If you enjoy visiting Table Rock State Park, Jones Gap State Park, Devils Fork State Park, or any of South Carolina’s other state parks, there is a good chance the South Carolina Park Passport could save you money.
The South Carolina State Park Passport is an annual pass that provides unlimited day-use admission to all South Carolina state parks for everyone in your vehicle. The pass currently costs $99 and is valid for one year from the date of purchase.
At first glance, $99 may seem expensive. However, the numbers add up quickly for families who enjoy hiking, swimming, picnicking, fishing, or simply exploring the outdoors.
For a family of two adults and two children, a single admission can cost $19. After just six visits, that family would spend more than the cost of the annual passport.
That means a few trips to Table Rock during the summer, a fall visit to Devils Fork to see Lake Jocassee, and a couple of spring hikes at Jones Gap could easily make the passport pay for itself.
More Than Just Table Rock
Many Upstate residents think of the passport as a Table Rock pass, but it covers every South Carolina state park.
Popular destinations include:
- Table Rock State Park
- Devils Fork State Park
- Jones Gap State Park
- Paris Mountain State Park
- Oconee State Park
- Huntington Beach State Park
- Hunting Island State Park
- Sesquicentennial State Park
- And dozens more across South Carolina
The passport also includes admission benefits at several historic sites and attractions within the state park system.
A Great Companion to the Library Adventure Pass
Earlier this year, we highlighted the Pickens County Library’s Adventure Pass program, which allows patrons to check out passes to local attractions and outdoor destinations.
For many families, the library pass is a great way to try a state park for the first time. If you discover that you are making regular trips to Table Rock, Jones Gap, Devils Fork, or other parks, the South Carolina Park Passport may be the next logical step.
Think of it as an investment in outdoor adventures. Once you have the pass hanging from your rearview mirror, it becomes much easier to take a spontaneous Saturday hike, enjoy a lakeside picnic, or spend an afternoon exploring a new corner of the state.
The Bottom Line
If you only visit a state park once or twice a year, paying the daily admission fee probably makes more sense.
However, if you find yourself making regular trips to Table Rock, exploring waterfalls in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, or planning weekend adventures around South Carolina, the Park Passport can quickly become one of the best values in outdoor recreation.
Sometimes the hardest part of exploring the outdoors is simply getting started. The Park Passport removes one more barrier and gives you a reason to discover more of what South Carolina has to offer.
