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Top 3 Must Visit South Carolina State Parks for Families
This Top 3 MustVisit South Carolina State Parks for Families post is sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. All words and opinions are my own.
Top 3 Must Visit South Carolina State Parks for Families
I grew up in a road-tripping family. Every single vacation we went on started off with a car trip that was usually several days there and several days back. There are so many amazing memories from my childhood that all lead back to those trips. From the games we played, to those hole-in-the-wall restaurants we tried along the way, I just knew that those were the kinds of memories I wanted to make with my children as well. We hope that you love our Top 3 Must Visit South Carolina State Parks for Families post.
With a family that includes three kids, we are always looking for fun and educational ways to spend the day… all while being reasonably priced and for the most part, within driving distance. The beauty of living in Atlanta, Georgia and taking road trips is that we really can see more of the United States without having to have a huge travel budget. So, we take a road trip at least once a month. 
Of all of the various activities that we have tried, by far the best bang for our buck has come from state parks. These hidden gems offer all-day experiences that everyone in the family will enjoy. Fishing, hiking, camping and biking can all be found at the parks, and we haven't even touched on the professionally run programs that are offered. Let's take a look at our top three must visit South Carolina State Parks for families!
Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site
First on our list of awesome South Carolina State Parks for families is the Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site. Once you arrive, it’s best to head straight to the visitor center. We were immediately greeted by the park manager who explained that kids and adults alike can learn all about the battle, plus they can even dress up in period-specific clothing. The visitor center sports a wraparound porch that offers some fantastic views of the property (as well as cornhole). It’s a great place to start because you can grab drinks and check out the souvenirs, plus find great educational books and toys in the gift shop.
Musgrove Mill was the site of a critical Revolutionary War battle, and the interactive diorama at the visitor center explains the battle, plus there are other interpretive exhibits to check out. The property features the battlefield, but also includes a picturesque pond, hiking trails and a waterfall. The park manager was on hand to give us an idea of what to see first and answer our questions about the battle itself, as well as, any other things that we wanted to know more about.
The actual Battle of Musgrove Mill commenced on August 19, 1780, lasted just over an hour and covered an area of about two miles. The Patriots claimed a victory over the British. 
Not only did we walk the entire length of the site, we also brought food for a picnic, and boy do they have many great picnic spots. We then headed over to Horseshoe Falls where we hiked about three miles total along the river. It had been raining recently so the river was really flowing and we had a fun day together. We actually discussed bringing fishing poles on our next visit because there were many people fishing, and the fish were clearly biting that day. It’s also a really fun place for a picnic, so we made plans to return this spring.
Great place to fish at the Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site.
Sesquicentennial State Park
Located in the midlands of South Carolina, Sesquicentennial State Park packs a ton of fun for everyone in the family. Known as “Sesqui”by the locals, the park itself features a 30-acre lake and 12 miles of hiking and biking trails set within more than 1,400 acres of parkland.
Sesqui offers everything from fishing to boating, biking and more. There are several geocaches to find for those looking for an adventure. The splash pad with its 26 sprayers is a great spot for anyone looking to have fun and stay cool with water.
And who doesn’t love a hike or a program with a ranger? Sesqui offers regularly scheduled programs throughout the year. It’s also a fun place for a field trip if you’re a teacher looking for something new. (link to Discover Carolina programs)
Don’t forget to check out the Top 5 Things to Do list for more ideas and family fun!
Myrtle Beach State Park
Located on the coast of South Carolina, Myrtle Beach State Park is one of the must-see South Carolina State Parks for families. This park features a mile of pristine beach, a pristine maritime forest, cabins, 278 campsites, a fishing pier, picnic shelters and more. Here, you can have fun in the sun while learning all about what makes this park so special.
The park also has a great Nature Center staffed by knowledgeable park rangers who host fun and informative programs for all ages year round. At the Nature Center, kids can also participate in Patch Programs offered by the park. Kids can earn a Sea Turtle Patch by taking part in the Sea Turtle Patrol during the summer, or they can become a Habitat Hero by taking part in the various programs offered at the park. If you have kids, the Nature Center and the park programs are a must do!
Also, don’t forget to check out the list of the Top 5 Things To Do at the park! Rent a cabin or stay overnight in a campsite. You’ll find fun for days at this popular park.
The Jr. Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger Program is a great way to get your kids moving outdoors while learning all sorts of cool stuff about the natural world around them in South Carolina. This free program is designed for kids ages 6 to 9, but anyone who is interested in learning and exploring the parks is welcome to take part in the program. Kids will have the opportunity to interview a Park Ranger, learn about the environment and earn cool prizes. To take part in the program, head to the website, grab a Junior Ranger activity sheet, and then visit the parks. It is super simple and a ton of fun.
How serene and beautiful are these parks. Perfect place to read and relax with family or friends. Loving that kids programs to keep them engage and entertain….
Great roundup of state parks for families to spend the day together! It’s interesting to learn about their historical significance too!
I love state and national parks! Allegheny State Park is about 20 minutes from where I live and we rent cabins there often! I vacation in Myrtle Beach a lot and went to the state park there for the first time a few years back!
I love learning about history. These look like some beautiful parks!
Sounds like a wonderful time! Love the idea of bringing a picnic to that one spot, that sounds like such a fun idea! Very cool pics of the historical war clothing too!
-Madi xo
South Carolina is so beautiful and charming! I definitely need to check out some of these parks with my fiancee! All All 3 look amazing!
Kasey Ma
Oh my goodness…. I love Myrtle Beach State Park and honestly there are so many wonderful places to visit in SC. I grew up in Summerville right outside of Charleston and SC is my favorite place on the planet. Love the post and cannot wait to get back down there for a visit!
ahhh I loveeee state parks and make it a point to camp or trek a few times every year. Can’t wait to check one of south carolina state parks.
I would love to travel the states more, I am adding this to my bucket list!
South Carolina is one of the only states that I haven’t visited yet! Would love to go. Looks like there’s a lot of beautiful places to visit!
These look like some great road trips to take our family this summer. We are moving to Georgia in 3 weeks and I can’t wait to make some family memories this summer.
I love state parks and you’ve hit on the 3 parks I love the most!
I have never been to SC… Looks beautiful.. Adding to my list now!
There are some lovely parks to visit in South Carolina! Great list.
All of those parks sound really good. I would have to try out the historical one first though. I think it’s the history nerd in me but I love relating to all things historical.
Looks like a perfect place for making family memories. Parks are just those places you will always find something to make your day better.
We have never been, but after seeing your post and pictures, now I need to plan a trip with the family, what an amazing place to visit
These sound like great parks. I’ve always loved taking the kids to parks like these. They’re so full of history.
These are great parks! We love visiting places like this everywhere we visit. The history behind lots of these is magnificent.
We had actually planned a trip to SC before all of this self isolating happened. I’m hoping we can go in the Summer.
We love to visit state parks. They’re such a great resource for families. I love that so many of them have an educational component!
I love parks. And I love to discover new places. This is the best way to spend good time together with your family!
All those sounds like wonderful places to visit with the family in South Carolina. I definitely would love to visit the Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site.
These are so beautiful and wish to visit these places someday together with my family.
I’ve never been to South Carolina, so this was really nice to read! Thanks for sharing 😊
wow really amazing place is looking for the family i will surely visit there once thanks
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