South Carolina

Parks

  • National Historic Site

    Charles Pinckney

    Mt. Pleasant, SC

    Charles Pinckney was a principal author and signer of the United States Constitution and went on to be a political leader in South Carolina for over 40 years. The park preserves Snee Farm, one of his plantation properties, where visitors can learn about the politician's influences on Charleston, the African people he enslaved, plantation operations, and the legacy of Pinckney's life.

  • National Park

    Congaree

    Hopkins, SC

    Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers sweep through the floodplain, carrying nutrients and sediments that nourish and rejuvenate this ecosystem and support the growth of national and state champion trees.

    Fall colors along the Congaree River.

  • National Battlefield

    Cowpens

    Chesnee, SC

    A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British army. This classic military tactic, known as a double envelopment, secured a patriot victory.

    The 1856 Washington Light Infantry Monument in fog in 2009.

  • National Historical Park

    Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie

    Charleston Harbor, SC

    Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Patriots inside a palmetto log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, defeated the Royal Navy in 1776. As Charleston blazed a path towards secession to preserve slavery, construction on a new fort, Fort Sumter, proceeded. The Confederacy fired on the US garrison of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861 opening the Civil War, which redefined American freedom.

    Currier & Ives lithograph depicting the bombardment of Fort Sumter

  • National Military Park

    Kings Mountain

    Blacksburg, SC

    Thomas Jefferson called it "The turn of the tide of success." The battle of Kings Mountain, fought October 7th, 1780, was an important American victory during the Revolutionary War. The battle was the first major patriot victory to occur after the British invasion of Charleston, SC in May 1780. The park preserves the site of this important battle.

    Centennial Monument

  • National Historic Site

    Ninety Six

    Ninety Six, SC

    Settlers struggled against the harsh backcountry to survive. Cherokee Indians hunted and fought to keep their land. Two towns and a trading post were formed then abandoned to the elements. And two Revolutionary War battles claimed over 100 lives. Come discover the 18th century history of South Carolina.

    Aerial View of the Star Fort by William A. Bake

  • National Historic Trail

    Overmountain Victory

    NC,SC,TN,VA

    Stretching 330-miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina) the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by Patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Follow the campaign by utilizing a Commemorative Motor Route which uses existing state highways marked with the distinctive trail logo, or 87 miles of walkable trails.

    Roaring Creek viewshed in North Carolina looking east at about 4,600 feet elevation.

  • National Historical Park

    Reconstruction Era

    SC

    The Reconstruction era,1861-1900 the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economic, and labor systems, was a time of significant transformation. The people, places, and events in Beaufort County, South Carolina, reflect on the most important issues of this tumultuous time period.

By The Numbers

These numbers are just a sample of the National Park Service's work. Figures are for the fiscal year that ended 9/30/2020.