While not much of the plantation exists, it's a great place to see. My favorite is the beach. It's…read morean easy trail mostly sandy to walk, through the marsh and woody areas it opens up. At high tide it's a tricky walk as sadly there's a lot of natural erosion happening. There are a lot of shells that are so pretty, you are not allowed to take but admire. The beach is heavily populated with remnants of trees and driftwood. Lots of signage to learn from. The drive through the tour has landmarks to stop at. Free adventure

What a gem we have here! It's pure untouched natural beauty and a very pleasant place to walk along…read morethe beach, tide pools and even the grounds of the old plantation, which only has a 18th century garden shed and an early 19th century green house that looks like a Victorian church. Peaceful and serene!

This is a beautiful nature preserve with several miles of trails through gorgeous woods and a…read morecypress swamp. We've found so many different birds here, including prothonotary warblers, northern parulas, hairy woodpeckers, and more. There is a boardwalk over a pond where wood storks nest - it's off limits a few months a year. It's a peaceful and quiet place to hike. I wish there were bathrooms though.

Beautiful fall weather in Charleston, so decided to get some sunshine and fresh air while being one…read morewith nature at Dungannon Heritage nature preserve. The preserve is located off of SC highway #162 near Hollywood. Entrance to the preserve is free. This is a dog friendly park, so feel free to bring your fur babies! This is a beautiful park spanning 643- acres. There are several scenic trails that wander along the property. Bring your camera as there is a lot to see. The preserve has been set up to provide feeding and roosting areas for a variety of birds, Wood storks, Great Egrets and Blue Herons. You may also see alligators, deer and squirrels along the way. The trails are well maintained and clearly marked. There is not a restroom or picnic tables at this park. However, there is a gorgeous 300- foot boardwalk with an observation deck overlooking the swamp/pond. I had a picnic lunch here as I watched an alligator sun bathe and fish jump. It was so peaceful. If you are looking for a few hours to get back to nature and see beautiful views and some wildlife, you need to add Dungannon to your "Must See" list.

Angel Oak is a great little detour if you are nearby. That is exactly what we did!…read more It's located off a little dirt road with very little signage. There is parking available outside the fence or handicap parking is located within the perimeters. The Angel Oak is a massive tree and certainly impressive to see in person. It is a protected tree, so there are some roped off area and signs requesting you to be respectful of the grounds, roots, limbs, etc. There is a picnic area within view of the tree. As you are heading out, stop by the little gift shop!

This is an amazing tree, and if I were rating JUST the tree, I would have given it 6 starts out of…read more5! It is majestic, and beautiful, and standing near it one can just imagine all the history that has unfolded under its branches. The fact that it is FREE to visit makes it even better. Too bad there are two drawbacks to a visit to the Angel Oak. One is the parking, which is VERY limited. When you drive through the gates of the enclosure because you failed to note the small faded and partially obscured sign telling you that only handicapped parking was allowed inside the fence, you might be "greeted" as we were by a very unfriendly person who pointed to the gate and told us to follow the car that was on its way out. No explanation, No consideration that it was very close to closing, we had an elderly person with us, and the "regular" parking was about half a block away from the actual entrance, along the side of the road, with uneven terrain. Nevertheless, we persevered, slowly making our way back to the entrance. The tree itself is surrounded by signs warning of all the DON'Ts you must attend to, and there are quite a few. I understand it is fragile and they want to protect it, but there are ways to word directions so that they are welcoming, celebrating the wonder that is this tree, and encouraging appropriate behavior, not so off-putting and admonishing in tone. A very short visit to the gift shop was drawback #2. The sign directs it is a ONE WAY path as you enter through the back door (that is right, the front door sports a sign saying it is NOT an entrance... one must search for another way in. Once inside, the same person who refused our request to park oversaw the gift shop visitors stood with arms folded and a scowl as well made our way through. The items were mostly very overpriced and aged (for example, a cloth patch of the state symbol was priced at $16, much more than I usually pay for a patch, and not even one specific to this location). So, the visit, while not a complete failure, fell far short of our expectations. Angel Oak is a spectacular tree, and deserves to be surrounded by a site that celebrates its wonder.

Realistically, a five star rating is more a reflection of the fact that I want the space to remain…read moreas it is rather than an endorsement of the amenities provided. The worst parts of South Carolina are the overdeveloped ones. This area, being quite undeveloped, has many interesting sights, but also dirt roads, limited parking, and while I visited in the winter I expect the conditions can get quite hostile with the peak season bugs. I took the I'on swamp trail. I could not figure out what the name meant through a cursory online search, nor did any of the signage there clarify it for me. The trail takes one through a wooded area that used to be rice paddies; the organization of the ponds is still evident, but it's fascinating watching natural forces take over the area. There are a number of other interesting stops for outdoorsy types, most notably part of the majestic Palmetto Trail, but the most important thing is that it's not a golf course. Then again, it would be hard to build anything under the conditions in these swamps, and exploring the areas certainly makes one think about their history.

Palmetto Trail is a really nice trail, admittedly! You can tell that park management makes sure…read morethat the foot path is kept up really nice and that its wilderness is proactively cared for by volunteers and park service personnel, and not left for dead like I've seen in some remote state forests. I was really happy to be camping in a forest where there were no bears (YAY!) so that I could relax a bit and focus on the hike without one hand constantly on a can of bear spray. My initial plan was to hike the whole of the trail after having applied for a permit to hike and camp there, and having the permit signed and approved by the park service before I ever even boarded my flight to SC. So the only people who knew that I was there hiking on those dates were the park administrators who approved the permit. :) Yet about 4 days into my hike, at mile marker 10, around 1 o'clock in the afternoon, two hillbillies walked onto the trail carrying guns. It was 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Hunters don't generally start their day to hunt game at 1 o'clock on a sunny afternoon, and since I wasn't born last Tuesday I knew something in the water wasn't clean. Those damn city people, always glass half empty! So I went off trail into a dense thicket to just sit and relax, perhaps even camp overnight until I felt safe enough to move forward on the path of the trail that I was on (since I was alone). Because hunters with guns and recreational hiking trails go together like pet pooches and chocolate treats. Well, that relaxation didn't last long. Long story short, after somehow hunting and finding me in the thicket where I had gone off of the trail, then tapping on trees and instruments and whatever else they could find to make menacing noises (to terrorize me), those same two hillbillies then began to shoot rounds at me, chasing me back onto the foot path, where I then had the opportunity to take a photo of their Silverado "Hail the Confederacy" truck parked on the forest service road at the mile marker. So Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb chased me RIGHT to where they were parked out in the open so that I could get documentation of who it was that was CHASING ME THROUGH THE WOODS AND SHOOTING AT ME IN BROAD DAYLIGHT! (those pesky city folks always thinking all quick! aw shucks! thought all northerners was on cocaine!) They seemed to have really thought all of it through, for sure. Oh but THERE'S MORE! They then came bursting out of the treeline with both of their guns drawn, looking like "Yippie Kay-Yay MF!" as they ran all their jiggly x 2 to that confederate truck, peeling off like the final episode of the Dukes of Hazzard. I immediately dialed 911 as soon as they were finished doing doughnuts on the dirt road (ok the doughnuts in the dirt part is an exaggeration for the theater of it, but they should have just gone ahead and finished off with this move) and I immediately filed a report with the local Sheriff, though I ultimately ended up having to file a Hate Crime complaint with the DOJ since this incident occurred in a federal park. Additionally, I made an amateur short film about the experience HERE. youtu.be/8DqzB-1NNYU Please enjoy at my expense :)

I really like the Marsh Island Park & Tower on Kiawah Island. This is a cool place to get in the…read moremiddle of nature and experience a marsh environment and all of the trees, water, and wildlife that is around it. I like the path that goes through the trees, a dock, and leads to the waterway. The tower is easy to climb and offers a spectacular view at the top of the water and a nice view of the beauty of the Lowcountry and nature. It is well worth it to find and check out this park and tower as it is quiet and out of the way and represents the best of Kiawah and preservation of a nice park and marsh. I had a fun and enjoyable experience here.

Beautiful and peaceful walk/run area around nature and natural wildlife, everyone was respectful…read moreand cleaned up after themselves in the area.

There are a lot of barrier islands around, but I can't think of another one that was this wild and…read morehas this sort of access. You can easily drive; it's only a minute off of the main highway to Hilton Head. But once you're there, you're walking into an atmosphere that feels a world away. The official paths are fairly wide and well-maintained, some are roads. The estimates given by signs assumed that you were pretty slow; I made it to the shell point and back in less than half the time they said. But it was still an hour and a half in what it must be said is a pretty hostile environment. You'll want bug spray and sunscreen (preferably bought somewhere inland where it's cheaper than it is in this area). And a lot of water. I never saw so much as a port-a-potty there, and there certainly wasn't any running water. And you need a lot of water. I bet that it's a nicer place to explore during the winter, which is generally quite pleasant in South Carolina, but regardless, the fact that a free space that shows of this fascinating environment is so easily available is worth considering regardless. If you tough it out, the gothic forests and aromatic marshlands will likely leave an impression.

This was a magical place - the swamp was amazing :). Loved the egrets, cranes, alligators, turtles…read moreand soothing nature sounds!

This was so fun to learn about so many plants in the wildlife and we even got to see turtles mixing…read morewith alligators and not be eaten. We love the train it was a easy way to see a lot of the plantation and I WOULD do it again.

This mostly residential island offers a trail with boardwalk on the waterfront. It runs between…read moresome parks and offers a good set of views. It was well attended during my visit. There are wilder and more interesting places to go nearby, but if you just want a nice walk this is it.

Charleston is a great place for runners to live, because you can run year-round here and the area…read moreoffers a lot of local races and events. Everyone knows about the Cooper River Bridge, but the Daniel Island trails are one of Charleston running's best-kept secrets. The Daniel Island trails are not technical or muddy, but soft and packed. This is great if you're injury-prone or just want to give your legs a break from harder surfaces like the bridge, which can be rough on your knees/legs. Wooden boardwalk style bridges break up the trails, and if you're looking for a run or walk with a view, this is it. You won't find many roots or limbs, and there are water fountains. Every time I have been here in the evenings, I have seen others running, walking, biking, or walking dogs on the trail. I feel like it is a very safe place to run or walk, but as always, be aware of your surroundings. Another big advantage in the summer months: the trails are shaded and you get a breeze from the river.

From a wildlife photographer's standpoint, Hunting Island State Park is one of the most…read morecomposition-rich coastal environments on the East Coast. The boneyard beach is the anchor. The driftwood structures aren't just visually interesting--they create natural leading lines, foreground framing, and layered depth that elevate otherwise standard coastal shots. At sunrise, when you get low-angle light cutting across the textures, it turns into a high-yield shooting window. This is where you can separate your work from typical "flat beach" imagery. The wildlife density is solid and consistent. Wading birds--egrets, herons, ibis--are active along the marsh edges and tidal pools, especially during falling tide. You can realistically work behavior (feeding, flight, interaction) rather than just static portraits. The maritime forest adds another layer with deer that are relatively tolerant of quiet movement, giving you opportunities for cleaner environmental compositions instead of tight, compressed shots. Lighting conditions are a major advantage. You've got: * Sunrise over the Atlantic clean directional light for beach/driftwood work * Golden hour in the marsh warm side light with reflective water surfaces * Fog/mist mornings soft, diffused conditions that simplify backgrounds From a technical standpoint, longer glass (600mm + extender like you run) is ideal for bird work, but you'll want something in the 24-105 range as well--the environment here is strong enough to justify wider compositions, especially when you can integrate wildlife into the scene. Accessibility is another win. You don't have to hike miles to get into productive zones, which means more time shooting and less time moving gear. That matters when you're trying to maximize short light windows. Bottom line: this is a portfolio-building location, not just a casual stop. If you time tides and light correctly, you can walk away with both strong wildlife captures and high-end environmental compositions in a single session.

Just arrived at the campground here and a drunk lady in a state park across from our site wanting…read moreto sleep off her hangover at 10:15 am leaving her kids outside unattended didn't like we were yelling after our dog that escaped going into the street. She calls the office on us. These sites are so close to each other, if you get your neighbor kicked out you get more space to yourself. Very malicious favored regular campers have learned the game here and are overlooked breaking the rules. Wifi does not work.

Kiawah Beachwalker park is one of the better beaches in Charleston. Parking was $10 for the day…read more The lot is not that big but had no problem finding a spot in the month of March. Short walk to a board walk that a nice bathroom, showers, water refill station and even a dog bathing area. Very impressive! Short walk to the water. It's was low tide so plenty of beach to walk on. Headed down to the end on the right side about 1 1/2 mile walk. Saw two dolphins and rare birds that were migrating. Off the tide is in the beach area to seat on will be limited. Great place to walk your dog and ride your bike.

Kiawah's beachwalker county park happens to be the nearest as well as the best beach located…read moreclosest to Charleston, SC. Arrived during March which is void of lifeguards and with 60° of water surface temperature. Obviously, sunbathing and strolling the sand while birdwatching is the favorite pastime. However, be prepared if visiting during hightide as the amount of walkable sand is scarce. I was impressed that the Restrooms and changing area were clean and immaculate. Although showers were plentiful, there needed to have some within closed door locations for those seeking complete privacy.