State parks provide cheap family fun

Phil Gaines has a message for families still wondering how to take the clan on vacation in these tough economic times.
And that is they don’t have to look very far for a great escape.
South Carolina has 47 state parks and most offer camping and some have cabins or even motel-type lodging.
And just like the state that houses them, those parks range from the Atlantic coast to the mountains and everywhere in between.
“Our state is so fortunate to be so diverse in geography and resources,” said Gaines, the Director of State Parks. “I would say that regardless of what type of experiences you’re looking for, South Carolina has it. If you like the beach, we’ve got beach parks. If your cup of tea is the mountains, we’ve got great parks in the mountains. And
then you’ve got all those little spots in between.
“There are a lot of places you can go away and reconnect with
South Carolina and more importantly reconnect with family and friends.“
And families can do it at a fraction of the cost of staying in a hotel or renting a beachside condo for a week.
Naturally, cabins or villas are the more expensive state park lodging. But compared to a condo or a hotel during peak vacation season on the coast or other popular spots, guests will find that they pay half the cost or even better in many cases at a park.
For example, a cabin at Santee State Park on Lake Marion during peak vacation season can go for $80 a night and even less during lower-demand seasons. Motel lodging at Hickory Knob State Resort Park starts at $48 a night.
But camping is where vacationers can really save the dough. RV camp sites at Santee go for $16-18 a night. If you prefer tent camping, that can be had for $10 a night or less at most parks.
Gaines said there is anecdotal and other evidence that points to vacationers paying attention.
“We think (the economy) provides a great opportunity for folks to rediscover their state through the state parks and one of the things we’ve seen in the last six or seven months is a lot of folks taking us up on that,” he said. “Our Web site
(www.southcarolinaparks.com) experienced the highest amount of visits in its history in May. We had about 250,000 visits to the site, which is a 17 percent increase over last year.”
Last year, Gaines said, was a record-setting year for state parks in terms of revenue, and he said this year’s numbers will be about $300,000 less.
“Considering all that has gone on this year with the economy, we’re pretty pleased about that,” Gaines said.
If the thought of spending a few days in the great outdoors doesn’t seem all that appealing, remember that there are plenty of parks near population centers with easy access to entertainment and shopping, such as Myrtle Beach State Park, Huntington Beach State Park south of Myrtle Beach or Sesquicentennial State Park near Columbia.
Two parks — Hickory Knob and Cheraw — offer 18-hole golf courses, as well.
Gaines could certainly answer any questions a doubter might have. After all, the state’s parks, he said, are “kind of like your children. You love all of them and you love all of them differently.”
But probably his favorite? It still has to be Table Rock State Park in Pickens County.
“That’s where I grew up and I spent a lot of time there as a kid, and it’s kind of where I got the itch to be a park ranger,” Gaines said. “I love them all and it’s hard to pick just one. Each one of them touches you in a special way.”
But there is one thing Gaines is pretty sure of.
“You find the kind of experience you want,” he said, “and I bet we’ve got it.”