This was my first time visiting this trail. There was plenty of parking in the lot as it was early…read morein the morning. The trail is marked with mile markers and there is a map at the beginning of the trail. Easy to follow and navigate your way. There is a fitness area which I thought was neat. There are no accessible restrooms available that I saw. There are no animal waste areas that are available that I saw. I will definitely try this trail again.

Amazing piece of Mother Nature! This trail is rejuvenating! And what a perfect Southern fall day!read more

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.

There are many units of the NWR, so be sure if you are using GPS, you choose the one you want. That…read morebeing said, a GPS accident took us to the Cuddo unit, which ended up being fantastic!! You have a scenic drive through the unit that really gives you a feel for the nature in the area. Complete with an alligator alley that probably sees a fair share when it's warm and sunny, there are many things to do! Hiking trails, picturesque overlooks, and all from your vehicle! The main unit (Bluff I think but not sure!) has Fort Watson, which was a British fort, or the remains of it anyway, and an ancient Indian Burial Mound, with a platform and stairs with an amazing lake view from the top. There's also birding opportunities and a visitor center with more lake overlooks and selfie opportunities if you are into that sort of thing. It's not a terribly long drive from town, either, so if you're like me and just need "nature breaks" once a month to get out of the grind, the Santee Cooper area has plenty to offer!

The State of SC established the Santee National Wildlife Refuge in 1941 to compensate for the…read morehabitat destruction caused by the creation and flooding of the Santee Cooper Lakes. The refuge includes over 15,000 acres (4,448 owned by the US Fish and Wildlife Service) and the rest in coordination with the South Carolina Public Service Authority. Visitors can enjoy 39 miles of shoreline along Lake Marion, SC's largest lake. Birders can enjoy migratory ducks and geese in winter, in addition to song birds, raptors, marsh birds, and wetlands wildlife in multiple migratory bird sanctuaries. The refuge includes four units with diverse which offer wildlife observation, education, interpretation, photography, hunting and fishing opportunities. There is a Visitors Center and 7.5-mile wildlife drive (Caddo unit), a canoe trail, observation towers, miles of hiking/biking trails, elevated boardwalks, towers and some of the best bird watching in America. The Santee Christmas Bird Count is touted as one of the best, if not the best, inland CBC east of the Mississippi and north of Florida. You can't miss visiting the thousand year old Indian Mound, built by the matrilineal Santee tribe. During the Revolutionary War, it became Fort Watson, a British battlement overtaken by General Francis Marion-- the "Swamp Fox." This story also introduced the word "mayhem" into the English language. The fighting here proved Marion's tactical skill and makes this one of the most pivotal victories of the American struggle for independence.

An awesome place that is pure nature with miles of hiking, biking trails. Wildlife from gators,…read morebobcats, deer, Fox, ospreys, snakes and hawks. A ton of old growth trees and access to the Back river via canoe or kayak only.

The only reason it's not 5 stars is b/c of the restrictions required: NO CIVILIANS UNDER 18 years…read moreold, period! Civilians need to get a Patron Pass from the Outdoor Rec Center ($10 for 6 months) and it takes about 2 weeks to get verified (background checks). Other than that, great trails!

A super enjoyable trail! Great views and it was easy to follow the path along the water.read more

Accessible parking in front of trail. The trail has mile markers which was great. No restrooms…read moreavailable on site. The scenic views were breathtaking. Highly recommend checking out this trail if you love a good hike out in the nature.

The moonlight paddle last week was awesome! They got all of us set up with equipment fairly quickly…read more(those who didn't bring their own) and then let us loose to paddle around the Intercoastal Waterway in the gorgeous blood moon moonlight. Afterward, they had a bonfire with hot dogs and s'mores to roast. Such a pretty and relaxing evening on the water!

So beautiful! We really enjoyed our time on the water. Jay, our guide, was very kind and…read moreknowledgeable. We saw lots of wildlife and it was very, very peaceful. Highly recommend doing a tour out this way- as there's much more to it than just kayaking!

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 :)

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.

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.