Ninety Six National Historic Site

11/06/2026

Across the National Park System, memorials, monuments and historic landscapes preserve the stories of those who served and sacrificed. From the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial to the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the newly dedicated Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, these places invite us to reflect on the people behind the history.

Beyond the memorials, historic battlefields, military forts and other sites across the country help tell the stories of generations who served. On Veterans Day, take time to visit a place of remembrance, discover a story you didn't know, and honor those who served.

Explore places that commemorate America's military history: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/veterans-day.htm

Image: Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial Raptors in Flight. NPS/Brodsky

11/06/2026

11/05/2026

The histories, cultures, and living traditions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander communities are an important part of the stories told across our national parks.

Throughout the year, and during November’s Native American Heritage Month, explore the stories, places, and cultural heritage preserved and shared in national parks and communities across the country: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/native-american-heritage-month.htm

NPS Photo

11/04/2026

It’s leaf-peeping season. The trees have made an effort, so the least we can do is go outside and stare at them.

Leaf peeping is the ancient human tradition of traveling long distances to look at leaves, take photographs, and stand in the middle of roads while saying, “Oh, wow, look at that one.”

Nobody knows exactly when this became a major event, but the trees seem okay with the arrangement. So get out there and see what all the rustle is about.

NPS photos

11/04/2026

As Veterans Day approaches, take a moment to honor those who have served our country. One way to celebrate their service is by helping them discover the places and stories that make our nation's public lands special.

U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families are eligible for a free America the Beautiful Military Lifetime Pass, providing free access to federal recreation lands where entrance or standard amenity fees are charged.

From the quiet beauty of a mountain trail to the stories preserved at historic sites, our public lands offer opportunities to explore, reflect, learn, and connect with the places that help tell America's story.

Learn how to get your pass and start planning your next adventure: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

Image: Korean War Veterans Memorial at National Mall & Memorial Parks /NPS

11/02/2026

Hello darkness, my old friend. Now you start at 5:00 pm.

With daylight saving time behind us, the sun is clocking out a littler earlier. Just as before, if you’re heading to a national park, make sure and check park hours, trail conditions, weather forecasts, and sunset times.

Fun fact: admiring fall foliage is much more enjoyable when you’re not trying to navigate a trail in the dark while wondering which tree looks familiar.

NPS photo

11/02/2026

11/02/2026

🦋 Imagine flying thousands of miles to make it home for a family reunion. Monarch butterflies do it every year.

Every fall, two journeys come together. As millions of monarch butterflies travel south on one of nature's greatest migrations, families gather to honor loved ones during Day of the Dead or Día de los Mu***os.

For many communities, the arrival of the monarchs is more than a sign of the changing season. These butterflies are seen as messengers, symbolizing the return of loved ones in spirit and serving as a beautiful reminder of the enduring connections between generations.

Traveling thousands of miles across North America, they depend on healthy habitats, including in parks, to rest, feed, and continue their journey.

What animal makes you feel connected to your family or community?

Several parks across the country host cultural Day of the Dead programming, including San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, among others.

NPS Photo taken at Amistad National Recreation Area

11/02/2026

Día de los Mu***os, or Day of the Dead, is a centuries-old tradition that honors the lives of loved ones who have passed. Its roots stretch back to Indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica, where ancestors were remembered through ritual, art, and celebration. When the Spanish arrived in what is now Texas, these native customs merged with Catholic traditions like All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day; creating the vibrant holiday we know today.

At San Antonio Missions, you can see this cultural fusion come to life. From colorful altars adorned with marigolds and candles to music, food, and stories, the park reflects how Spanish and Indigenous traditions shaped communities along the San Antonio River.

Come explore mission descendant ofrendas/ Day of the Dead altars while they are still inside the Mission San Jose granary for a few more days!

NPS Photo/ Andrew Shirey

10/31/2026

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Pumpkins* scream in the dead of night!

Happy Halloween!

*No pumpkins have been observed screaming in national parks. You may be hearing a coyote, bobcat, fox, owl, or that marmot looking for Alan…or was it Steve?

Image: Boo! Carved jack-o’-lantern with ranger hat at Hartwell Tavern at Minute Man National Historical Park

10/29/2026

Last chance to fish at Ninety Six in 2026!

Hello anglers, this Friday and Saturday are your last chances to fish at Ninety Six National Historic Site in 2026. The Star Fort Pond is closed to fishing from November through March.

Come out and see if you can out-fish this osprey who was seen fishing at the Star Fort Pond during one of our recent Tuesday birdwalks!

All fishing regulations can be found on the park website. https://www.nps.gov/nisi/planyourvisit/fishing.htm

Happy fishing!



Photo of an Osprey at Star Fort Pond by Mitch Litwer

10/11/2026

Park facilities will be closed in observance of Columbus Day on Monday, October 12. Park grounds will remain open. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, October 13.

09/29/2026

Happy Trail Cam Tuesday!

Enjoy some of the recent images from our trail cameras at Ninety Six National Historic Site. Better yet, come out and enjoy a hike on one of our trails and look for wildlife!



NPS Photos

09/25/2026

"What parts of nature are good or bad?" Bruce Banner

Well, spiders can be creepy and often get a bad rap, but they are incredible and unique creatures!

Come out and learn more about these interesting arachnids this Saturday September 26th! The walk will go from 8:30 to 10:30 am. We will meet at the Ninety Six National Historic Site visitor center. Bring comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.

Don't worry, you won't get too close, but you will be able to see a wide variety of spiders in a short amount of time. You can get plenty of Spidey pics!



Photo of a red femured spotted orbweaver by Rusty Wilson

09/19/2026

Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet
Eating her curds and whey
Along came a spider
Who sat down beside her
And frightened Miss Muffet away.

Like Miss Muffet are you freighted of these eight-legged, silk spinning creepy crawlies? If so, join us for our annual spider walk on Saturday, September 26, at 8:30 am. We will see what spiders we can find hanging out around the park and learn how these misunderstood invertebrates live their lives and help us with insect control.

For more information on this walk visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=41DD5F02-9A98-3DC2-240209238E747B6A

Photo Credit: NPS/VIP Mitch Litwer

09/13/2026

Happy Birthday to the Wizard Owl!

Have you ever heard of the Wizard Owl? That is the nickname that Native Americans gave Andrew Pickens, one of South Carolina's most famous Revolutionary War soldiers.

Did you know that Andrew Pickens fought at Ninety Six twice?

Today we celebrate the remarkable life of Andrew Pickens. Here are a few highlights:

- Andrew Pickens was born on September 13, 1739, in Pennsylvania.
- He and his Scotch-Irish family traveled south along the Great Wagon Road, eventually settling in the Long Canes area of South Carolina.
- Pickens became a captain in the South Carolina militia and fought in the first Battle of Ninety Six in November 1775.
- Pickens agreed to stay out of the war after the patriot defeat in Charleston, however, when Loyalists attacked and destroyed his property, Pickens returned to the fight.
- He helped lead South Carolina militia to victory at the Battle of Cowpens on January 17, 1781, where he was promoted to brigadier general.
- General Pickens played a key role in the successful sieges of British forts at Augusta and later joined the month-long siege of Ninety Six, fighting alongside “Lighthorse” Harry Lee.
- After the war, Pickens represented the new United States government in trade and diplomatic relations with Native American nations and later served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Learn more about the heroic life and legacy of General Andrew Pickens: https://www.nps.gov/cowp/learn/historyculture/andrewpickens.htm

Happy birthday, General Pickens!

Library of Congress engraving

09/02/2026

Happy Birthday Memories!

Ninety Six National Historic Site celebrated its 50th year as part of the National Park Service on Saturday, August 22. Visitors enjoyed a wide variety of activities, including interacting with living historians, listening to traditional fiddle music, attending the official opening of the new museum and park wayside, participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Count, enjoying an author reading, taking a guided battlefield tour, participating in children's activities, watching cannon demonstrations, and enjoying birthday cake!

This event would not have been possible without our wonderful park volunteers! Thank you so much for your dedication to Ninety Six National Historic Site!

See an album with more photos from the event: https://go.nps.gov/1687ky

We hope to see you at the park soon!

Photos by Mitch Litwer

08/27/2026

Happy 50th Ninety Six!

Thank you for all who participated in the 50th birthday celebrating Ninety Six Historic Site becoming part of the National Park Service!

Two highlights from the day:

A special ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new museum. Park Superintendent Diana Bramble and General Will Grimsley, Chairman of the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission, joined park rangers as they cut a ceremonial ribbon.

Also, there was a formal unveiling of the new park wayside which is a gift from the Friends of Ninety Six National Historic Site! Park Superintendent Diana Bramble, and Ken Coffey, President of the Friends of Ninety Six, joined members of the Friends of Ninety Six, living historians and park rangers as a ceremonial ribbon was cut.

Vistors also enjoyed cannon firings, author talks, fiddling and excellent lessons in history from our loyal living historians! More photos will be posted soon!



Photos by Mitch Litwer

08/20/2026

Happy Birthday Weekend!

Come celebrate the 50th birthday of Ninety Six National Historic Site! Ninety Six was designated a historic site under the management of the National Park Service in 1976.

Enjoy birthday celebration activities alongside rangers, volunteers, living historians, and come visit the new museum!

Activities will include living history, birthday games, colonial games, crafts, and more. We are also hosting the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, where you can be a citizen scientist!

10:00 a.m. – Events and activities begin
10:00 a.m. – Guided tour of the one-mile battlefield trail
10:30 a.m. – Museum ribbon cutting. Remarks in the program tent, followed by the ribbon cutting in the visitor center.
11:00 a.m. – Live music by Fiddlin’ Hayley King under the program tent
12:00 p.m. – Cannon firing demonstration at the Stockade Fort Field
1:00 p.m. – Book reading and signing of Celebrate America! The People Declare Independence by author Karen Petit in the program tent
1:30 p.m. – New etched-glass sign ribbon cutting at the Patriot trenches along the battlefield trail
2:00 p.m. – Live music by Fiddlin’ Hayley King under the program tent
3:00 p.m. – Cannon firing demonstration at the Stockade Fort Field
3:30 p.m. – Genealogy 101 for Beginners in the program tent

The visitor center will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Come join the fun!



Photo by Mitch Litwer

07/31/2026

Ninety Six National Historic Site Announces Installation of New Interpretive Wayside in Partnership with Friends Group. To see read the press release please visit https://www.nps.gov/nisi/learn/news/nisi-etched-glass-wayside.htm

Friends of 96 National Historic Site

Image Credit: NPS