How many national parks are in South Carolina?

1: Congaree National Park. South Carolina also has 7 other National Park Service sites, such as Charles Pinckney National Historic Site and Cowpens National Battlefield.

Do national parks in South Carolina charge an entrance fee?

No: it's free to enter, per the National Park Service. An America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees.

What is the closest national park to Charleston?

Congaree National Park, about 80 miles from Charleston in a straight line, roughly 1 h 50 min by road on our estimate (straight-line miles × 1.3 at 55 mph, not a route). Charleston is South Carolina's largest city.

South Carolina · 1 national park · 7 other NPS sites

National parks in South Carolina

Last verified October 1, 2026Sources ↓

South Carolina has one national park, Congaree National Park. 7 more National Park Service sites round out the map, from Charles Pinckney National Historic Site to Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.

Numbered by 2025 visits. ★ Charleston, South Carolina's largest city.

At a glance

South Carolina, by the numbers

National parks in South Carolina at a glance
National parks	1: Congaree
Other NPS sites	7 see nps.gov
Most visited park, 2025	Congaree 287,833 visits (#49 of 63)
Entrance fees	Free
Established	November 10, 2003
Nearest to Charleston	Congaree 80 mi straight-line, ≈ 1 h 50 min drive (est.)

1 national park

South Carolina's national park

Busiest first, by 2025 recreation visits.

Photo: NPS
Est. 2003
Congaree National Park
2025 visits
287,833
Entrance
Free entry
Busiest month
May
Quiet month
February
“Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park…” (NPS)

From Charleston

The closest national parks to Charleston

Measured from Charleston, South Carolina's largest city (159,423 people, Census 2025 estimate). Straight-line miles; drive times are our rough estimate.

Nearest national parks to Charleston
Park	Straight line	Drive (estimate)
Congaree National ParkSC	80 mi	≈ 1 h 50 min
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkNC · TN	278 mi	≈ 6 h 40 min
New River Gorge National Park & PreserveWV	353 mi	≈ 8 h 20 min
Shenandoah National ParkVA	400 mi	≈ 9 h 30 min

7 other NPS sites

Beyond the national parks

Monuments, historic sites, trails and more: every other place the National Park Service lists for South Carolina, grouped by type. Links go to nps.gov.

2 National Historic Site · 2 National Historical Park · 1 National Battlefield · …Show all 7

National Historic Site · 2

National Historical Park · 2

From the NPS Data API; the same list as South Carolina's page on nps.gov. Trails and other multi-state sites appear under each state they cross.

FAQ

South Carolina, answered

How many national parks are in South Carolina?: 1: Congaree National Park. South Carolina also has 7 other National Park Service sites, such as Charles Pinckney National Historic Site and Cowpens National Battlefield.
Do national parks in South Carolina charge an entrance fee?: No: it's free to enter, per the National Park Service. An America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees.
What is the closest national park to Charleston?: Congaree National Park, about 80 miles from Charleston in a straight line, roughly 1 h 50 min by road on our estimate (straight-line miles × 1.3 at 55 mph, not a route). Charleston is South Carolina's largest city.

Sources · 5

1.South Carolina: parks and places (nps.gov) · National Park Service
2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
3.NPS Visitor Use Statistics — monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (IRMA stats REST service) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior) — Visitor Use Statistics Program
4.City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2025 · U.S. Census Bureau
5.2025 Gazetteer Files: Places · U.S. Census Bureau

Keep exploring

Park'd · free on iPhone & Android

Your parks map, in your pocket.

Park'd for iPhone and Android: check off every national park on a map, log trips with photos, notes and a favorite memory, and watch your stats and badges grow.