South Carolina's New State Park Between Charleston & Myrtle Beach Is A Riverside Nature Escape

South Carolina opened the gates of its newest and 51st state park on October 1, 2026, allowing visitors to explore the grounds of a charming former 18th-century rice plantation. Located between Charleston, the ultimate foodies vacation destination, and Myrtle Beach, Ramsey Grove State Park sits on the banks of the Black River. It's surrounded by ancient oak groves, loblolly pine forest, and hardwood swamp bottoms. Lying on 2,650 acres of land, around 7 miles north of historic Georgetown, Ramsey Grove is a peaceful retreat into nature, with opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, wildlife watching, and photography.

Its location on the banks of the Black River, on a stretch that's been designated a South Carolina State Scenic River, provides a quiet alternative to the more well-known and budget-friendly Myrtle Beach. Living up to its name, the Black River does indeed have dark waters from the tannins released from the surrounding swamps. This landscape, which also includes a lake and wetland area managed by the South Carolina Department of Nature Reserves (SCDNR), is a haven for waterfowl and other wildlife.

The park is still in its development phase and has introduced soft-opening hours of Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an adult entry fee of $8. There will also be scheduled closures for SCNDR hunts, so if you are planning to visit, check the website beforehand. Ramsey Grove State Park is just off Highway 701 and is roughly 45 miles from Myrtle Beach and 65 miles from Charleston, both of which have international airports.

The 7-mile trail network at Ramsey Grove State Park traverses a surprisingly diverse range of landscapes. The former indigo and rice plantation switches between upland pine forest and hardwood swamp bottoms, with ancient shady oak groves to walk through and sandy shores beside the river. Within this environment is a 200-acre waterfowl impoundment, which also attracts migratory and coastal birds, making it the ideal place for birdwatching. Belted kingfishers, eastern bluebirds, and several species of woodpecker have all been spotted here. The park also has its own lake, which provides a nice place to sit, relax, and do a spot of wildlife watching. White-tailed deer, red foxes, bobcats, coyotes, and American alligators sometimes pay a visit.

Like many former rice plantations, Ramsey Grove has an interesting but disturbing history going back to 1731. It became a successful rice plantation from 1786 — most of South Carolina's rice was grown in Georgetown County. The success of this industry was dependent on the labor and rice-growing expertise of enslaved Africans, of which there were 384 at Ramsey Grove. To find out more about this period of history, visit the Gullah Museum of Georgetown. After the Civil War, rice production slowed down and the property eventually became a hunting reserve. The original 1771 mansion is still there but has had extensive restoration work and now serves as a clubhouse. There are other buildings in the park, which, at time of writing, are under construction, remaining closed to the public. Ranger guided tours are also available.

Much of Georgetown County's history reflects what went on at Ramsey Grove and other plantations during the 18th and 19th centuries, and a visit to nearby Georgetown will reveal more. The Gullah Museum of Georgetown is particularly relevant and tells the story of Gullah Geechee culture and the lives of enslaved Africans and their descendants during slavery and after it was abolished. It covers everything from language to food to music. The Gullah Museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more Gullah Geechee culture, take a trip to this charming time capsule island, just half an hour's drive from Georgetown.

More fascinating history awaits at Hobcaw Barony on the other side of the river on the Ocean Highway. This enormous, privately-owned research reserve is much like Ramsey Grove, combining plantation history and typical Southern landscapes. It's only open to visitors on guided tours, which must be reserved on the website. It's an amazing opportunity to go back in time to the plantation era and visit Friendfield Village, a former African American village.

Another way to experience the area around Georgetown is by way of its waterways. Take a boat trip around Winyah Bay and the surrounding rivers to Georgetown Lighthouse with Cap'n Rods Lowcountry Boat Tours. It's a wonderful way to see and learn more about the land and riverscape, and there may even be the odd ghost story thrown in. If you're staying overnight, the George Hotel is a boutique hotel in Georgetown's historic district where, after you've dined on fresh seafood at its on-site restaurant, take a walk along the harbor, and enjoy the warm breeze coming in off the ocean.