About SCPRT

South Carolina is blessed with an abundance of natural and man-made gifts – historic cities that attract visitors from all over the world, pristine beaches that stretch for hundreds of miles, small towns that offer a unique glimpse into days gone by, blackwater rivers for a peaceful day of kayaking or canoeing, and spectacular golf courses that wow the avid amateur and challenge the best touring pros. Those gifts and more helped fuel a seasonal business called tourism and turned it into a powerhouse that now ranks as the state’s number one industry. No one could have predicted such a rosy future when the General Assembly created the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism in 1967.

Legislators assigned the agency three very specific tasks:

• To help foster and promote the state’s emerging tourism industry,
• To protect and promote South Carolina state parks, and
• To help communities plan and develop recreational opportunities for local residents.

To access Section 51-1-10 of the SC Code of Laws which established SCPRT as an agency, click here.

Our Mission

To elevate South Carolina by preserving and promoting our State Parks, empowering local recreation, and advancing the state as the premier destination for tourism and film.

Our Vision

We make South Carolina a place where every resident and visitor experiences the very best in public parks, memorable hospitality, and inspired storytelling.

Our Values

These six values guide our work, shape our decisions, and define how we serve South Carolina, its people, and our employees.

1. Partnership
2. Leadership
3. Stewardship
4. Creativity
5. Adaptability
6. Hospitality