Ultimate Outsiders: SC State Parks & Historic Sites (2023)
Ultimate Outsider T-shirt
While researching things to do around South Carolina I found out about the Ultimate Outsider program sponsored by the state of South Carolina. It is a program that encourages people to visit all 47 South Carolina State Parks and Historic Sites (40 parks and 7 historic sites). You purchase for $1.00 an Ultimate Outsider Guide that includes information about each park and historic site and a place to get stamped as you visit. After visiting all 47 a park ranger at your last stop sends in an order for you to get a free Ultimate Outsider t-shirt.
We began visiting parks in May continued through June, July and August then took a break until finishing when we visited in the South Carolina coast for a month in December. Our first park was Caesar’s Head on May 5 and our last park was Little Pee Dee on December 12.
As we visited each location, we did at least one activity. At some we took a tour, went on a hike, kayaked, or had a picnic lunch. It would be difficult to discuss in detail each site we visited. Instead, here are what we consider the five highlights of becoming Ultimate Outsiders.
Oconee station began as a military outpost and later became a trading post. There are two historic buildings located here. First is the Blockhouse which was built in 1792. The second structure is the Richards House built in 1805. Originally, there were many other structures at this site, but they are all that remains. The other highlight to Oconee Station is the 1.5 mile hike to Oconee Cove Falls. This is perhaps our favorite waterfall in South Carolina. I understand that lots of engagements take place here.
Oconee Station Historic Site is in the northwest corner of South Carolina and just a few miles from the Georgia border.
Huntington Island was our favorite beach park. There are so many aspects to the park that help make it the most visited state park in South Carolina (over 1 million visitors each year). When you enter the park, you drive nearly a mile through what looks like a tropical forest. It reminded us of being in Hawaii. There are hundreds of tropical trees and plants. The have a fantastic Nature Center at the entrance. There is a historic lighthouse (originally built in 1859 and rebuilt in 1879) that you can visit. There are 5 miles of pristine and undeveloped beaches. Finally, there are thousands of acres of marsh, forests, saltwater lagoons, and ocean inlet with trails and boardwalks. While this beach park can get very busy during the summer weekends, we were practically alone on the beach in August during the middle of the week.
Huntington Island State Park is the southernmost state park in South Carolina. It takes about 4 1/2 hours to reach it from our home in Travelers Rest, SC.
What fascinated us about Goodale State Park was the canoe/kayak trail. We were having fun hiking trails in each state park but the idea of kayaking through a pond and creek was very interesting to us. When we rented our kayaks the ranger on duty told us to be careful not to bump the cypress trees because we could stir up the hornet nests. We were also warned to watch out for the alligator. That got us just a bit worried. We started kayaking near the spillway and then paddled across Adams Mill Pond. The first thing you notice are the beautiful bald cypress trees. Once we reached Pine Tree Creek, we followed the white trail signs. At least that was the idea. We got lost, we got stuck, and we bumped into every bald cypress tree we could find. Of course, in the back of our minds was that pesky alligator that we never saw. The kayak trail is about three miles but we only managed about 1 mile. Considering the number of times we lost the trail, we probably did paddle about 3 miles. Although we didn’t complete the trail, we did find it an exciting activity. Although Tammie decided it would have been better for us to be in a 2 person kayak rather than in individual kayaks.
Goodale State Park is in the middle of the state about 40 minutes north of the state capital, Columbia.
Hampton Plantation Historic Site
Hampton Plantation was a rice plantation started in 1735. The house was built in 1740. Two wings were added to the house and a large portico was also added. Those additions had been completed by the time the new president of the United States, George Washington, stopped for a visit. He was the guest of honor at a dance held in the ballroom and the next day the President had breakfast with Eliza Lucas Pinckney and her daughter Harriott Horry at Harriott’s Hampton Plantation. Anyone living in South Carolina today will be familiar with the names Pinckney and Horry. According to tradition Mrs. Horry asked the President whether he thought they should cut down the oak tree that was blocking the view from the newly installed portico. President Washington was said to respond, “keep it.” And today that extremely large and at least 250 year old tree is known as “Washington’s Oak.”
We took a tour of the house which is still in its original condition. Plumbing and electricity was never added to it. As we went through each room we heard interesting stories about the people associated with the plantation. As we passed through the ballroom we stayed behind a few minutes as the rest of the tour went on. We are now able to say we danced a waltz in the same ballroom where George Washington danced.
Hampton Plantation Historic Site is about 1 1/2 hours south of Myrtle Beach along Highway 17.
Lansford Canal is a state park located on the shores of the Catawba River. It is also a historical site of a former canal that operated between 1820-1835. The ruins of the canal are visible and are part of a 1.5 mile historical trail that runs through the park. One special place in the park is the Davie Mill site. It is a remote spot about a mile down the trail. We walked on the canal’s earthen floor, passing between two immense stone walls and got the same view as boat pilots and crews did 200 years ago.
But what makes this park really special are the spider lilies that bloom by the thousands from mid-May to late June in the rocky shoals of the Catawba River. When we got there in mid-June there were only a few spider lilies blooming. We plan to come back and join a kayaking tour to get up close to the spider lilies in the future.
Lansford Canal State Park is located in the northern part of the state just 45 minutes south of Charlotte, NC.
