Snowbirds flock to the expanse of South Carolina sand that kisses the Atlantic as if coming home to roost. Ocean breezes flutter awnings and the golf flags that forest Myrtle Beach. Waves shape the shores of Sullivans Island, Folly Beach and Isle of Palms and make beachcombers scurry. And the sun warms campsites and verandas on Hilton Head Island.
Yet as alluring — and inevitable — as a visit to the Atlantic Coast is, the jewels that provide South Carolina’s sparkle may just be its state parks. With most of the 80,000 acres ringing the state like a necklace, snowbirds can explore these gems almost endlessly before donning their golf duds and hitting a few of the more than 330 courses statewide.
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site commemorates the founding of the first permanent European settlement in the Carolinas more than 300 years ago. Both a historical site and a nature preserve, the park features a representative sailing vessel, an archaeological town site and a re-created 1670s settlement, as well as numerous animals and foot and bike paths.
Hamilton Branch State Recreation Area, in the state’s Western Piedmont Area, encompasses a scenic 731-acre peninsula. Visitors pursue swimming, boating and fishing on Strom Thurmond Lake. The spacious lakeside campsites allow plenty of room to relax while taking in the views and watching the wildlife.
In the northwest, Keowee-Toxaway State National Area sits among natural rock outcroppings and provides views of the foothills and the famed Blue Ridge Mountains. Streams wend around the rhododendron and mountain laurel. Fishing on Lake Keowee, hiking the trails and visiting the Cherokee Indian Museum can help fill the day in this 1,000-acre park.
Of course, these are just a few of the 46 South Carolina state parks. Visit them all, and you’ll most likely feel as though you’ve shot a hole in one. Call (888) 727-6453.
ANDERSON
Anderson/Lake Hartwell KOA
Facilities: Good gravel interior roads. Restrooms and showers; dump station; mobile sewer service; public phone; laundry; groceries; limited RV supplies; LP-gas; firewood. Sites:: 70 total, hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, mostly shaded; 59 pull-through (25×65); back-in (25×50); big-rig sites; some side-by-side hookups; 14 tent sites; 12 rental units. Modem hookup in office. Recreation: Pool; horseshoes; game room; playground. Contact:: 200 Wham Road, Anderson, South Carolina 29625; (864) 287-3161; www.koa.com.
Hartwell Four Seasons Campground
Facilities: Good gravel interior roads. Restrooms and showers; dump station; public phone; laundry; limited groceries; limited RV supplies; firewood. Sites:: 108 total , hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, mostly shaded; 60 pull-through (25×45); back-in (25×45); 12 tent sites; 8 rental units. Recreation: Lake Hartwell: freshwater fishing, boating, ramp, dock, rental. Pool; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room; planned activities; playground. Contact:: 400 Ponderosa Point Road, Townville, South Carolina 29689; (864) 287-3223. A Good Sam Park.
CHARLESTON
Oak Plantation Campground
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions. Restrooms and showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry; groceries; RV supplies; LP-gas. Sites:: 304 total, hookups (30/50 amps), 50 paved, 254 grass, mostly shaded; 143 pull-through (35×65); back-in (35×65); 30 tent sites. Modem hookup in office. Recreation: Pond, freshwater fishing, pool, playground. Contact:: 3540 Savannah Highway, Charleston, South Carolina 29455; (843) 766-5936.
FLORENCE
Florence KOA
Facilities: Good paved/dirt interior roads. Restrooms and showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry; groceries; RV supplies; LP-gas; firewood. Sites:: 130 total, hookups (30/50 amps), 75 grass, mostly shaded; 130 pull-through (28×65); big-rig sites; 14 tent sites; 6 rental units. Modem hookup in office; cable TV. Recreation: Pond, freshwater fishing and tackle, pool, horseshoes, recreation field, game room, playground. Contact:: 1115 E. Campground Road, Florence, South Carolina 29506; (843) 665-7007; www.koa.com. A Good Sam Park.
GAFFNEY
Pinecone Campground
Facilities: Good gravel interior roads. Restrooms and showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry; limited groceries; limited RV supplies; LP-gas; firewood. Sites:: 100 total, hookups (30/50 amps), 47 gravel, 29 grass, 24 dirt, mostly shaded; 49 pull-through (40×60); back-in (35×60); 10 tent sites; 2 rental units. Modem hookup in office. Recreation: Pond, freshwater fishing and tackle, pool, horseshoes, recreation hall, recreation field, game room. Contact:: 160 Sarratt School Road, Gaffney, South Carolina 29341; (864) 489-2022; [email protected]. A Good Sam Park.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND
Outdoor Resort/RV Resort & Yacht Club
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, no tents. Restrooms and showers; public phone; laundry; food service. Sites:: 200 total; 96 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), paved, patios, some shaded; back-in (25×55). Cable TV. Recreation: River, boating: ramp, dock, marina. Pool; spa; shuffleboard; playground. Contact:: P.O. Box 1585, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29925; (843) 681-3256.
Outdoor Resorts/Motorcoach Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, Class A and C motorhomes only. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites:: 401 total; 250 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), paved, patios, mostly shaded; back-in (40×60). Cable TV. Recreation: Pond, freshwater fishing. Pool; spa; adults room; shuffleboard; horseshoes; planned activities; playground. Contact:: 133 Arrow Road, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928; (800) 722-2365; www.outdoor-resorts.com.
MYRTLE BEACH
Myrtle Beach KOA
Facilities: Good paved interior roads. Restrooms and showers; dump station; public phone; laundry; groceries; RV supplies; LP-gas; firewood. Sites:: 540 total; 71 available hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, grass, dirt, some shaded; 47 pull-through (35×60); back-in (30×50); big-rig sites; 51 tent sites, 81 rental units. Modem hookup at site. Recreation: Pond, freshwater fishing and tackle. Heated pool; horseshoes; game room; planned activities; playground. Contact:: Business Highway 17, Fifth Avenue South, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577; (843) 448-3421.
Lakewood Camping Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions. Restrooms and showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry; groceries; limited RV supplies; LP-gas; firewood; food service. Sites:: 2,000 total, hookups (30/50 amps), 950 grass, 400 dirt, some shaded; 44 pull-through (30×60); back-in (27×50); big-rig sites; 54 rental units. Modem hookup at site; cable TV. Recreation: Ocean: saltwater fishing, swimming and tackle. Heated pool, spa; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; recreation field; game room; planned activities; playground. Contact:: 5901 South Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29575; (877) 525-3966; www.campingmyrtlebeach.com.
Ocean Lakes Family Campground
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry; groceries; RV supplies; LP-gas; food service. Sites:: 3,350 total; 753 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), grass, dirt, some shaded. Pull-through (30×55); back-in (22×50); big-rig sites; 250 rental units. Handicap access; modem hookup at site. Recreation: Ocean, saltwater fishing; freshwater fishing; tackle, swimming. Heated pool; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; recreation field; game room; planned activities; playground. Contact:: 6001 S. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29575; (800) 722-1451; www.oceanlakes.com.
SENECA
Crooked Creek RV Park
Facilities: Good paved interior roads. Restrooms and showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry; groceries; limited RV supplies; firewood. Sites:: 97 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel; pull-through (35×60); big-rig sites; 13 tent sites. Handicap access; modem hookup at site; cable TV. Recreation: Lake Keowee: freshwater fishing and tackle, swimming, boat ramp. Pool; horseshoes; recreation field; game room; playground. Contact:: 777 Arvee Lane, West Union, South Carolina 29696; (864) 882-5001. A Good Sam Park.
