South Carolina has some fantastic state parks which provide outstanding opportunities to get at one with nature and truly enjoy the wonders of the great outdoors.
A number of these state parks are located near Hilton Head and feature magnificent landscapes of forests, rivers, lakes, marshes, creeks, lagoons and beaches that will instantly lift your soul.
If you fancy escaping the bright lights of Charleston, and other big cities in South Carolina, for a remote and peaceful wilderness getaway there are a number of fabulous state parks you can go to.
Below, we’ve put together this list of 5 state parks near Hilton Head which will enable you to enjoy activities like swimming, hiking, boating, fishing and camping without distractions.
Map of State Parks Near Hilton Head SC
Here is a map of the South Carolina state parks covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Hilton Head
Outlined below is a list of those state parks with distance from Hilton Head and you really should try and visit each one.
1. Hunting Island State Park
Location: 2555 Sea Island Pkwy, St Helena Island, SC 29920
Attracting more than a million visitors a year, the beautiful Hunting Island State Park is the most popular of all South Carolina’s state parks.
Located just a 52 mile drive away from Hilton Head it boasts a stunning landscape of over 5000 acres of marshes, bosky maritime forest and a stunning saltwater lagoon, as well as five immaculate miles of golden sand. Which makes it a great spot for fishing, hiking, kayaking and swimming.
One of the main landmarks of the park is the historic Hunting Island lighthouse. Originally built in 1859, this terrific structure offers excellent views of the surrounding area. You’ll have to climb 167 steps to see it, but it is definitely worth it.
The park is a fantastic place to spend a few days and there are 100 standard campsites here cross two locations – all of which provide 50amp service and have access to electricity and water. Some sites can even accommodate RVs of up to 40 foot.
It costs $8 for adults to get into the park and $4 for children. But whilst here you can book a dolphin watching cruise, or go boating, biking, bird watching and even geocaching.
2. Edisto Beach State Park
Location: 8377 State Cabin Rd, Edisto Island, SC 29438
One of only four oceanfront state parks in South Carolina, Edisto Beach is located on Edisto Island. It is a beautiful 1255-acre park, located about 93 miles from Hilton Head and is a lovely place for a family or couples getaway.
Immersed with Native American history, the park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It features a system of handicapped accessible biking and hiking trails that are the longest in South Carolina.
The trails will lead you through Edisto Island’s spectacular maritime forest of diverse flora and fauna, to notable sights like a Native American shell midden, which pre-dates 2000 BC.
There are two campgrounds here with 120 sites that accommodate both tents and RVs. All but five of which are 50 amp. Located either oceanside, or near the salt marshes, they both come with electricity and water. In addition there are also seven cabins in the woods near the salt marsh, two of which are three bedroom units.
The park features an environmental education center which has displays that showcase the natural history of the Island, as well as the ACE Basin. It also has a 1.5-mile long beach, as well as plenty of opportunities for swimming, hiking, fishing and boating.
3. Lake Warren State Park
Location: 1079 Lake Warren Rd, Hampton, SC 29924
Nestled in South Carolina’s stunning low country, about 62 miles from Hilton Head, is the picturesque Lake Warren State Park.
Just four miles southwest of the town of Hampton, this 440-acre park features a massive 200-acre lake as its main drawcard. So it is a very popular spot for those who love fishing and water related activities.
There isn’t much in the way of camping facilities here, but if you are looking for a fun destination for a family day out, or somewhere to enjoy some peaceful alone time, this place is just the ticket.
The park is a haven for the likes of bass, brim and catfish, though you will need a South Carolina fishing license to cast a line here. If you are more in to hiking, there are two fabulous nature trails that will take you through lush floodplain forests and other terrains of wetland and woodland that house a huge variety of flora and fauna.
You’ll also find playground equipment and picnic facilities in the area, while unlike in many other state parks in South Carolina, dogs are very much welcome here.
4. Givhans Ferry State Park
Location: 746 County Rd S-18-30, Ridgeville, SC 29472
Situated around 88 miles from Hilton Head, in the low country woods, the Givhans Ferry State Park is a 988-acre natural scenic retreat that sits towards the end of the magnificent Edisto River.
This imposing, free-flowing waterway is the longest blackwater river in the whole of North America, and the park here provides excellent opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, fishing and hiking within it.
There is a shaded campground here with four comfortable, two bedroom cabins located on a bluff that sits along the banks of the river. In addition there are 25 full-service campsites for RVs or tents.
One of the best things about a visit to this park, which is only a 35-minute drive to downtown Charleston, is that it is only 23-miles to the Colleton State Park, which can be reach by kayak along the river.
So a visit here essentially gives you access to two state parks!
5. Colleton State Park
Location: 147 Wayside Ln, Walterboro, SC 29488
As well as being close to the Givhans Ferry State Park, the Colleton State Park is only 75 miles from Hilton Head.
The park is relatively small at just 35-acres but it offers plenty of opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing, swimming, kayaking, hiking, biking and picnicking.
There are 25 campsites for RVs and tents here, as well as a Camper Cabin that is decked out with a fridge and air conditioning.
The park also has a number of fantastic trails to explore and there is also a pretty good children’s playground that should entertain the little ones for hours.
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