RoadRangeROADRANGE
A cannon is in the left foreground with the Maham rifle tower in the distance.
NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

Ninety Six National Historic Site

Settlers struggled against the harsh backcountry to survive.

Photo: NPS photo / NPS

SC
state
23
things to do
6
parks within a day
OVERVIEW

About Ninety Six National Historic Site

Settlers struggled against the harsh backcountry to survive. Cherokee Indians hunted and fought to keep their land. Two towns and a trading post were formed then abandoned to the elements. And two Revolutionary War battles claimed over 100 lives. Come discover the 18th century history of South Carolina.

WITHIN A DAY'S DRIVE

Pair it with another park

6 in range
The sun is coming up on the battlefield in the direction that the Americans would have been facing.
SC
Ninety Six National Historic Site◆◆this park
National Battlefield · South Carolina
Cowpens National Battlefield
1h 47m
one-way
drive time
Distance
89 mi
Round trip
3h 34m
Verdict
Long day trip
View park→
An oval gravestone for Maj Patrick Ferguson is in front of his stone covered grave.
SC
Ninety Six National Historic Site◆◆this park
National Military Park · South Carolina
Kings Mountain National Military Park
1h 51m
one-way
drive time
Distance
108 mi
Round trip
3h 41m
Verdict
Long day trip
View park→
A dirt trail winds along in a forest.
NC
Ninety Six National Historic Site◆◆this park
National Historic Trail · North Carolina
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
1h 52m
one-way
drive time
Distance
109 mi
Round trip
3h 44m
Verdict
Long day trip
View park→
A view of Sandburg's study as visitors see it today
NC
Ninety Six National Historic Site◆◆this park
National Historic Site · North Carolina
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
1h 56m
one-way
drive time
Distance
112 mi
Round trip
3h 53m
Verdict
Long day trip
View park→
A long pine tree stands in front of distant mountain ridges beneath an orange sunset
NC
Ninety Six National Historic Site◆◆this park
Parkway · North Carolina
Blue Ridge Parkway
2h 16m
one-way
drive time
Distance
135 mi
Round trip
4h 31m
Verdict
Long day trip
View park→
View of the Congaree River during the Fall
SC
Ninety Six National Historic Site◆◆this park
National Park · South Carolina
Congaree National Park
2h 16m
one-way
drive time
Distance
91 mi
Round trip
4h 32m
Verdict
Long day trip
View park→

Driving times from Ninety Six National Historic Site, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.

WHEN TO GO

Hours

Park Grounds

Mon
Sunrise to Sunset
Tue
Sunrise to Sunset
Wed
Sunrise to Sunset
Thu
Sunrise to Sunset
Fri
Sunrise to Sunset
Sat
Sunrise to Sunset
Sun
Sunrise to Sunset

Star Fort Pond

Mon
Closed
Tue
Closed
Wed
Sunrise to Sunset
Thu
Closed
Fri
Sunrise to Sunset
Sat
Sunrise to Sunset
Sun
Closed
THINGS TO DO

Activities

BirdwatchingBoatingBookstore and Park StoreCanoeingFishingFoodFreshwater FishingFront-Country HikingGuided ToursHikingHorse TrekkingHorseback RidingJunior Ranger ProgramKayakingLiving HistoryMuseum ExhibitsPaddlingPark FilmPicnickingSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingShoppingStand Up PaddleboardingWildlife Watching
PLAN YOUR VISIT

Getting there

Temperatures for the area range from very hot and humid in the summer to cool and moderate in the winter.

Directions →Official NPS page →

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do at Ninety Six National Historic Site?
Popular activities include Birdwatching, Boating, Bookstore and Park Store, Canoeing, Fishing, Food.
Which national parks are within a day's drive of Ninety Six National Historic Site?
Within about a day's drive you can reach Cowpens National Battlefield (1 h 47 min), Kings Mountain National Military Park (1 h 51 min), Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (1 h 52 min), Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (1 h 56 min), Blue Ridge Parkway (2 h 16 min), Congaree National Park (2 h 16 min).