From the sunken cypress forests of Congaree Nationwide Park to the intriguing Star Fort in Ninety Six Nationwide Historic Web site, South Carolina Nationwide Parks promise equal elements nature retreats and interesting historical past. Lovely hikes, historic trails and well-preserved insights into 18th-century life greet you at each Nationwide Park website, and there’s little question you’ll end your go to with a larger appreciation of American historical past.
South Carolina’s most well-known Nationwide park, and nonetheless extensively unknown, is Congaree Nationwide Park. Right here you’ll be able to kayak down quaint river trails or persist with dry land and discover one of many many forest trails. Different Nationwide Park websites, together with Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie Nationwide Historic Park and the Reconstruction Period Nationwide Historic Park, showcase the state’s previous struggles in the course of the American Revolution and Civil Struggle.
When you’re able to stroll within the footsteps of Loyalists, Patriots, Confederates and Union troopers and take a glimpse into the early days of america’ independence, there’s no higher place than South Carolina’s Nationwide Parks. Pack your luggage and convey an open thoughts, and prepare to take a deep dive into the historical past of South Carolina. There’s actually no different state fairly prefer it!
South Carolina Nationwide Parks
1- Congaree Nationwide Park
You’re most likely not alone for those who haven’t heard of this hidden gem.
Congaree ranks because the tenth least visited Nationwide Parks in america, that means your likelihood is excessive you’ll get to take pleasure in its magnificent hardwood forests and quiet river trails with out one other soul round.
Whereas most guests come to take pleasure in mountaineering, fishing, tenting and kayaking alongside the Congaree and Wateree Rivers, the land has an extended historical past of residents.
Native Individuals have been the primary to settle the Congaree flood plains, adopted by enslaved African Individuals utilizing the land as a refuge.
There’s little proof of Congaree’s previous left, however whereas floating down the mild rivers, it’s straightforward to think about the abundance of meals and security the land provided.
Issues To Do In Congaree Nationwide Park
One of the best ways to find Congaree Nationwide Park is by canoe or kayak, however the park doesn’t lease out water gear, so that you’ll must deliver your individual or lease one from an clothes shop in Columbia.
Then, drop your kayak or canoe in at Bannister’s Bridge, and you may journey 15 miles (24 kilometres) via the Congaree Wilderness to the Congaree River.
With no modern-day sounds round, chicken songs take over, making a soundtrack like no different.
When you choose dry land, there are quite a few lovely hikes round Congaree Nationwide Park.
A must-do, if it’s your first time within the park, is the Boardwalk Loop Path.
The path begins on the Harry Hampton Customer Middle and winds 2.6 miles (4.2 kilometres) via tall hardwood timber and underwater cypress forests.
For one thing a bit tougher and to identify deer and wild turkey, the 7.1 miles (11.4 kilometres) Oakridge Path brings you alongside an oak tree-covered ridge and down into wildlife-filled low-lying marshes.
Bear in mind, all the Congaree Nationwide Park is susceptible to flooding, so at all times test in on the customer centre to make sure your chosen path is open.
How To Get To Congaree Nationwide Park
Positioned simply 20 miles (32 kilometres) south of Columbia, the simplest option to get to Congaree Nationwide Park is to fly into Columbia Metropolitan Airport after which take SC-48 E right down to the park.
It’s additionally attainable to fly into Charleston Worldwide Airport; from right here, it’s slightly below a two-hour drive northwest on I-26 W.
Congaree Nationwide Park is at 100 Nationwide Park Highway, Hopkins, South Carolina 29061
2- Charles Pinckney Nationwide Historic Web site
A go to to the Charles Pinckney Nationwide Historic Web site is a should to get an in-depth view of life within the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Charles Pinckney himself was an creator and signatory of the U.S. Structure and had important political affect main as much as the Civil Struggle.
His plantation, Snee Farm, was dwelling to dozens of enslaved African Individuals, and quite a few artefacts and relics can nonetheless be seen across the Nationwide Historic Web site as we speak.
Issues To Do In Charles Pinckney Nationwide Historic Web site
You received’t want a lot time to expertise Charles Pinckney Nationwide Historic Web site, as you’ll be able to discover all the 25 acres (10 hectares) property in simply an hour or two.
Watch brief movies detailing the location’s intriguing historical past and take a look at archaeology shows and displays on the customer centre.
After, head out on the character path that encompasses a decorative backyard and exquisite forests of oak timber.
How To Get To Charles Pinckney Nationwide Historic Web site
Charles Pinckney Nationwide Historic Web site sits simply 20 minutes outdoors of Charleston.
When you’re flying in, Charleston Worldwide Airport is the closest airport, and from right here, hop on I-526 W for 15 miles (24 kilometres), and also you’ll attain Charles Pinckney.
Charles Pinckney Nationwide Historic Web site is at 1254 Lengthy Level Highway, Mount Nice, South Carolina 29464.
3- Cowpens Nationwide Battlefield
Cowpens Nationwide Battlefield takes guests proper again to the late days of the American Revolution when on January 17, 1781, the Southern Marketing campaign received an essential battle towards the British.
The battle occurred on basic South Carolina pastureland, in any other case referred to as cowpens, and ever since Normal Daniel Morgan received the battle, the identify cowpen has caught.
At present, 791 acres (320 hectares) have been put aside to honour those that fought in battle and helped pave the best way for the defeat of the British forces.
Issues To Do In Cowpens Nationwide Battlefield
Like Charles Pinckney Nationwide Historic Web site, many issues to do in Cowpens Nationwide Battlefied deal with the area’s attention-grabbing historical past.
Begin your battlefield tour on the customer centre, the place you’ll be able to learn up on the park, watch an 18-minute movie, take a look at a small museum and bookstore, and chat with rangers and volunteers.
Subsequent, wander the grounds on the 1.2-mile (2-kilometre) Battlefield Path, which takes you to the Washington Mild Infantry Monument and alongside the historic Inexperienced River Highway.
There are a number of picnic tables, so pack some meals and luxuriate in lunch on the battlefield.
How To Get To Cowpens Nationwide Battlefield
Positioned on the very high of South Carolina, the closest airport to Cowpens Nationwide Battlefield is the Greenville-Spartanburg Worldwide Airport. From right here, it’s a simple 45-minute drive east alongside I-85 N.
Cowpens Nationwide Battlefield Customer Middle is at 4001 Chesnee Hwy, Gaffney, South Carolina 29341.
4- Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie Nationwide Historic Park
Positioned on the coast of South Carolina, defending Charleston from naval invasion, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie’s first function was to cease the British invasion in the course of the American Revolution.
It was additionally right here that the Battle of Fort Sumter started the Civil Struggle.
To achieve Fort Sumter, you’ll must board a ferry (personal boats are usually not allowed), and after a thirty-minute journey, you’ll attain the doorway.
Because the forts are not lively, you’ll be able to roam the grounds, go to museums and find out about their attention-grabbing historical past.
Issues To Do At Fort Sumter And Fort Moultrie Nationwide Historic Park
Earlier than hopping on the ferry, spend time on the Liberty Sq. Customer Schooling Middle.
Completely different displays painting the disagreements between the North and the South, finally resulting in the Civil Struggle.
When you’ve arrived by ferry to Fort Sumter, one other museum takes a deeper look into how the fort was used in the course of the struggle, as each the North and the South claimed the fort as their very own.
Throughout Charleston Harbor at Fort Moultrie, guided excursions deliver you on a journey via historical past from the fort’s begin in 1776 to its use throughout World Struggle II.
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie are protected historic websites, so mountaineering and nature trails are restricted right here.
How To Get To Fort Sumter And Fort Moultrie Nationwide Historic Park
To get to Fort Sumter, first head to the Fort Sumter Customer Schooling Middle positioned in downtown Charleston. From right here, you’ll be able to board a concession-operated 30-minute ferry to Fort Sumter.
Fort Moultrie is 10 miles (16 kilometres) from downtown Charleston on SC-703E. For both Fort Sumter or Fort Moultrie, fly into Charleston Worldwide Airport.
Fort Sumter Customer Schooling Middle is at 340 Harmony Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina 29401
5- Kings Mountain Nationwide Navy Park
Overlaying 4,000 acres (1600 hectares), Kings Mountain Nationwide Navy Park is likely one of the USA’s largest nationwide army parks and gives guests each an in-depth look into Revolutionary Struggle historical past and miles of nature trails to take pleasure in.
Its well-known battle, which occurred on October 7, 1780, between all-American troops divided between Patriots and the Loyalists, was a significant turning level for America and Thomas Jefferson himself coined the battle “The flip of the tide of success.”
Issues To Do At Kings Mountain Nationwide Navy Park
Whether or not you’re desirous about historical past or not, you’ll discover Kings Mountain Nationwide Navy Park bursting filled with attention-grabbing historical past and loads of trails to stretch the legs.
You’ll want to cease in on the Customer Middle first to take a look at an informative movie and a museum housing weaponry straight from the Revolutionary Struggle.
Subsequent, head out on the 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometre) Battlefield Path, which showcases displays from each the Patriots and Loyalists and the Centennial Monument, U.S. Monument and Ferguson’s Grave.
The Battlefield Path can also be wheelchair accessible and ideal for all the household.
If you wish to get extra off-the-beaten-path, take a look at your endurance on the Browns Mountain Path, which takes you 2.5 miles (4 kilometres) and 751 toes (229 metres) up via a quaint forest to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the hills of South Carolina.
It’s additionally attainable to remain the evening in Kings Mountain Nationwide Navy Park at Garner Creek Campsite.
Receive your free allow on the customer centre after which it’s a 3-mile (4.8-kilometre) hike to the campsite.
How To Get To Kings Mountain Nationwide Park
You’ll discover the spectacular Kings Mountain Nationwide Park proper on the border of North and South Carolina. The closest main airport is the Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport, positioned in Charlotte, North Carolina. From the airport, you’ll be able to anticipate a 40-minute drive alongside I-85 S to succeed in Kings Mountain.
Kings Mountain Nationwide Park is positioned at 2300 Park Highway, Blacksburg, South Carolina 29702
6- Ninety Six Nationwide Historic Web site
Whereas the decision continues to be out as to how Ninety Six received its identify, one factor is obvious – it performed an essential function within the American Revolution.
It’s right here you’ll be able to see the unique Star Fort, constructed between 1780 and 1781 by Loyalist troopers, whose engineer needed an eight-point star so the military may hearth muskets and cannons in all instructions.
After all, the fort is not lively, however visiting the Ninety Six Nationwide Historic Web site is effectively value your time to study the 18th-century historical past of South Carolina.
Issues To Do At Ninety Six Nationwide Historic Web site
To completely perceive what you’re about to see, make sure you spend a while on the customer centre, which has details about the park and the battles that occurred right here, together with a live-action movie, museum and bookstore.
Subsequent, head out on the straightforward 1-mile (1.6-kilometre) Historic Interpretive Path, which takes you previous the unique Star Fort, reconstructed siege works and the outdated city website of Ninety Six.
When you’re sport for an extended hike, take a look at the Cherokee Path and Gouedy Path.
How To Get To Ninety Six Nationwide Historic Web site
The closest airport to Ninety Six Nationwide Historic Web site is the Greenville-Spartanburg Worldwide Airport.
From right here, anticipate a 90-minute drive south alongside I-385 S. Ninety Six Nationwide Historic Web site can also be a 90-minute drive west from Columbia alongside I-26W and SC-34W.
Ninety Six Nationwide Historic Web site is positioned at 1101 Hwy 248, Ninety Six, South Carolina 29666
7- Reconstruction Period Nationwide Historic Park
It’s not typically Nationwide Park service areas include hefty disputes, however within the case of the Reconstruction Period Nationwide Historic Park, that is exactly the reality.
Solely established lately in January 2017 by President Barack Obama, the monument represents the making an attempt instances america discovered itself in after the Civil Struggle.
For 15 years earlier than it was established, the monument was efficiently opposed by a nonprofit organisation, the Sons of Accomplice Veterans.
At present, Reconstruction Period Nationwide Historic Park is dwelling to 4 historic websites, together with an early college for previously enslaved folks, a brick baptist church, an outdated firehouse and Camp Saxton.
Issues To Do At Reconstruction Period Nationwide Historic Park
Because the Reconstruction Period Nationwide Historic Park’s major focus is on the months and years after the Civil Struggle ended, it shouldn’t be a shock that the majority issues to do right here contain testing the numerous attention-grabbing historic websites and studying about life within the 1860s.
When you don’t have time to take a look at all of the totally different buildings, make sure you spend time on the Penn Middle, dwelling to a museum and welcome centre and Camp Saxton, the place park rangers lead excursions across the website of the Emancipation Proclamation.
How To Get To Reconstruction Period Nationwide Historic Park
Positioned within the charming city of Beaufort, Reconstruction Period Nationwide Historic Park is a simple 90-minute drive from Charleston Internation Airport. Or, for a good shorter drive, you too can fly into the Savannah/Hilton Head Worldwide Airport and drive northeast for one hour alongside SC-170 E.
Reconstruction Period Nationwide Historic Park is positioned at 706 Craven Avenue, Beaufort, South Carolina
8- Overmountain Victory Nationwide Historic Path
Positioned all through Virginia, Tennesse, North Carolina and South Carolina, the Overmountain Victory Nationwide Historic Path encompasses a 330-mile (530-kilometre) route used in the course of the Kings Mountain marketing campaign.
Whereas most of this path follows state highways, there are additionally 87 miles (140 kilometres) of walkable pathways, together with the final leg to Kings Mountain in South Carolina.
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