Such a beautiful place to walk on a far and for pets. The loop is pretty strait forward and…read morebeautiful. Also, if you want food you can stop at a shop or restaurant halfway thru the trail. There is plenty of parking and well lite with cameras.

Great little walking loop, it gets hot though so be sure to get there early or late on summer days…read more Pretty nice to walk around the pond though. We also like that it runs by the brewhouse so we usually stop for a drink. FYI there is a walking trail through the woods on the southwest side of the lake that will get to the coffee & book place.

Less than 2 hours from Charleston, this is likely the closest hiking area to the city that offers…read moresignificant elevation changes, several miles of different trails, and even a waterfall. I would consider this an intermediate hike - mate sure you check the map for the distance you want to travel (keeping in mind the up and down makes things feel longer), and keep your eyes peeled for the trails markers. It's easy to miss the arrows directing you, and you could end up on a different trail taking you out of your way. We selected a rightly 3-mile hike, and brought out dog with us. We all had a great time! It was not crowded, we probably saw a person every half hour at most. The elevation changes were tiring, but paid off with great views. Although we wore sneakers, I would recommend sturdier footwear. Carry plenty of water, as there are no services within the preserve.

Love this place! Great for the whole family! They have a stream to play in a waterfall and is great…read morefor walking or running.

While Congaree National Park is very different from many of the other National Parks I've visited…read morethroughout the United States, rest assured that if it's a National Park, it's getting five stars from me. Having now visited more than 60 designated National Parks, I can confidently say that each one offers something unique - and Congaree remains one of the system's underrated gems. My first visit was a solo trip in September 2021. The entire purpose of that South Carolina adventure was to cross another National Park off my list, so I flew into Charleston and made the drive up to Congaree. Like many National Park enthusiasts, I was thrilled to spot the entrance sign and officially arrive. I spent my first day exploring the visitor center, collecting a park stamp, patch, magnet, and Junior Ranger book before heading out onto the boardwalk trail. Even with some exhibits closed due to COVID-era protocols, the famous Mosquito Meter was alive and well. The 2.4-mile boardwalk offered an excellent introduction to the park's towering trees, floodplain forest, and unique ecosystem. Even in mid-September, the mosquitoes were plentiful - but thankfully they mostly left me alone as long as I kept moving. That evening, I camped in the park and enjoyed a peaceful night of sleep. The following morning, I joined a Forest Wellness program hosted by the National Park Service and Friends of Congaree. For over two hours, we hiked through the forest while participating in creative journaling exercises and mindfulness activities. It was a very memorable ranger led program!!! I returned again in May 2026, this time with two friends. We explored the visitor center, watched the park film, completed our Junior Ranger books (you're never too old), and spent time walking the boardwalk once again. We also paddled nearby Cedar Creek, which provided a completely different perspective on the Congaree ecosystem. Unfortunately, while we had planned to return that evening to see the famous synchronous fireflies, the weather had other ideas. Rain moved in and changed our plans. That's okay, resting in a hotel was good too. Like all of our National Park units, Congaree protects something special. While it may not have the dramatic cliffs of Yosemite or the iconic vistas of the Grand Canyon, it preserves one of the largest intact expanses of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the United States. The massive trees, winding waterways, cypress knees, wildlife, and quiet solitude create an experience unlike any other national park in the system. Sure, this is not a park that requires several days (or even a full day) to explore, but it is worth your time. Whether you're hiking the boardwalk, paddling Cedar Creek, camping, attending a ranger program, or simply marveling at the giant trees, Congaree offers a unique experience. Come with the right expectations, bring your own supplies (services are limited) and take the time to appreciate what this park protects. America's Best Idea isn't always about the grand scenery. Sometimes it's about preserving places that would otherwise be forgotten. Congaree is one of those places and I'm grateful it exists! Plus, Charleston and all of its city glory is nearby and awaits your visit pre- or post-Congaree!

Congaree National Park preserves the largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the…read moresoutheastern United States, which is what makes it a National Park. It is a primeval floodplain ecosystem, which is what makes it so beautiful! There are 11 trails at Congaree National Park, all featuring beautiful scenery and the value within nature. Beware of the mosquitoes! Because of this floodplain (body of water), this is a prime home for mosquitoes. They are known for their "Skeeter Meter," which is helpful in gauging the presence of mosquitoes. If you want to avoid the mosquitos, try to come during the Fall & Winter seasons, or during a drought. This park is 100% dog & RV friendly, and is a great place to take your kids!! Have fun, and take in the scenery!

This extensive tract of land open for visitation is barely a minute from the center of town, most…read moreof that minute spent driving on a short dirt road. The woods are open to pedestrians and people on horses, though I did not see any horses. The trails are extensive and on foot it would take a full day to cover them all, particularly given the fact that they are quite sandy. What were marked as streams on the map seemed just to be sand as well with no water; these must be transient streams. The main paths were quite large, while some of the more peripheral trails meant for humans only were more solid ground and less sand, but were a bit overgrown. No facilities were available, but the place was free and was no trouble to get to.

Hitchcock woods has changed their policies and no longer allows commercial trail riding ventures…read moreinto the multi thousand acre woods. Since I do not own a horse, and since my two legs only take me so far, the crown jewel of Aiken is essentially unavailable to me, a non horse owner. Who needs more elitist policies?

A woodsy oasis in an urbanesque environment. I walked the Firebreak and the Spiderwoman trails,…read moreboth about 4 miles. Very popular with mountain bikers, mostly with good cycling etiquette. Saw a million squirrels and five bird species.

This is a great spot for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. Great trails with lots of tree…read morecover to keep you cool. Some nice views of the river and you can dial up as much challenge as you desire.

In Columbia on business and needed to get out and exercise. I am so thankful to have found this…read moretrail on Yelp. It is a safe environment with plenty of people out walking, plus it's dog friendly. Beautiful scenery and homes along the trail and not to mention you're surrounded by water and the sound of the stream will keep you going. I did see a few people out riding bikes as well. I'm a biker myself, but didn't think that the trail was large enough for large groups on bikes. But then again, are most trails ever?? If you're in the area please do plan to check it out and go for a stroll. Parking is limited, but also available down the street.

It's such a beautiful park the paths are sidewalks so I could get thru with my wheelchair, the…read morecarvings are beautiful and the rest of the art on the walk is beautiful, it's the perfect park!

This is my 11th year bringing a groups of university students to learn about soils. Ruth Mead is a…read moresuper awesome person. She loves her job!

The name would be an ace Scrabble play if it weren't a proper noun (I assume; I see no explanation…read moreof where this word comes from on their website). The park scores high on its own merits, however. The area is substantial, and includes both boardwalks through some classic wetlands, an educational complex that includes a lab and a conference center, a playground, and a series of artificial wetlands created as part of a reclamation project. Despite the nearby local airport, I experienced minimal distractions. Though it wasn't the greatest weather day, I did see wildlife, including some fairly horrific-looking spiders and a raptor of some sort that allowed me to get unusually close (I stumbled on it before carefully walking away). Alligators were not visible, and in my experience they do tend to hide on colder days, but I definitely believe there were some around. It's a great resource for the community, and it's free. If I were local, I would be checking out the event calendar.

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.

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.