When the sun sets over South Carolina, its state parks don’t go to sleep—they come alive with mystery, moonlight and magic. From quiet lakeside paddles to stargazing under some of the darkest skies on the East Coast, these after-dark programs invite visitors to experience nature’s wild side in a whole new light—or lack thereof.
At Croft State Park in Spartanburg, the Sunset Paddle offers a peaceful passage from day into night. As dusk deepens over Lake Craig, canoes glide across glassy waters lit by the full moon. The rustle of leaves and the distant call of owls provide a natural soundtrack to this 90-minute experience, open to ages 10 and up.
At Cheraw State Park, the Moonlight Canoe Float takes paddlers across the 361-acre Lake Juniper. Timed with the lunar calendar, this three-hour guided journey reveals the lake’s beauty under starlight. Keep an ear out for frogs and an eye out for nocturnal creatures. Canoes are available to borrow, or bring your own. Ages 14+.
Trade flashlights for moonlight during the Full Moon Hike at Sesquicentennial State Park near Columbia. This easy, 2-mile guided hike offers insight into the lives of nocturnal animals—and how the forest transforms after dark. Learn to identify nighttime sounds and observe how wildlife adapts when the sun goes down. For novice campers and young adventurers, the park’s Palmetto Campout each fall is the perfect introduction to the great outdoors. Learn how to pitch a tent, build a campfire, cook over an open flame, paddle, fish and even sleep in a hammock, all with expert guidance and no gear required.
The Sea Turtle Night Walk at Edisto Beach State Park is a front-row seat to a timeless marvel, and it is considered one of South Carolina’s “Wild Wonders.” From May to October, witness loggerhead sea turtles nesting or even tiny hatchlings making their moonlit crawl to the ocean. Led by trained guides, these walks balance wildlife encounters with conservation education. Ages 10+.
Park After Dark at Hunting Island State Park blends beachcombing and stargazing into one awe-filled night. Follow a ranger along the Nature Center Scenic Trail to the hauntingly beautiful Boneyard Beach. On clear nights, planets like Jupiter and Saturn appear with the naked eye, while binoculars may reveal Uranus and Neptune.
Before light pollution, a clear night revealed thousands of stars. Today, most people are lucky to spot a few hundred. But at Hampton Plantation State Historic Site near McClellanville, the night sky still dazzles. Astronomers set up telescopes on the lawn of this historic rice plantation, offering guests the chance to explore galaxies, planets and deep-sky wonders.
The Atalaya Sleepover at Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet invites guests to spend the night in a real castle. Once the Moorish-style winter retreat of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, Atalaya transforms into a magical campsite for one night only—complete with ghost stories, a campfire cookout, s’mores, a beach walk and a morning wildlife tour. Sleep in the courtyard or inside a room—either way, it’s a night you won’t forget.
