Battle of Rivers Bridge State Historic Site Caesars Head State Park Calhoun Falls State Park Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site Cheraw State Park Chester State Park Colleton State Park Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site Croft State Park Devils Fork State Park Dreher Island State Park Edisto Beach State Park Givhans Ferry State Park *Goodale State Park H. Cooper Blac Memorial Field Trial and Recreation Area Hamilton Branch State Park Hampton Plantation State Historic Site Hickory Knob State Park Resort Hunting Island State Park Huntington Beach State Park Jones Gap State Park * Keowee-Toxaway State Park * Kings Mountain State Park Lake Greenwood State Park Lake Hartwell State Park Lake Warren State Park * Lake Wateree State Park * Landsford Canal State Park Lee State Park Little Pee Dee State Park Myrtle Beach State Park Oconee State Park Oconee Station State Historic Site Paris Mountain State Park Poinsett State Park Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site Sadlers Creek State Park Santee State Park * Sesquicentennial State Park Table Rock State Park Woods Bay State Park |
AuthorI like hidden gems, hole-in-the-walls, and offbeat destinations Archives
April 2021
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