Lots of paths to discover and access to Edisto River. Nice gall for gatherings and park personnel…read moreare great

Welcome to Givhans Ferry State Park just off of highway 61. This park named after a ferry master…read morefrom the late 1700's named Philip Givhans. He ran a ferry down the Edisto river from Charleston to Augusta Georgia. The original site has been preserved within the park. This is a relaxing and tranquil place to unwind and shed the burden of city life. They offer a park, tent and RV camping spots as well as a few cabins. In the spring and fall they offer weekend music festivals,and they also offer the Edisto River Adventures which offer a full service tubing experience down the Edisto river from May through fall. This place is a must visit great for singles or families.

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!

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.

Beautiful park overall! Very nice trails throughout, and a nice swimming area near the park office…read more Restrooms were in great condition as well

This was a nice place to go for a hike with friends and a dog.People that are there seem to be…read moreextremely friendly. It's a clean park with a lot of different trails. It also has a playground, kayaking and boating. You're also allowed to fish there. I would recommend this. This park also offers a lot of benches to sit down in rest while Hiking. Please for a day trip with the family or friends.

I very much enjoyed this park and the walking trials that was offered. Very beautiful scenery…read morethroughout the park. There is an admission fee. There also is parking onsite with accessible restrooms. I recommend this park for nature lovers.

I followed the Woodland trail and the Alligator trail when I came. The plan was to do the whole…read moreouter loop from the Woodland trail, but at the end of the Woodland trail we could not find the connection to the other trails like the map indicated. We still had a good time regardless, getting to see the swamp topography and wildlife. I did not try the museum on this visit, but entry is included with the $5/person entry fee to the park.

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.

Great park. Not busy unless there is soccer. The playground is in full sun much of the time…read moreunfortunately and there is a creek right by the playground, so bring bug spray. Great trails, easy parking and clean bathrooms by the playground.

If you are looking for a beautiful park to visit, check out West Ashley Park…read more So beautiful! There are softball fields, a kids play grounds, plenty of hiking trails and a beautiful large lake and dock. We spent a few hours hiking the trails. They are well maintained and the views are breath taking. The lake is large and beautiful and looks to house several species of fish. There is a board walk and two floating docks on each side for shore fishing. We plan to come back with our kayaks for a day of fishing. There are picnic tables and a few BBQ grills. Perhaps a picnic lunch and then kayaking. The park is dog friendly with a leash. Lots of people walking and enjoying the quiet scenery and fall weather. You won't want to pass up West Ashley Park.

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.

We just got back from a canoe trip that included spending the night in the large treehouse. We had…read morean amazing time. Chris, the owner is an approachable guy with energy and excitement. We somehow forgot to bring water with us for our trip and he quickly offered to let us use his 5 gallon water jug (for no cost and he filled it for us). Booking was easy , directions and details were clear. Paddle was somewhat easy and just long enough to enjoy without getting overly tired. This is a unique experience that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a river, canoe and nature. Seems to stay booked pretty solid during the warm months so plan with plenty of time.

What a hidden gem in South Carolina. We had a wonderful weekend away to relax and unwind in one of…read moretheir three treehouses. Day 1 was about a twelve mile canoe trip (4-5 hours on the water) and day 2 was 10 miles (about 3-4 hours)- they provided maps of the river and mile markers posted on bird feeders along the route. The treehouses are extremely well maintained, sturdy, and clean. They provided cookware (pots, pans, utensils, etc.), as well as indoor and outdoor grills, a french press for coffee, soap, cookie spray, matches, board games, a hammock, and a lovely fire pit. Our treehouse slept 2, but there is a 3-4 person and a 6-8 (I think). Ours had one couch in the main room and an upper loft with a mattress and pillows (all extremely clean). Bring your own blankets or some sleeping bags, though. This is the last year under current management. The couple who currently own it built it all by hand and the love they put into it absolutely shows. They have confidence in the new owners taking over and we can't wait to see what the new people do with it going forward. If I could give them 6 stars, I would, but 5 will have to do. This is a treasure of South Carolina and you need to check it out immediately (but maybe keep it a Spring and Fall activity- there's no A/C).