From swampy wetlands and towering deciduous forests to historical battlefields, South Carolina
has a variety of national parks worth visiting, including Congaree, Fort Sumter/Fort Moultrie, Kings Mountain National Military Park, and Ninety-Six National Historic Site. Road trips to national parks are the epitome of American vacations. Still, not every state has them—which makes it all the more special that South Carolina has the most extensive park dedicated to preserving old-growth forests in the Southeastern U.S.
Here to guide you through the marshy wetlands and historic battlefields is the car insurance
comparison super app
, Jerry
. We’ll go over everything you need to know to plan a road trip to these fantastic destinations—including how to find the right car insurance to protect your travels. 
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Congaree National Park
Location: Hopkins
, South Carolina Hours of operation: 24 hours a day, year-round
Admission price: Free, no cost
What makes Congaree so special?
Congaree is home to the largest expanse of intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. The Congaree swamp lands became a national park in 2003 and cover 35 square miles.
Across 20,000 acres, Congaree boasts amazing biodiversity with giant trees that create one of the tallest canopies in the world. You may see a Pileated Woodpecker, box turtles, wild boars, or even alligators if you wait carefully!
What to do in Congaree National Park
Be sure to bring your binoculars—Congaree is a wildlife watcher’s paradise! This park is home to over 200 bird species, 75 species of reptiles/amphibians, and over 50 species of fish like alligator gar, bowfin, and catfish.
You’ll also find noteworthy animals like river otters, armadillos, bobcats, and deer. Here are the best ways to experience the park:
Hiking: Whether you prefer to explore deeper into the backcountry or keep close to the boardwalk, you’ll find plenty of trails
to keep you busy. Canoe and paddle sport: You’ll get the most intimate park experience from the water on a canoe or kayak. As you paddle
through the primeval old-growth forest, keep your eyes peeled for river otters, wading birds, and an occasional alligator. Camping: Extend your stay in the park by tent camping. You can use either backpack to backcountry campgrounds or paddle to your campsite. Just make sure you’ve made a reservation
. Fishing: Visitors to the park may fish if they have up-to-date fishing licenses
—no motorboats allowed! Ranger-lead programs: Congaree offers regular discussions and educational programs by rangers stationed at the park. Be sure to check the schedule
to see what’s happening during your stay.
When to visit Congaree National Park
Congaree park is open every day, all year round. If you’re visiting South Carolina for the first time, you’ll want to avoid visiting during the summer, when temperatures, humidity, and mosquito counts are highest.
To avoid the summer heat and humidity (and the biting insects!), plan your visit between March and May, when the average daily temperature is in the 70s.
You can also avoid the heat by coming between September and November. If you’re into paddle sports, the water levels of Cedar Creek are optimal in the fall.
Pro Tip Plan your trip around the end of October or early November if you want to see the fall colors in all their glory.
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie
Location: Fort Sumter is located in the Charleston Harbor and is only accessible via ferry boat. Ferries depart daily from the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center and Patriots Point. Fort Moultrie can be accessed by car from 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island.
Hours of operation: Fort Sumter’s concession ferries depart daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Fort Moultrie is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Note that the docks close at 4 pm.
Admission: Fort Sumter charges $32 for the ferry fee. Fort Moultrie is $10 per adult; children under 15 years old are free.
The concessional ferry providers do not honor the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass for the cost of the ferry ride.
What makes Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie so special?
Fort Sumter was built in 1829 on an island in Charleston
Harbor, South Carolina. The first shots in the Civil War were fired here on April 12, 1861, when Confederate soldiers led by General Pierre Beauregard attacked the Union garrison. Fort Moultrie, originally named “Fort Sullivan,” was first constructed in 1776 as a defensive fortification for the Charleston Harbor in South Carolina. The fort was attacked by the British Royal Navy on June 28, 1776, while the fort was still under construction.
The square fort was built using palmetto logs that did not crack during the barrage but absorbed the blows from cannon fire. Commander William Moultrie and his 400 men fought in a day-long battle, severely damaged the Royal Navy ships, and drove them from the harbor. The fort was renamed in honor of William Moultrie, the commanding Patriot officer.
Locals in Charleston celebrate “Carolina Day” to memorialize the courageous defenders of the fort.
What to do in Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie
Both forts are designated historical and memorial sites and, as such, have limited recreational activities out of respect for the lives lost there.
Visitors can follow self-guided tours or take tours from rangers at both locations. When you first arrive at either fort, check out the visitor center to pick up self-guided brochures.
While exploring the forts, you can also birdwatch, look for wildlife, and enjoy the peaceful serenity around you. Fishing (with a permit) is allowed at Fort Moultrie.
If you can get on the first ferry of the morning to Fort Sumter, you should hurry to see the flag-raising ceremony.
The ferry rides to Fort Sumter take about 30 minutes, and while there are concessions available, there’s very little entertainment, so come prepared with snacks and toys if you have young children with you.
After the ferry ride, a full tour of Fort Sumter will take just over two hours.
Pro Tip the ferry rides to Fort Sumter sell out, so be sure to purchase your tickets a few days ahead of time.
Kings Mountain National Military Park
Location: Blacksburg
, South Carolina Hours of operation: The park opens daily from 9 am to 5 pm. This includes restrooms, parking lots, and trails. The Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. This park is closed on many federal holidays.
Admission price: Free admission
What makes Kings Mountain National Military Park so special?
The Battle for Kings Mountain was fought here and marked a significant turning point during the American Revolutionary War. The American Patriots battled the American Loyalists at this location on October 7, 1780, and was the first significant patriot triumph after the British invasion of Charleston, South Carolina, the previous May.
What to do in Kings Mountain National Military Park
There’s plenty to do at Kings Mountain National Military Park and miles of trails to explore. The park features a variety of trails, from shorter, easy walks to more strenuous backcountry hiking trails. When you visit, here are some of the best hikes to consider:
Battlefield Trail: a 1.5-mile self-guided walking trail through the battlefield features way-side exhibits and an up-close and personal view of the battlefield. You’ll see the Centennial Monument, U. S. Monument, and Patrick Ferguson’s grave.
Park Loop Trail: a 16-mile loop between Kings Mountain National Military Park and Kings Mountain State Park.
Browns Mountain Trail:5-mile total out-and-back to the top of Brown’s Mountain. This trail starts at the Visitor’s Center and travels for 2.5 miles.
Clarks Creek Trail: 6-mile out-and-back trail from the Visitor’s Center to Lake Crawford.
Kings Mountain Military Park also allows horseback riding and camping. Camping permits go fast, so be sure to reserve your tent spot ahead of time.
Pro Tip While visiting the park, keep an eye out for rattlesnakes, copperheads, and poison ivy. You’ll want to pack insect repellant and take precautions against ticks
.
Reconstruction Era National Park
Location:Beaufort
, South Carolina Hours of operation: This park is situated in an urban setting, with many sites spread out within the city of Beaufort. The visitor center on Craven Street is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Admission price: Free admission to the visitor center, $8/person to the Beaufort Museum, $7/person to the Penn Museum
What makes the Reconstruction Era National Park so special?
The Reconstruction Era National Park is a bit different from many other national parks. Instead of wildlands with breath-taking vistas and noteworthy animals, the park is located within the urban boundaries of Beaufort, South Carolina.
This park is unique because it commemorates the difficulties the United States faced when trying to integrate millions of formerly enslaved people into the broader society after the Civil War from 1861 to 1900.
Beaufort County played a vital role in the Union’s effort to rebuild after the fall of the Confederacy, and you can’t walk through the city without passing historically significant buildings.
What to do in Reconstruction Era Beaufort
Rangers from the National Park service frequently give walking tours of the city and teach about its rich history. You can also pick up brochures and pamphlets from the visitor center for self-guided walking tours.
While you visit, you should check out the Beaufort History Museum housed in the old Beaufort Arsenal. There’s also a museum in the Penn Center.
Other notable stops include:
Pro Tip Be prepared to pay for parking. Parking spaces at sites across the Reconstruction Era park are metered by Beaufort City and are not free.
Ninety-six National Historic Site
Location: Ninety-Six, South Carolina
Hours of operation: The park grounds are open from sunrise to sunset. However, the parking lots are open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and the visitor’s center is only open from Wednesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Admission: Free admission
What makes Ninety Six National Historic site so special?
This earthen-built, star-shaped fort was constructed in December of 1780 by British Loyalists and enslaved people and remains unchanged today. The walls were 17 feet tall and made from 14-foot tall palmetto logs with three feet of sand bags stacked on top.
Due to the area’s terrain, the Loyalists decided that a star-shaped fort would serve better than a square one because it allowed cannons and muskets to fire in every direction despite not sheltering a large number of troops.
On July 18, 1781, the Patriots attacked the fort during the Battle for the Star. The Patriot fighters were able to overtake the fort and were victorious over the Loyalists.
What to do in Ninety Six Historical Park
Your visit to the park should start at the Visitor’s Center, where the short live-action film Crossroads of the Revolution can be played upon request. After the film, the Visitor’s Center displays a collection of historical oil paintings portraying scenes from the Revolutionary War.
There’s also a museum that displays many artifacts and weapons used during the American Revolution.
Outside, you can follow an outdoor interpretive trail along with the fort and the battlefield. You’ll also find many hiking trails and horseback riding trails, and you can fish (with a license!) from the Star Fort Pond.
How to prepare to visit South Carolina’s national parks
Before you begin your trip to South Carolina's national parks, you’ll want to follow these tips from car insurance super app Jerry:
If you’re planning on a road trip, avoid any unexpected breakdowns by making sure your car’s maintenance
is up to date and check that it meets the clearance requirements of the park.
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On average, Jerry users save over $800 each year on car insurance. That’s over ten times the price of an annual pass to all 63 national parks, including those in South Carolina!
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