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.

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