South Carolina's state parks cover more than 80,000 acres and have around 375 miles of hiking trails www.sctrails.net for descriptions of the trails and access, canoe and kayak rentals, bird watching, golf, and even historic sites  For campsites or cabins reservations at Lake Hartwell State Recreation or any other state park, click on www.southcarolinaparks.com or call (866) 345-PARK.

Chau Ram County Park - Westminster in Oconee County - Chau Ram Park Rd off US 123 - has a 40 foot waterfall and more waterfalls downriver, rapids, suspension bridge, palyground, sandy beaches for swimming, and campsites.  (864) 888-1488

Cleveland Park - Greenville, SC - a 126 acre park along the Reedy River  (864) 467-4350

Devils Fork State Park - Salem, SC - this 622 acre park provides the only public access to Lake Jocassee.  Full campground amenities and modern villas highlight the park.  The park is popular with families, fishermen, scuba divers, and boaters.  (864) 944-2639

Discovery Island Water Park - Simpsonville, SC - interactive play, lazy river, body slide, pool area, splash play area with slides, geysers, and more.  Open Mid-May to Labor Day.  (864) 963-4345

Falls Park on the Reedy River - Greenville, SC - in the heart of downtown Greenville in the historic West End.  Featuring a one of a kind curved suspension footbridge, outdoor amphitheaters, public art, nature trails, picnic and garden areas, and a series of falls on the Reedy River.  (864) 467-4350

High Falls County Park - Seneca, SC - in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  This 44 acre park is located on Lake Keowee.  The park's focal point is the Alexander/Cannon/Hill House built in 1830.  There are 94 campsites, fishing pier, boat ramp, 2 shelters, recreation building, volleyball, horseshoes, playground, and ball field.  (864) 882-8234

Issagueena Falls & Stumphouse Tunnel - SC Hwy 28 six miles north of Walhalla, SC - Spectacular 100 foot falls.  The tunnel was started back in 1850s but never completed after 6 years of chipping and drilling with hand tools and black powder, lack of money and the Civil War halted the work.  Open daily 10am-5pm  (864) 638-4343

Lake Hartwell State Recreation Area - Fair Play, SC - a 680 acre park on Lake Hartwell.  With lake access, park store, hiking, camping, and unique one-room camper cabins with bunk beds, porch, and electricity.  Facilities are nearby.  (864) 972-3352

Oconee State Park - Mountain Rest, SC - this 1165 acre historic park rests deep in the Blue Ridge foothills, with picturesque hiking trails, cabins, and campgrounds.  The park's fishing lakes offer bass and bream, and the woods are full of wildlife.  (864) 638-5353

Sadlers Creek State Recreation Area - Anderson, SC - the 395 acre park features a lakeside campground, fishing, picnicing, hiking, meeting facility, and boat access to the 56,000 acres of Lake Hartwell.  (864) 226-8950

South Cove County Park - Seneca, SC - on the southern shore of Lake Keowee.  The park has 3 boat ramps, tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, recreation shelter, and 86 campsites with water and electricity on each site, 40 of the sites are lakeside.  Restrooms and showers are available.  (864) 882-5250

Sumter National Forest - Mountain Rest, SC - Ranger station: 112 Andrew Pickens Circle, Mountain Rest.  Hke, paddle, fish, hunt, camp, bird watch, or have a picnic in this historic forest with 15 waterfalls.  (864) 638-9568