Personal Injury Attorney in Daniel Island, SC.

National Park Week is rolling in from April 19 to April 27 – and there’s no better time to celebrate America’s love for the open road and the great outdoors.

To mark the occasion, Gunther Volvo Coconut Creek launched a family-focused poll, asking:

Which national park would most want to visit this National Park Week, if distance was not a factor?

For many families, the journey is just as important as the destination – and nothing says adventure like packing up the car and hitting the road. By polling families across the country, they uncovered the most dreamed-of parks for a spring getaway.

South Carolina had five national parks that made the rankings:

#54 – Paris Mountain State Park

Close to Greenville, this mountain park features hiking and biking trails, a swimming lake, and family-friendly campsites. It’s got just the right mix of shade, scenery, and calm water for a classic outdoor day. Easy to get to, hard to leave.

#64 – Table Rock State Park

Tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this park has beautiful lake views, easy family trails, and longer hikes for those feeling adventurous. Paddleboats and a swimming beach round out the mountain fun. It’s postcard-perfect in every season. The park has reopened after the wildfires in March.

#81 – Edisto Beach State Park

One of the quieter beach parks in the state, this Lowcountry spot has oceanside campsites and trails through maritime forest. Kids can hunt for seashells or visit the environmental learning center. It’s a peaceful, nature-rich coastal retreat.

#90 – Huntington Beach State Park

This coastal favorite offers wide beaches, salt marshes, and a nature center with gators and turtles. Families can walk boardwalks through the wetlands or explore Atalaya Castle, a historic seaside estate. It’s both wild and wonderfully educational.

#151 – Sesquicentennial State Park

Right in Columbia, “Sesqui” is a city park with a wilderness vibe. Families can enjoy paddle boating, picnicking, or playing on one of the best playgrounds in the state park system. It’s a great choice for a quick nature fix.

Nationally, the top five were as follows:

#1 – Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

America’s most-visited national park is a treasure trove of misty peaks, waterfalls, and wildlife. Families can hike easy trails like Laurel Falls, look for black bears, or explore historic cabins from early settlers. Best of all? It’s free to enter, making it the ultimate nature playground.

#2 – Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

This world wonder offers jaw-dropping views and easy trails that hug the rim — perfect for families with little ones. Ranger programs and visitor centers bring the geology and history to life in ways kids actually understand. It’s big, bold, and surprisingly accessible for such an epic destination.

#3 – Yellowstone National Park, Montana

While most of Yellowstone lies in Wyoming, Montana’s gateway offers quieter access and stunning scenery. Families can visit Mammoth Hot Springs, spot bison, and explore geysers — all with fewer crowds. It’s America’s first national park, and still one of its best.

#4 – Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Walk through lava tubes, witness steaming craters, and learn how new land is formed in real time. Kids will be fascinated by the raw, dramatic landscape, and ranger-led programs help explain the volcanic science. It’s fiery, fascinating, and full of wonder.

#5 – Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Explore the world’s longest cave system on a guided tour that’s equal parts thrilling and educational. Above ground, families can hike, bike, or paddle the Green River through lush forest. It’s one of Kentucky’s crown jewels — and totally kid-approved.

To see the top park for each state, see the infographic online.

By:

Suzanne Detar, sdetar@thedanielislandnews.com

The Daniel Island News staff continues to produce quality writing, editing, design, and photography.

Last week, the newspaper earned 17 journalism awards at the South Carolina Press Association’s annual 2024 news contest ceremony.

The contest was judged by members of the Kentucky Press Association.

First place winner Steve Ferber’s Unconventional Wisdom column won the Best of the Best Award for column writing for his “How good are you?” series. The judges said, “The columnist gives multiple positive lessons while also sharing warm personal anecdotes and credible sources. A useful and enjoyable reading experience.”

Photographer Peter Finger won first place in the Sports Feature Photo contest for his action photograph of professional padel athletes playing a demonstration match at the Credit One Charleston Open during last year’s Family Weekend. The judge’s comment: “Great action! Excellent photo!”

Our product is truly a team effort. We congratulate the winners and are thankful to our entire team for collaborating with and improving each other’s work on a weekly basis.

A complete list of winners is provided below.

REPORTING AWARDS:

Open Division - Innovation

Second Place: Emma Slaven

Finding inspiration in unexpected places

Second Place: Emma Slaven

Second Place: Caley Smith

Third Place: Philip Bowman

All Weekly Division - Education Beat Reporting

Third Place: Emma Slaven

All Weekly Division - Sports Enterprise Reporting

Third Place - Emma Slaven

What will they say?

First Place and Best of the Best: Steve Ferber

Business Beat Reporting

Second Place: Emma Slaven

Food Writing

Third Place: Tom Werner and Suzanne Detar

Incomplete Guide to Indian Food

Second Place: Jan Marvin

Boating Vibes

Inside Page Design

Second Place: Suzanne Detar

Kick it Kicks

Page One Design

Third Place: Jan Marvin

Boating Vibes

Feature Page Design

Third Place: Jan Marvin

Concert in the Park

Sports Page Design

Third Place: Jan Marvin

Football Preview

PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

Sports Feature Photo

First Place: Peter Finger

Professional padel players play a demonstration match at the Credit One Charleston Open during Family Weekend.

Photo Series or Photo Story

Second Place: Suzanne Detar

Scenes from the Pumpkin Walk

General News Photo

Third Place: Peter Finger

Nikki Haley supporters, young and old, line up in New Realm’s courtyard to hear from presidential candidate Nikki Haley.

Photo by Jens Mahnke/pexels.com (pexels.com/photo/bonfire-photo-776113/)

The South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties across the state last Friday, March 21, and on Saturday, March 22, Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency as a fire at Table Rock State Park in Pickens County continued to rage.

The State Forester’s Burning Ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the state.

Forestry Commission officials said weather conditions present a greatly elevated risk of wildfire. The high winds and gusts that prompted the agency to issue a Red Flag Fire Alert persisted across the state over the weekend.

Additionally, extremely low relative humidities – reaching below 30% in most areas – add to the fire danger.

“The combination of gusty winds and low relative humidity is a recipe for wildfires igniting easily and spreading rapidly,” said forestry commission chief Darryl Jones in a statement, “especially when you add to the mix the abundance of dry, late-winter fuels on the ground.”

The ban will stay in effect until further notice, which will come in the form of an official announcement from the Forestry Commission.

McMaster's executive order declaring a State of Emergency to support South Carolina's ongoing response to the Table Rock bolsters emergency efforts as firefighters work to contain the fire.

"As this wildfire continues to spread, the State of Emergency allows us to mobilize resources quickly and ensure our firefighters have the support they need to protect lives and property," McMaster said in the announcement. "Given the elevated risk of wildfires throughout the state, the statewide burning ban will remain in effect until further notice. Anyone who violates this ban can and will go to jail."

Jones heeded the governor's call for vigilance.

“We always urge all South Carolinians to stay vigilant against wildfire, but the best way people can do that right now is to take seriously – and abide by – the Forestry Commission’s current statewide burning ban,” Jones said. “As we warned when issuing the ban, weather conditions across the state are presenting a greatly elevated risk for wildfire, and we’re seeing that play out at the Table Rock fire and elsewhere.”

South Carolina State Parks announced that all trails at Table Rock State Park are closed until further notice. Residents are urged to stay informed through local channels and to report any debris fires to local fire and law enforcement authorities immediately.

Here are the developments before the various City of Charleston boards and committees this week, as well as results, if any, from the prior week’s items specific to Daniel Island and the Cainhoy area.

More detailed agendas and results can be found at charleston-sc.gov/agendacenter.

UPCOMING: TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

March 20: Daniel Island Self Storage Revisions - Site plan revisions to previously approved TRC plans for storage facility on 21.77 acres at 460 Seven Farms Drive. TMS: B2750000179. Owner: The Daniel Island CO. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton. Contact: Brian Riley, riley.b@tandh.com.

March 20: Lifestyle Communities At Point Hope (third review) - Site plan for proposed private road, parking, and utilities to serve 449-unit mixed-use site on 27.9 acres at 1260 Clements Ferry Road. TMS: B2620000028. Owner: Lifestyle Communities. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Domonic Jones, jones.d@tandh.com.

March 20: Thomas Island Subdivision - Concept plan for Proposed 52 lot conservation development on 21.07 acres at 100 Sands Preserve Drive. TMS: B2750000004. Owner: Clouter Creek Reserve LLC. Applicant: Seamon, Whiteside & Associates, Inc. Contact: Zak Wortman, zwortman@seamonwhiteside.com.

RESULTS: BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS – ZONING (Results not available)

March 18: 105, 107, 117, 120 Etta Way - Set back and lot coverages variances to Daniel Island Master Plan for decks and porches. TMS: 276-01-05-001, 276-01-05-002, 276-01-05-006, 276-01-05-018. Owner/Applicant: Stanley Martin Companies, LLC.

March 18: 1008 Clements Crest Lane - Request variances from §54-415 to build a monument sign with a 91sf sign face (60sf allowed), a monument sign with an 88.5sf sign face (35sf allowed), and a monument sign with 48sf (35sf allowed). TMS: 267-00-00-129, -170, -171. Owner: SensusOne Clements Ferry, LLC. Applicant: McMillan Pazdan Smith (Ben Curtis).