Top state parks
State ParkTable Rock State Park
State ParkHuntington Beach State Park
State ParkParis Mountain State Park
State ParkDevils Fork State Park
State ParkKings Mountain State Park
State ParkAndrew Jackson State Park
State ParkMyrtle Beach State Park
State ParkOconee State Park
State ParkColleton State Park
State ParkPoinsett State Park
State ParkEdisto Beach State Park
State ParkSesquicentennial State Park
State Parks by county
All state parks (26)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table Rock State Park | Pickens County | — | Pickens | 3 |
| Huntington Beach State Park | Georgetown County | — | Murrells Inlet | 4 |
| Paris Mountain State Park | Greenville County | — | Wade Hampton | 6 |
| Devils Fork State Park | Oconee County | — | Pickens | 3 |
| Kings Mountain State Park | York County | — | Clover | 4 |
| Andrew Jackson State Park | Lancaster County | — | Catawba | 4 |
| Myrtle Beach State Park | Horry County | — | Myrtle Beach | 5 |
| Oconee State Park | Oconee County | — | Walhalla | 3 |
| Colleton State Park | Colleton County | — | Saint George | 3 |
| Poinsett State ParkCongaree | Sumter County | — | Wedgewood | 3 |
| Edisto Beach State Park | Colleton County | — | Seabrook Island | 3 |
| Sesquicentennial State Park | Richland County | — | Woodfield | 5 |
| Hunting Island State Park | Beaufort County | — | Beaufort | 3 |
| Lake Hartwell State Park | Oconee County | — | Gumlog | 3 |
| Landsford Canal State Park | Lancaster County | — | Catawba | 4 |
| Oconee Station State Historic Site | Oconee County | — | Walhalla | 3 |
| Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site | Union County | — | Whitmire | 3 |
| Goodale State Park | Kershaw County | — | Camden | 3 |
| Musgrove Mill State Historic Site | Spartanburg County | — | Clinton | 3 |
| Aiken State Park | Aiken County | — | Williston | 3 |
| Croft State Park | Spartanburg County | — | Pacolet | 4 |
| Givhans Ferry State Park | Dorchester County | — | Ridgeville | 3 |
| Woods Bay State Park | Sumter County | — | Timmonsville | 3 |
| Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site | Aiken County | — | Clearwater | 4 |
| Rivers Bridge State Park | Allendale County | — | Fairfax | 2 |
| Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site | Dorchester County | — | Centerville | 5 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.