The 14 Best Places In South Carolina To Go On An Unforgettable Picnic
By Gwen Tennille|Published June 21, 2015
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Gwen Tennille
Author
Gwen is an author, artist, illustrator, graphic designer, mother, wife, and part-time super hero. She loves to tackle her dreams head on and takes life by storm. Coffee is her best friend and a good book cannot be beat! When does she have the time, you ask? Well...do you really need that much sleep?
Oh, it’s that time of year when you just can’t wait to get out of the house on those precious weekend days that have become way too short and the time between them has become way too long! The mornings are glorious and if you find a beautiful shade somewhere then midday is not so bad either. If you have lived in South Carolina a long time then you are pretty acclimated to the way summers are here. So, you want to get out of the house and a picnic sounds really nice, but you may not know where to go. A basic picnic is nice. You can even have them in your backyard if you like, but a picnic where you can go and have some adventure is even better! Well, I picked out 16 of the best places in South Carolina to have that awesome picnic you’re wanting.
1. Andrew Jackson State Park, 196 Andrew Jackson Park RD
Lancaster, SC 29720
Phone: (803) 285-3344
This beautiful state park has fishing, hiking, boating, and boat rentals. It also has a museum and an amphitheater. Their picnic shelters they are usually rented, but otherwise they're first come, first serve.
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2. Aiken State Park, 1145 State Park RD
Windsor, SC 29856
Phone: (803) 649-2857
This park offers boating, fishing, canoeing, paddling, and hiking. They have boat and canoe rentals as well. They also have picnic shelters for rent, but if they are not reserved than they are on a first come, and first serve basis.
3. Baker Creek State Park, 863 Baker Creek RD
McCormick, SC 29835
Phone: (864) 443-2457
Baker Creek is located on the shores of Lake Thurmond and offers a good variety of things to do besides getting away from the city for a bit. They offer fishing, boating, hiking, and mountain bike trails. There are also two picnic spots that are first come, first serve basis with no reservations needed.
4. Barnwell State Park, 223 State Park RD
Blackville, SC 29817
Phone: (803) 284-2212
The best kept fishing spot in Barnwell County or so they say! There is fishing, of course, as well as boating, and a small hiking trail. There are also picnic areas that are available for reservation, but if they are not reserved then they are available on a first come, first serve basis.
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5. Caesar's Head State Park, 8155 Geer HWY
Cleveland, SC 29635
Phone: (864) 836-6115
A majestic mountainous park boasting beautiful fishing areas with rainbow and brown trout, some of the most challenging hiking trails, and picnic spots for your enjoyment. There is more! They have a Visitor's Center and a gift shop.
6. Cheraw State Park, 100 State Park RD
Cheraw,SC 29520
Phone: (843) 537-9656
Ever seen a state park that has a golf course? How about an equestrian trail? Well, this one does and has more too! There is boating, fishing, and hiking. There are picnic shelters for reservation, but if they are not reserved then it is on a first come, first serve basis for free.
7. White Point Garden, 2 Murray Blvd, Charleston, SC 29401
This is a beautiful picturesque garden park near the Charleston battery. There are paved walking trails and picnic areas available. As well as, military statues and cannons for you to explore.
Hurricane Hugo nearly destroyed this beautiful place, but it still stands today! If you decide to go here you can go camping, hiking, boating, biking, and horseback riding. There are 4 beautiful picnic areas for you to choose from too!
9. Sumter National Forest, 20 Work Center Rd, Whitmire, SC 29178
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site was the only place that was owned by a signer of the Constitution. The beauty of the places begs for you to sit and have a picnic under the shade of a tree.
11. Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Road
Hopkins, SC 29061-9118
This park offers primitive camping, hiking, canoeing, and bird watching. However, there is no telling what you might see there! There is a really nice elevated walkway through the park for others who want to take a safer route to look around and picnic places for you to sit and enjoy the tranquility of the park itself.
12. Cowpens National Battlefield, 4001 Chesnee Hwy, Gaffney, SC 29341
They boast a Visitor's Center and a museum. There is a laser disk presentation show there every hour, there is a small shop, a battlefield trail that is partially paved, an auto loop road, and a picnic area that offers grills and restroom facilities. Covered picnic areas are available for a small fee.
This is a state park that shows us the history of the Revolutionary War that was fought here in South Carolina and especially the battle on Kings Mountain. There is a visitor center as well as statues for you to see. This park also adjoins Kings Mountain State Park which offers camping, picnic areas, and a living history farm.
14. Ninety-Six National Historic Site, PO Box 418
Ninety Six, SC 29666
There is so much to do here that you will want to go back again and again. Yes, there is a picnic area for you to use, but there is so much more to include: hiking, bird watching, wildlife watching, Ranger-led tours, and special events. Call ahead and see when they are doing the special events so you won't miss them!
Which one are you going to visit first? Not only are they superb picnic areas, but there is so much more to do other than eat. Remember, calling ahead in some of these places will guarantee you a sheltered picnic area if you like. Don’t forget the insect repellant! Mosquitos and such can get pretty bad in some areas. Be safe and have fun! Summer is upon us and it’s time to celebrate the sun!
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