Written by Rex Vogel, RVing with Rex explores North America one meaningful place at a time through destination guides, history, slow travel, and thoughtful storytelling. Drawing on years of RV travel and firsthand experience, the site helps readers move beyond simply seeing places to truly experiencing them.
Congaree National Park is more than a forest of giant trees. Discover how the Congaree River, flooding, sediment, and changing channels continue to shape this remarkable South Carolina landscape.
Towering trees rise above the forest floor. The boardwalk disappears into the shadows. The slow-moving water seems to barely move at all.
But Congaree is anything but still.
Much of the park lies within the floodplain of the Congaree River. Floodwaters move through the forest, old river channels become lakes and wetlands, and subtle differences in elevation determine which trees can grow where.
The more I learn about Congaree, the more I realize that its story isn’t simply about the remarkable trees. It is about the river that created them and continues to shape this extraordinary forest.
It is easy to think of a forest as a collection of trees growing on solid ground.
Congaree challenges that idea.
The park lies within the broad, remarkably flat floodplain of the Congaree River. Several times a year, the river spills beyond its banks, spreading across the forest and following old channels and low places before receding.
Each flood leaves something behind.
Sediment and nutrients replenish the soil while the river’s changing course creates abandoned channels, oxbow lakes, sloughs, ridges, and shallow depressions.
Even a difference of a few feet in elevation can determine how long an area remains flooded—and which trees can survive there.
What appears to be a quiet, unchanging forest is actually a landscape continually shaped by water.
From the ground, Congaree can look remarkably uniform.
But look at the park from above and another landscape emerges. Curving bands of vegetation reveal old river channels, ridges, swales, and wetlands created as the Congaree gradually shifted across its floodplain.
Some former channels became permanent oxbow lakes. Others slowly filled with sediment and became shallow wetlands and sloughs. Slightly higher ground escapes flooding more often while lower areas may remain underwater for much longer.
These subtle differences create a surprising variety of habitats within the same forest.
It is a reminder that the landscape beneath the trees has a history of its own.
The river may have moved on, but it left its fingerprints behind.
Some rise more than 150 feet above the forest floor. Bald cypress develop enormous trunks and spreading root systems, while loblolly pines reach heights that seem almost out of place in a bottomland forest.
Their size isn’t an accident.
A long, warm growing season combined with periodic flooding creates remarkably productive conditions. When the Congaree River overflows its banks, it carries nutrient-rich sediment into the floodplain, renewing the soil and feeding the forest.
But there is another reason these trees matter.
Much of the old-growth bottomland forest that once covered the Southeast disappeared beneath the saws of the lumber industry. Congaree survived largely because its wet, difficult terrain made logging exceptionally challenging.
Today, walking beneath these giants is a reminder of both nature’s productivity and what was nearly lost.
The trees are remarkable. The fact that they are still here may be even more remarkable.
Standing beneath Congaree’s canopy, it is tempting to see the forest as one enormous wall of green.
It isn’t.
The forest is arranged in layers, each with its own light, moisture, and inhabitants. Towering loblolly pines and other giants rise above the canopy. Beneath them are sweetgum, tupelo, elm, hackberry, oaks, and hickories. Farther down, smaller trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and sedges fill the understory and forest floor.
These layers create countless small habitats within the same forest, helping explain Congaree’s remarkable diversity of plants and wildlife.
The next time you walk the boardwalk, don’t just look ahead.
Look up. Look down. The forest is much larger than it first appears.
In a forest filled with enormous trees, some eventually fall.
Wind, storms, flooding, disease, or simply age can bring down a tree that has stood for centuries. When it falls, the opening in the canopy can be surprisingly large, allowing sunlight to reach a forest floor that may have been shaded for decades.
Almost immediately, the forest responds.
Sun-loving plants take advantage of the new light. Young trees begin to grow. The fallen trunk becomes shelter for insects, fungi, and other creatures while slowly returning its nutrients to the soil.
Nothing is wasted.
The fallen giant becomes part of the next generation of forest.
In Congaree, even an ending is part of the beginning.
Congaree’s giant trees might seem inevitable today but they weren’t.
Across the Southeast, bottomland forests like this one were heavily logged for their valuable timber. Congaree survived in large part because its floodplain was difficult to enter, especially when the river rose and roads turned to mud.
That changed when people began recognizing what remained.
Francis Beidler protected much of the forest from logging and later conservationists, led by Harry Hampton, worked to preserve it for future generations. Their efforts eventually helped bring national protection to Congaree.
Today, we walk beneath trees that could easily have disappeared.
That changes how I see the forest.
Congaree isn’t simply a place that survived. It is a place someone cared enough to save.
The forest we see today is only one moment in a much longer story.
The Congaree River continues to rise and fall, moving water and sediment through the floodplain. Old channels slowly fill. New ones form. Trees grow, compete for light, and eventually fall. Sunlight reaches places that have been shaded for decades and new growth begins.
The landscape is always changing, even when those changes are too slow to notice as we walk through the forest.
Perhaps that is what I find most fascinating about Congaree.
What looks like an ancient, finished forest is actually a living work in progress.
Congaree has changed the way I think about forests.
I came for the giant trees, the quiet water, and the sense of age. But the more I learn, the more I see that Congaree is not simply a collection of magnificent trees. It is a living landscape shaped by water, time, growth, decay, and renewal.
The river creates the land. Floods nourish the forest. Fallen trees make room for new life. And what survived because it was difficult to reach became something worth protecting.
Perhaps that is the real lesson of Congaree.
A forest can look still and timeless while everything beneath the canopy is changing.
And somewhere beyond the trees, the river keeps moving.
Enjoyed this article?
Share it with friends, fellow RVers, or your social network to inspire their next adventure.
Editor’s note
This article was originally published in September 2026. Information reflects what was accurate at the time of writing. Conditions, access, and amenities may change over time, so please verify current details before planning your trip.
To maintain transparency and editorial independence, this website contains no ads, no sponsored content, and no affiliate links—just firsthand RV travel experiences and practical information for fellow travelers.
Explore the Ashley River Road Scenic Byway near Charleston on an RV-friendly slow-travel journey through historic plantations, live oaks, Lowcountry scenery, and the Edisto River.
GPS tells you that the Ashley River Road Scenic Byway can be driven in about 25 minutes. Don’t believe it.
To truly experience the Ashley River Road Scenic Byway is to understand that 11 miles can easily—and should—stretch into two full days of exploration. Just 15 miles from the bustle of downtown Charleston, this National Register Historic District is a portal to the late 1600s. Today, it is a sanctuary of live oaks, gnarled roots, and Spanish moss that forces you to take your foot off the gas and match the slow, tidal rhythm of the Lowcountry.
Where modern tires meet 300 years of lowcountry footsteps
For the modern traveler, Charleston serves as the perfect launching pad for this journey. But long before asphalt, brake lights, and city markets, this path was dictated by the soft thud of moccasins and the rhythmic creak of heavily laden pack animals. Originally a Native American trading route, the trail followed the high, dry ridges above the tidal marsh, serving as a vital economic artery connecting the interior wilderness to the coast.
By the colonial era, European settlement began to reshape the path, turning a footway into a formal highway. It took more than thirty years of grueling, hand-cleared labor to finalize the route. The primary objective was grand: connecting the growing port of Charles Towne directly to the Ashley Barony—a massive, 12,000-acre frontier estate also known as the Wragg Plantation. This sprawling barony wasn’t just a piece of property; it was a powerful economic engine that helped dictate the early, complex history of South Carolina through trade and cash-crop agriculture.
Recognizing the unique majesty of the route even then, colonial leaders passed a law in 1721 specifically to protect the shade trees lining the path, making it one of the earliest pieces of environmental preservation legislation in American history.
When you leave the cobblestone streets of Charleston behind, roll the windows down, let the humid, marsh-scented air fill the cab, and look past the gnarled trunks toward the water, you realize you aren’t just driving through the Lowcountry. You are moving through a layered, 300-year-old monument to American history. Leave your schedule behind, and prepare to take it slow.
Save your roof, ditch the house, and explore unhitched
Because the ancient, interlocking live oak canopy of Ashley River Road hangs low and heavy, navigating this scenic byway requires a deliberate tactical shift regardless of what you tow or drive. Trying to pilot a tall Class A coach, a high-profile fifth-wheel, or a long travel trailer down this tight, two-lane corridor is a recipe for white-knuckled stress and expensive roof or awning damage.
The ultimate slow-travel solution? Set up a premier basecamp first.
⚠️ Big Rig Logistics Alert
DO NOT take your Class A or high-profile fifth-wheel down Highway 61. Protect your roof and AC units by unstopping at camp and exploring unhitched.
One exceptional choice for camping in the area is James Island County Park. This beautiful 643-acre park serves as a spectacular, quiet retreat that feels miles away from everything, yet sits just minutes from downtown. For RVers, it features spacious pull-through sites up to 80 feet with 20/30/50-amp service and full hookups, alongside modern bathhouses, paved roads, picnic tables, grills, and fire rings.
Campers enjoy easy access to the best of historic Charleston and the Lowcountry—including renowned dining, scenic parks, and sandy beaches—all while returning to their own private retreat at the end of the day.
By utilizing James Island as your basecamp, you can safely unhitch your daily driver—whether that’s a towed vehicle behind a motorhome or the heavy-duty truck hauling your trailer. This leaves the big rig safely parked and gives you a nimble, low-clearance pass to explore the Lowcountry completely stress-free.
With your rig securely leveled under the pines, use your first full day to dive into the deep, urban history of downtown Charleston—the very port city that Ashley River Road was built to serve:
The hub of commerce: Head straight to the Historic Charleston City Market. Spanning four vibrant blocks, it’s a sensory introduction to the Lowcountry. Savor a lunch of fresh local crab cakes or oysters and browse the stalls of over 300 vendors. Be sure to look for the iconic sweetgrass baskets—meticulously hand-woven from harvested marshgrass, preserving a traditional Gullah craft passed down through generations.
The architectural contrast: Walk the nearby cobblestone streets to the Nathaniel Russell House (1808). This beautifully restored Federal-style mansion offers a glimpse into the opulent lives of Charleston’s early elite, anchored by an incredible, free-standing three-story spiral staircase.
The layered history: Balance the opulence of the historic homes with a visit to the Old Slave Mart Museum and the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon (1771). The Exchange is a National Historic Landmark where the U.S. Constitution was ratified and George Washington was entertained but its lower floor—the Provost—served as a brutal military prison and a site for public slave auctions.
The coastal sentinels: Cap off your urban staging day by walking through the live oaks and Civil War cannons at White Point Gardens, overlooking the harbor. From there, you can catch the official ferry to Fort Sumter National Monument to stand where the very first shots of the Civil War were fired.
By the time you head back to your campsite at James Island for a relaxing evening by the fire, you’ll have the cultural and economic history of colonial South Carolina firmly under your belt—setting the perfect stage for tomorrow’s slow drive up the river path.
Roll the windows down and match the rhythm of the moss
With your Class A safely leveled back at James Island County Park and your toad (or tow vehicle) ready to roll, it’s time to head out. The official Ashley River Road Scenic Byway begins just 15 miles from the city center at Church Creek (Milepost 5.84).
As you turn west onto South Carolina Highway 61, the modern world abruptly recedes. The road narrows into a tight, two-lane ribbon of asphalt and the sky disappears behind an ancient canopy of live oaks draped in heavy curtains of Spanish moss. This is where you roll the windows down, let the humid, river-scented air fill the cab, and begin a slow journey through 300 years of history.
Stop 1: Old St. Andrew’s Parish Church
A quiet brick sanctuary that outlasted empires
Before you reach the grand estates, an unassuming flash of weathered red brick on your right demands a stop. Founded in 1706, Old St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is the oldest surviving church structure in South Carolina.
Pull your towed vehicle into the quiet gravel lot and walk the grounds. Its simple steeple and historic cemetery stand as a silent testament to centuries of Lowcountry faith, survived through earthquakes, hurricanes, and wars. Remarkably, this serene sanctuary still holds regular Sunday services today, bridging the deep colonial past with the present.
Stop 2: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (1676)
Wild, romantic pathways through a cinematic blackwater swamp
Continuing west, the first major estate you encounter is Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, founded by the Drayton family in 1676 as a sprawling rice plantation.
Unlike the manicured, formal layouts popular in Europe at the time, Magnolia’s gardens were designed in a romantic, informal style meant to cooperate with nature rather than conquer it. Meander down the tranquil pathways and cross the iconic wooden footbridges overhung by towering oaks, delicate camellias, and vibrant azaleas.
Your general admission includes a self-guided tour of these historic gardens, the conservatory, and an introductory film. To get the most out of a slow-travel visit, consider adding on these specialized experiences:
From Slavery to Freedom Tour: A vital, sobering look into the lives of the enslaved people who built and maintained this landscape, centered around preserved historic cabins.
Audubon Swamp Garden: A premium boardwalk trail that takes you deep into an eerie, cinematic blackwater cypress swamp where alligators bask on logs and egrets nest in the trees.
Stop 3: Drayton Hall (1738)
No electricity. No plumbing. Just raw colonial craftsmanship.
Just a short drive further west sits Drayton Hall, and it offers a staggering contrast to every other historic home in the Lowcountry.
Built in 1738, this stately home is the supreme example of Palladian architecture in America. But its real magic lies in a strict philosophical choice: it has never been restored. Instead, it is preserved “as-found.” Step across the threshold and you will find extraordinary original millwork and plasterwork, but absolutely no furniture, no modern paint finishes, no electricity, and no plumbing. It remains exactly as it was hundreds of years ago—a raw, unaltered look at colonial craftsmanship.
Be sure to explore the Stephen and Laura Gates Gallery to view a rotating collection of decorative arts and take a respectful, self-guided walk to the entrance of the property’s African American cemetery—one of the oldest documented, continuously used African American burial grounds in the nation.
Meticulous geometric gardens meet a living colonial farm
The grand finale of the historic estates along the core byway is Middleton Place, a National Historic Landmark that meticulously preserves the interconnected stories of the Middleton family, the enslaved, and the freedmen.
Middleton is famous for hosting the oldest landscaped gardens in the United States, boasting 65 acres of formal, geometric terraced lawns, precise reflecting pools, and sweeping vistas overlooking the Ashley River.
Plan to spend several hours here to fully absorb the working-farm atmosphere:
The House Museum: Built in 1775, the surviving wing of the house displays original Middleton family furniture, fine art, and historic documents.
The Living Stableyards: Walk among heritage breeds of livestock—including water buffalo, Gulf Coast sheep, and Belgian horses—while costumed blacksmiths, potters, and textile workers demonstrate the grueling daily tasks of 18th-century plantation life.
The Slave Quarters: Tour the preserved residential spaces and the freedman’s house to understand the profound legacy and skills of the people whose labor shaped these grounds.
Walk the tabby fort walls where history is still being dug up
The official byway concludes at milepost 15.75 as you enter Dorchester County near Summerville but your unhitched exploration has one last essential historic anchor: Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site.
Tucked quietly away from the major plantation crowds, this 35-acre archaeological gem preserves a bustling trading settlement that was highly active from 1697 through the Revolutionary War.
Because you aren’t managing a massive motorhome, you can easily park and spend an hour traversing the grounds. The highlights here are raw and evocative: the lone, standing brick Bell Tower of St. George’s Anglican Church, a historic cemetery, and a remarkably preserved 1757 fort.
The fort is built entirely of tabby—a traditional colonial concrete made from crushed oyster shells, lime, and sand. Because archaeological excavations are ongoing, you can often stand right at the perimeter and watch researchers uncover new pieces of early American history in real time.
The northern escape — winding down on the Edisto River
Follow the blackwater asphalt to your ultimate forest decompression chamber
Once your toad clears the colonial ruins of Colonial Dorchester, the official markers for the Ashley River Road Scenic Byway come to an end. However, a true slow travel itinerary doesn’t abruptly stop at a county line. Instead, the geography naturally invites you to follow Highway 61 as it curves northwest, transitioning away from maritime marshes and into the quiet, dark-water cypress country of the Edisto River.
The Edisto is one of the longest free-flowing, blackwater rivers in North America and its banks host two exceptional state parks. For the RVer, these parks represent the perfect “decompression chambers”—serene, forested sanctuaries where you can park the toad, hook back up to the big rig, and spend a few quiet days letting the layers of Lowcountry history settle in your mind.
Stop 1: Givhans Ferry State Park (The High Bluffs)
Premium full hookups on limestone bluffs above the tea-colored tide
Located roughly 15 miles past the end of the official byway, Givhans Ferry State Park sits on a striking geomorphic feature: limestone bluffs that rise high above the tea-colored waters of the Edisto.
For travelers transitioning from a coastal basecamp, Givhans Ferry offers 25 premium, full-hookup campsites (water, sewer, and 50/30/20-amp power) set on firm limestone bases under a heavy canopy of loblolly pines and sweetgums.
The Blackwater Experience: The park is a haven for flathead catfish, largemouth bass, and even eels. If the weather is warm, join the locals and cool off with a swim or a lazy float along the riverbank.
The Uplands Walk: Stretch your legs along the 1.5-mile River Bluff Nature Trail. This path winds along the edge of the high bluffs, offering sweeping, cinematic overlooks of the dark water below. If you want a deeper trek into the woods, the 5-mile Old Loop Trail takes you through quiet lowlands that erupt with wild, seasonal blooms.
Stop 2: Colleton State Park (The Paddler’s Headquarters)
A quiet, shaded loop built for kayakers and camp chairs
If you continue another 23 miles upstream along the winding river corridor (or a short drive further northwest on the highway), you will reach Colleton State Park. At just 35 acres, it is one of South Carolina’s smallest state parks but what it lacks in acreage it easily makes up for in pure, tranquil charm.
Colleton serves as the official headquarters for the Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail. The 23-mile stretch of blackwater ribbon connecting Colleton to Givhans Ferry is a premier paddling route, framed by massive, ancient cypress knees and hanging moss.
The camp setup: The park features a beautifully maintained, intimate loop of 25 shaded campsites. Despite the park’s historic feel, these sites have been thoroughly modernized to feature full hookups—packed sand pads equipped with individual water, sewer, and 20/30/50-amp electrical service that can accommodate rigs up to 40 feet. The central bathhouse is air-conditioned and meticulously clean, and the park even features an EV charging station and park-wide Wi-Fi access near the office.
The slow afternoon: Admission to this little pocket of wilderness is entirely free. Loan a couple of fishing rods and reels directly from the park office, find a quiet spot along the wooden river boardwalk on the Cypress Swamp Nature Trail, and cast a line for bream and redbreast.
As the sun dips below the tree line at Colleton, the dense canopy makes the forest delightfully dark and still. It is the ultimate antidote to the traffic of the city—a place where the only evening soundtrack is the wind through the tall pines and the gentle, steady ripple of the dark river moving toward the sea.
From movie-set swamps to historic battlefields and beach town sunsets
If you have an extra day or two to extend your Lowcountry wanderings, these nearby detours fit seamlessly into the slow travel rhythm before you pack up camp:
Cypress Gardens: Located about 30 miles northeast of the byway, this stunning, swampy escape lures nature lovers and movie buffs alike. Rent a boat to paddle through the dark, backwater scenery and towering cypress trees featured in The Notebook or explore the vibrant on-site butterfly house and reptile center.
Patriots Point & Fort Moultrie: Cross over the beautifully designed Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America, spanning 3.5 miles) to visit Mount Pleasant and Sullivan’s Island. Spend a day at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum touring the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, catch the views from the 1,250-foot Mount Pleasant Pier, and walk through Fort Moultrie to see defensive military history that spans from the Revolutionary War to World War II.
Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens: Famous for its breathtaking, moss-draped Avenue of Oaks, this Mount Pleasant landmark offers tours of a 1936 mansion, seasonal u-pick fields, a Butterfly Pavilion, and original slave cabins dedicated to sharing the history of the plantation and Gullah culture.
Folly Beach: When your brain is full of history and you’re ready to kick back, head to this classic beach town. Bask on 6 miles of sandy beach, search for dolphins off the Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier, and dive into local seafood eateries wrapped in authentic Southern charm.
As the sun dips below the tree line at your riverfront campsite, the dense canopy makes the forest delightfully dark and still. It is the ultimate antidote to the traffic of the city—a place where the only evening soundtrack is the wind through the tall pines and the gentle, steady ripple of the dark river moving toward the sea.
The Lowcountry afterglow: A final reflection
Trade your highway miles for a deeper place to inhabit
As the evening campfire begins to crackle under the quiet forest canopy, the true value of the Ashley River Road reveals itself. This isn’t just an eleven-mile transit corridor; it’s an intentional invitation to decompress.
In an era where GPS algorithms constantly push us toward the fastest, most efficient routes, choosing to spend days traversing a single, moss-draped historic path becomes a quiet, necessary act of rebellion for the modern road traveler.
By establishing a basecamp at James Island and matching your pace to the tidal pulse of the Lowcountry, the journey transforms from a list of standard tourist stops into a deeply connected experience.
You felt the physical shift as the dense live oak canopy closed overhead near Church Creek, traced the architectural evolution from the raw preservation of Drayton Hall to the formal symmetry of Middleton Place and ultimately found a restorative stillness by the blackwater banks of the state parks.
When you finally extinguish the embers, pack up camp, and prepare to hitch up your rig for the next destination, you will likely find that your internal rhythm has changed. Your watch matters a little less; the play of light and shadow under the trees matters a little more.
That is the lasting gift of the Ashley River Road. It reminds us that the finest rewards of the RV lifestyle are never measured by how many highway miles we can log in a day but by how deeply we choose to inhabit the miles we are already in.
Enjoyed this article?
Share it with friends, fellow RVers, or your social network to inspire their next adventure.
Editor’s note
This article was originally published in August 2026. Information reflects what was accurate at the time of writing. Conditions, access, and amenities may change over time, so please verify current details before planning your trip.
To maintain transparency and editorial independence, this website contains no ads, no sponsored content, and no affiliate links—just firsthand RV travel experiences and practical information for fellow travelers.
Some of America’s most important places don’t announce themselves. Explore Cowpens National Battlefield through the lens of slow travel and discover how one quiet South Carolina meadow became the site of a Revolutionary War turning point that still speaks to travelers today.
History isn’t hidden away under lock and key or reserved for scholars. It waits in old towns, along forgotten roads, inside weathered buildings, and across quiet landscapes that many travelers pass without a second thought.
The challenge isn’t finding history. It’s taking the time to notice it.
We often assume we already understand the past because we studied it in school or watched a documentary years ago. Yet history reveals new lessons each time we return to it. As our lives change so does the way we understand the people who came before us—their struggles, decisions, successes, and failures.
That’s one of the reasons I enjoy visiting historic places in our motorhome. Slow travel gives us the freedom to move beyond the highlights and spend time where history actually happened. Walking the ground, reading the stories, and seeing the landscape for ourselves creates a connection no textbook can provide.
Sometimes returning to a place reveals a story you missed the first time
Several years ago, I wrote about the Battle of Cowpens and the remarkable American victory that unfolded here on January 17, 1781. In this article, I want to look at Cowpens National Battlefield from a different perspective.
At first glance, it seems almost too ordinary to have changed the course of history. There are no towering fortress walls or dramatic ruins rising above the landscape. Instead, you’ll find an open meadow bordered by woodlands, walking trails winding quietly through the countryside, and a peaceful setting where it is hard to imagine that one of the Revolutionary War’s most brilliant victories unfolded.
Yet that is precisely what makes Cowpens so rewarding for slow travelers.
Some of history’s greatest stories happened in places that whisper instead of shout. They simply ask that we slow down long enough to hear them.
The quietest landscapes sometimes hold the loudest moments in history
More than two centuries ago, the quiet landscape at Cowpens was a backcountry pasture where local farmers brought their cattle to graze. On a cold January morning in 1781, this unassuming piece of ground became the setting for one of the most significant victories of the American Revolution.
Here, a smaller American force led by Brigadier General Daniel Morgan faced a larger British force commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton. What followed was more than a battle between armies. It was a victory built on leadership, adaptability, and understanding the strengths of ordinary people.
The battlefield itself became part of Morgan’s strategy.
The gentle rise of the land, the open fields, and the surrounding terrain helped transform apparent disadvantages into opportunity. What appears today to be little more than a peaceful pasture became the ground where an American commander changed the course of history.
Why here?
Why these people?
How did they overcome the challenges they faced?
Those are the questions that bring history to life.
Daniel Morgan: The leader who understood his people
Great victories often begin with leaders who recognize the strengths hidden inside ordinary people
Before Cowpens became one of the most important victories of the American Revolution, it became a test of leadership.
At the center of that test stood Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, a frontier soldier whose life had prepared him for the challenges waiting on that South Carolina battlefield.
Morgan was not a traditional eighteenth-century military commander. He came from humble beginnings and learned through experience—on the frontier, through hardship, and alongside the ordinary men who would eventually fight under his command.
That background mattered.
Morgan understood his soldiers because he was one of them.
His own life had been marked by hardship. Wounded during the French and Indian War and famously punished after confronting a British officer, Morgan carried both the scars and the perspective that came from overcoming adversity.
When Morgan looked at his army, he did not see its weaknesses. He saw its strengths. He earned his soldiers’ trust by building his leadership around what they could do rather than what they could not.
That may be Morgan’s greatest lesson for travelers standing on this battlefield today.
History remembers generals and famous names but every victory is built on ordinary people who follow, sacrifice, and believe.
Daniel Morgan understood that.
And because he understood his people, he changed the course of history.
Great leaders don’t ask people to become someone else. They build success around the strengths they already possess
On paper, the Battle of Cowpens favored the British. Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton commanded experienced troops while Daniel Morgan’s smaller force included both seasoned Continental soldiers and local militia whose reliability had often been questioned.
Morgan knew he could not defeat the British by fighting on their terms.
Instead, he built a plan around the strengths of his own men.
The riflemen opened the battle using the greater range of their long rifles to disrupt the British advance. Behind them, the militia fired several well-aimed volleys before withdrawing in an orderly fashion. The Continental soldiers waited behind the gentle rise of the land, ready for the decisive moment.
Believing the Americans were retreating, the British pressed forward. In reality, they were moving exactly where Morgan wanted them. When the American lines turned and counterattacked, the British force that had expected victory suddenly found itself overwhelmed.
The battle lasted little more than an hour.
The victory at Cowpens did more than defeat one of Britain’s most aggressive commanders in the South. It shifted the momentum of the Revolutionary War and helped set the stage for Cornwallis’s surrender at Yorktown later that year.
Standing on the battlefield today, it is easy to see only a peaceful meadow.
Yet this quiet landscape reminds us that history often turns not on overwhelming strength but on leadership, preparation, and the ability to adapt.
Some places reveal their stories only when we slow down enough to walk them
One of the great gifts of visiting a historic battlefield is the opportunity to step away from the pages of a book and stand where history happened.
At Cowpens National Battlefield, that experience begins simply.
The visitor center provides exhibits, a short film, and displays that place the events of January 17, 1781 into context. But the real story begins when you step outside and walk the ground itself.
The battlefield loop trail winds through peaceful fields and woodlands. With each step, the landscape begins to take on new meaning.
The gentle rise of the land becomes part of Morgan’s strategy. The open field becomes the place where riflemen, militia, and Continental soldiers each played a role in a carefully planned victory.
A quick visit provides the facts. Lingering allows us to imagine the people behind them.
What did the soldiers see as they waited for the British advance?
What did they feel knowing retreat was not an option?
How did ordinary people find the courage to stand their ground when the outcome was uncertain?
Those are the questions that keep historic places alive.
Cowpens does not overwhelm visitors with grandeur. Its power lies in the contrast between the peaceful landscape we see today and the extraordinary events that unfolded here more than two centuries ago.
A peaceful field.
A quiet trail.
A story of courage, uncertainty, leadership, and determination.
The best destinations are not always the ones that impress us at first glance. They are the ones that stay with us after we leave.
One of the reasons I enjoy traveling by motorhome is the freedom to explore places that others often overlook.
We are not limited to the destinations that fill travel brochures. We can follow our curiosity and spend time in places where the stories are not always obvious.
Cowpens National Battlefield is exactly that kind of place.
It is not a destination most travelers would place alongside America’s most famous parks or iconic landmarks. There are no towering mountains, dramatic waterfalls, or spectacular views demanding attention.
Instead, Cowpens offers something different.
It offers perspective.
For RV travelers, especially those who know the journey matters as much as the destination, places like Cowpens remind us why we travel. We are not simply collecting photographs or checking names off a list. We are searching for connections—to the landscape, to the people who came before us, and sometimes to ourselves.
A battlefield may seem like an unusual place for reflection but history is filled with people who faced uncertainty, difficult choices, and circumstances beyond their control.
Their questions still resonate.
How do we respond when conditions change?
How do we make the best use of what we have?
How do we find courage when the outcome is uncertain?
Daniel Morgan’s victory was not built on perfect circumstances. It came from understanding reality, adapting to challenges, and recognizing strengths others overlooked.
A hurried visitor may see a quiet field and move on. A slower traveler has time to ask why this place mattered, learn its story, and carry something meaningful away.
Reflection: History is waiting for those who slow down
The places we almost pass by are often the ones that teach us the most
When we travel by motorhome, we have a choice that many travelers do not.
We can hurry from one destination to the next, collecting sights and photographs along the way. Or we can slow down, follow our curiosity, and allow a place to reveal the stories it has been holding for generations.
Cowpens National Battlefield is a perfect example.
At first glance, it is simply a quiet field in South Carolina. Nothing about the landscape suggests that a turning point in American history unfolded here.
But that is exactly why places like Cowpens matter.
History is not found only in grand monuments, famous cities, or destinations that draw millions of visitors. Sometimes it waits in ordinary places—a pasture, a small town, a forgotten road—asking only that we look closer.
Standing on this battlefield, it is impossible not to think about the people who stood here more than two centuries ago.
They adapted.
They endured.
They made decisions that shaped the future.
Perhaps that is why historic places continue to call to us.
They remind us not only of what happened, but of what people are capable of when facing extraordinary challenges.
The most meaningful destinations are not always the most spectacular. Sometimes they are the places that stay with us long after we leave.
Cowpens is one of those places.
The battlefield does not demand attention.
It quietly offers an invitation.
Slow down.
Walk the ground.
Listen to the story.
History is waiting.
We simply have to take the time to notice.
Enjoyed this article?
Share it with friends, fellow RVers, or your social network to inspire their next adventure.
Editor’s note
This article was originally published in July 2026. Information reflects what was accurate at the time of writing. Conditions, access, and amenities may change over time, so please verify current details before planning your trip.
To maintain transparency and editorial independence, this website contains no ads, no sponsored content, and no affiliate links—just firsthand RV travel experiences and practical information for fellow travelers.
Greenville, South Carolina, offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors making it a vibrant destination with something for everyone. The city is known for its blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and a thriving community spirit.
When it comes to visiting South Carolina, Charleston carries much of the clout for its cultural and coastal charm. But just about 220 miles to the northwest in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains a quaint small city is carving a niche of its own as a visitor spot.
Greenville is an up-and-coming destination offering the best of both worlds with a small-town feel full of Southern charm balanced with high-caliber entertainment, sophisticated dining, and a vibrant arts and cultural scene. Voted among the nation’s top small cities to visit by travel enthusiasts, Greenville offers a legitimate reason for a tour of South Carolina.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Greenville is named after the lush green hills surrounding the city. But it’s actually named after Nathaniel Greene, a Revolutionary War hero. Greenville was called Pleasantburg until 1831 and you’ll still see the old name used for streets and businesses so keep your eyes open for that glimpse of the past.
Greenville began in 1768 as a grist mill and trading post as the foot of Reedy River Falls. So when you’re relaxing in the grass in Falls Park right off of Main Street, you’re actually sitting where the whole city began.
It seems amazing in retrospect but the stunning 28-foot-tall Reedy River Falls, the jewel of downtown and centerpiece of gorgeous Falls Park was once almost completely hidden underneath the Camperdown Bridge, a huge concrete highway overpass built in 1960. The bridge began to be taken down in 2001 and the beauty of the falls was visible for everyone once again.
Whether you’re a history buff, art lover, foodie, or outdoor adventurer there is no shortage of attractions and activities to fill your itinerary. The fun Children’s Museum of the Upstate and the scenic Swamp Rabbit Trail are just a fraction of what awaits visitors to one of the most charming cities in the Palmetto State.
Here is the complete guide of things to see and do in Greenville, South Carolina.
Greenville is known for its vibrant art scene, Southern hospitality, and outdoor activities
There are 30+ towns and cities in the US sharing the name Greenville but South Carolina’s was founded in 1786 making it the first of the group and the original Greenville. This is even mirrored in the city’s tourism slogan, “yeah, that Greenville.”
With a population of just over 70,000, Greenville is the 6th largest city in the state and the 3rd largest urban area. It comprises a hospitable community that brings out the best of Southern charm in a family-friendly atmosphere, perfect for visitors.
Like many cities in the Piedmont region of America’s southeast, Greenville experiences a mild, humid subtropical climate. The weather is pretty much enjoyable throughout the year with 220 days of sunshine ideal for scouting the scenic outdoors.
The city is proximally located in Upstate South Carolina offering easy access to other small towns in the state and major cities in the region worth touring. For instance, Greenville is approximately equidistant between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia.
Furthermore, it is a mere hour away from Asheville’s mountains and a few hours away from several gorgeous beaches on the east coast making it the sweet spot to make the most of a road trip to South Carolina.
Greenville guarantees no dull moment in the city thanks to a raft of fun activities and a long list of events and festivals scheduled throughout the year. Art is alive in the city and visitors should be on the prowl for selfie-worthy murals decorating its walls.
Meanwhile, wonderful events like the Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Live in NOMA Square (Thursday nights, 5:30-8:30 pm, March 13-August 28, 2025) and the Indie Craft Parade (September 12-14, 2025) offer endless entertainment for the young and old alike.
Finally, Greenville has some of the best BBQ joints in the south and with at least a thousand restaurants to choose from, the eclectic dining scene is one of the major reasons to visit the city.
One of the best outdoor spaces in Greenville, this natural oasis in the center of the city is a gem visitors will be glad to encounter. This awesome city park sits in the Historic West End district and features a lush green urban space where people come to savor the scenic sights and sounds.
The park has a range of recreational activities for adults and children as well as gorgeous public sculptures and stonework.
Visitors can marvel at the awe-inspiring 340-foot Liberty Bridge or enjoy a relaxed walk along the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Spanning the Reedy River, there is literally nothing like this bridge in the rest of the Western Hemisphere. Built to reveal the falls and stand like a sculpture, the concrete reinforced deck has a distinctive curve and is supported by a single suspension cable with supporting cables on the outside. The park also offers a unique 360-degree virtual tour of the area that is easily the highlight of the visit.
Bring your own bike or rent one at Reedy Rides to explore the nearly 20-mile-long Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail which runs along the Reedy River from downtown Greenville to Travelers Rest (a city in Greenville County). Stop at mile marker 24 to get your heart pumping at the Bike Skills Flow Park or pack a picnic and take a break along the way at the Furman University campus.
Tip: Before you head out, download the mobile Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail food guide to find lunch and dinner spots or the ArcGIS Interactive Map which bookmarks features on the trail from restrooms and water fountains to ATMs.
Visiting cyclists love this paved bike trail, touting the convenient stops and the full-service bike shop along the route. Recent riders said there are fun restaurants at both ends of the trail, in Greenville’s County Square and in Travelers Rest and some recommended detouring into the Furman University campus for a rest break or picnic by the lake. Others suggested relaxing on the patio at the Swamp Rabbit Brewery & Taproom in Travelers Rest.
There is no charge to use the trail, which is open daily from dawn to dusk. You can access the trail from four points in downtown Greenville: Main Street at River Place, Greenville County Square at Falls Park, Reedy View Drive City Lot at the Linky Stone Park, and the Cleveland Park Zoo. If you need transportation to a departure point, all Greenlink buses have bike racks. City bike rentals at Reedy Rides cost $20 for a half-day, $30 for a full day and $55 for a weekend (two days).
If you’d rather follow a guide along the trail, Reedy Rides also offers tours. See the trail website for maintenance closures or to download the free interactive trail map and other mobile apps.
3. Children’s Museum of the Upstate
Conveniently located in downtown Greenville, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate (TCMU) offers 80,000 square feet for fun, learning, and play. As one of the nation’s largest children’s museums and one of the first to become Smithsonian affiliated, TCMU provides an experience for play-based learning and hands-on engagement for all families.
Over 21 unique exhibit galleries reflect programming in areas of arts, humanities, sciences, health, nutrition, the environment, and community engagement. Families can grocery shop in Publix, climb to the top of Bib’s World—the museum’s outdoor playground—analyze and build in Construction Zone or explore Grandma Betty’s farm, an exhibit specifically dedicated to children 5 and under.
One of its highlights is the Reedy River Bed. This showcases an intricate structure of pipes, waterways, and fountains that will bring out the best in the young souls.
Location: 300 College Street, Greenville, SC 29601
Visitors should consider touring the magnificent Greenville County Museum of Art (GCMA) to taste Greenville’s artistic heritage. The establishment is home to predominantly American art but also incorporates pieces from South American artists.
Situated in the downtown neighborhood, guests can marvel at the largest watercolor collection by artist Andrew Wyeth. Furthermore, they will also benefit from informative programs featuring musical performances, gallery talks, and exciting hands-on demos.
Note: The GCMA will be temporarily closed from May 26 through June 9 due to construction.
Location: 420 College Street, Greenville, SC 29601
Open: Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am-5 pm; Sunday, 1-5 pm
Admission fee: Free
5. Roper Mountain Science Center
Science enthusiasts and budding space explorers can find inspiration at the Roper Mountain Science Center, an awesome facility dedicated to stimulating an interest in all sciences. The center hosts several buildings and faculties including a planetarium, butterfly world, arboretum, and observatory.
Thanks to various educational programs hosted by the center such as Science on Wheels and Starry Nights, visitors can learn interesting facts about the world of science.
These will especially be a hit with kids and a great way to spark their interest in science. While at the facility, take advantage of the natural trails to stretch out and survey the biodiversity at the Roper Mountain Science Center.
Visitors who’ve never had a furry friend can take the rare opportunity to practice animal whispering at the charming Greenville Zoo. The facility was established in 1960 and has become a darling to the Greenville community and first-timers.
Dedicated to appreciating and preserving wildlife, the zoo is home to various habitats occupied by indigenous and exotic species such as giraffes, lions, snakes, Amur leopards, and various domestic animals.
The center’s Quarters for Conservation is an interesting research program that sponsors efforts to protect endangered species like giant anteaters and Gibbon monkeys. Guests can also explore the zoo on walking and bicycle paths as children blast at the on-site playgrounds.
Location: 50 Cleveland Park Drive, Greenville, SC 29601
Open: 9:00 am-5:00 pm daily
Admission fee: $13; seniors (65+), $12; children (ages 3-12), $10
7. Paris Mountain State Park
Located 5 miles north of Greenville, Paris Mountain State Park is a popular retreat for families looking for outdoor recreation. The park was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and several park structures including the bathhouse—now the Park Center—and Camp Buckhorn Lodge hold a place on the National Register of Historic Places.
The center features historical exhibits while the park offers campsites, picnic shelters, a swimming area with a lifeguard, a playground, a camp store, and a 15-acre lake with fishing and canoe, kayak, and pedal boat rentals.
Although recent visitors said the scenery is underwhelming, many enjoyed the stone bridges and informational signage along the variety of hiking paths from the challenging Sulphur Springs Trail to the relaxing loop around the lake. Reviewers also enjoyed the variety of activities and said the park is ideal for families, dogs, and groups of friends.
Location: 2401 State Park Road, Greenville, SC 29609
Open: 8:00 am-8:00 pm, daily
Admission fee: $6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors (age 65 & older); $3.50/child age 6-15; free for children 5 and younger
8. Tour Shoeless Joe Jackson’s Home
Baseball fans can tour the final home of Shoeless Joe Jackson across from Fluor Field, the minor league home of the Greenville Drive. The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library displays artifacts and photos to preserve the legacy of the “greatest natural hitter to ever play the game.” You can also stop by his grave at Woodlawn Memorial Park where fans often leave baseballs and other memorabilia.
This performing arts center in the heart of downtown Greenville offers a 2,100-seat concert venue, a 400-seat theater, and an outdoor amphitheater. In addition to presenting Broadway shows, comedy, dance, and a variety of musical performances, the Peace Center is home to the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, the Greenville Chorale, two ballet companies, and the South Carolina Children’s Theater.
Recent visitors called this “an exceptional venue,” noting that even upper level seats offer a great view. Many also praised the attentive service from the theater’s staff and said they were surprised to find such a quality venue in a city the size of Greenville. Most reviewers found the prices reasonable and the proximity to downtown restaurants a plus but noted that parking was difficult.
The Peace Center is located downtown on the corner of Main and Broad Streets within walking distance of several popular hotels and restaurants. Some free street parking is available and there are several city-owned parking garages and lots in the downtown area. Check the website for scheduled events and ticket prices.
Location: SW corner of Broad St. and Main St. (101 West Broad Street, Greenville, SC 29601)
The best times to visit Greenville are March to May and September to November
Greenville’s cozy sunshine weather for the better part of the year with a short and mild cold season means the city is suitable for visitors all year round.
Fall is an excellent time to visit
The best time to visit is fall (September to November) when the weather is perfect (fading summer heat and humidity), top attractions like the Greenville County Museum of Art see fewer crowds and awesome festivals such as Euphoria (September 18-21, 2025) and Fall for Greenville (October 10-12, 2025) take center stage.
Fall offers an excellent opportunity to explore the city and cherish the fabulous fall foliage that blankets Greenville which is best experienced on foot or two wheels. Hikers and bikers have the perfect setting to enjoy discovering the city in the fall.
What is spring like in Greenville?
Spring is another opportune season in Greenville offering a great combination of mild weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful outdoors. Flowers are in full bloom and lush green trees make up the dramatic scenes in the city’s numerous parks and historic neighborhoods.
Spring also opens the door to the festival season. The Greenville Greek Festival (39th annual; May 16-18, 2025), Artisphere (May 9-11, 2025), and EURO Auto Festival (mid-April) ensure visitors are set for a fun time with multiple outdoor activities.
Peak Greenville season is summer
The peak visitor season in Greenville falls in the warm summer months.
Day temperatures soar to highs of low 90-degree Fahrenheit and top attractions get crowded with a fair share of hustling and bustling among visitors. Despite this, the conditions are ideal for indulging in watersports like kayaking, boating, and paddle boarding.
And to get away from the scorching sun, visitors can always opt for indoor attractions like the Greenville County Museum of Art.
Winter offers steep discounts
Winter, for many, is the most underwhelming time to be in Greenville especially after the holidays. With the crowds dissipating post the end-of-year celebrations and temperatures getting uncomfortably cold, the town is a shell of itself.
On the bright side, this period offers an excellent opportunity to take advantage of discounted hotel and RV park rates.
Greenville averages 5 inches of snow in winter.
Tip: Pack a warm jacket and extra layers of warm clothing if planning to camp, hike, or bike outdoors.
A variety of ways to explore Greenville’s vibrant downtown, natural beauty, and cultural attractions
Visitors have various ways to get around gorgeous Greenville when surveying its top attractions.
However, the best and most exciting option is on foot or by bike. Given the city’s relatively small size and pedestrian-friendly nature, it’s best to range over its top sights at a snail’s pace while taking the time to soak in the scenes downtown and interact with the friendly locals.
Bike around Greenville
Hopping on two wheels is a good idea especially when venturing into the open spaces in the city’s backcountry. While several bike paths and trail ways exist, the 20-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail accessible downtown is popular residents and visitors like.
Visitors can hire a bike from Reedy Rides which has stations conveniently located in the busy downtown district.
Rental rates: adult bikes $25 for four hours ($49 per day), kids bikes $20 for four hours $30 per day), e-bikes $69 for four hours ($94 per day)
Another great way to traverse the city is using the public transit system. Greenlink operates a fleet of public buses plying 11 fixed routes to various destinations within Greenville County. These come with bike racks and are wheelchair accessible for convenient commuting.
Fares: $1.50 per trip, $.50 for transfers, $12.50 for a 7-day pass, and $50 for a 30-day pass
Schedule: Monday to Friday (5:30 am–11:30 pm), Saturday and Sunday (8:30 am–6:30 pm), bus passing every 60 minutes
Tip: Greenlink buses only accept the exact fares when paying in cash and will turn down bills larger than $1 for a single trip.
Trolly routes
Greenlink also operates six free trolley routes with 20 stops offering a unique way to discover the city. The colorful open-air vehicles circle the downtown district from West End to North Main Street linking different points of interest including the Heritage Green Museums, Greenville Zoo, and West Greenville. The trolleys operate from Thursday to Sunday.
Although not necessary, a car will also take visitors around the city for those who prefer its comforts. Rental car agencies in the region like Budget, Avis, and Hertz can provide a quick set of wheels.
Taxis are generally limited in the city with only one taxi company ferrying guests to and from the airport.
The emerging food scene in Greenville makes it a must-stop-and-eat destination
Greenville is an interesting stop for food lovers and offers more than 1000 restaurants offering casual dining and fine dining. With some of the best BBQ in the country, delectable pizzerias, and sumptuous Southern-style dishes, travelers are in for a culinary rollercoaster like no other.
For breakfast
Biscuit Head
Nobody does breakfast in Greenville better than Biscuit Head. The restaurant uses fresh ingredients sourced from local farms in the city. Inspired by Southern cooking, the Biscuit Head serves tasty meals like mimosa fried chicken biscuits and pulled pork chicken.
The biscuit donuts are also to die for and the homemade jam buffet will leave a lasting impression.
Address: 823 S Church St Ste C, Greenville, SC 29601
Hours: Monday to Friday (7 am–2 pm), Saturday and Sunday (8 am–3 pm)
For lunch and dinner
Fork & Plough
This local joint uses farm-fresh produce from local farmers to prepare delectable and healthy dishes. The menu consists of everything from burgers to wings and the spot’s casual ambiance proves to be a draw to locals and tourists.
Patrons also fall in love with the pork chops served with herb risotto. The best part is that the resident chef introduces customers to a fresh menu every visit creating a unique culinary experience.
Address: 1629 East North Street, Greenville, SC 29607
When searching for the best Mediterranean cuisine in Greenville, this trendy spot on the banks of the Reedy River is the go-to place. With sumptuous servings of delectable dishes native to Spain, France, Italy, and Morocco, the restaurant has a magnetic effect on the locals.
Most-loved meals include duck duck goat pizza and lazy paella. The atmosphere is welcoming, with ample lighting and vibrant décor.
Address: 170 Riverplace, Greenville, SC 29601
Hours: Tuesday to Wednesday (5 pm–9 pm), Friday and Saturday (11 am–10 pm), Sunday (11 am–9 pm)
For food and drinks
The Trappe Door
Trappe Door is known for its Belgian and Belgian-style beers, signature cocktails, wines, and Belgian-inspired cuisine. The restaurant offers a unique dining experience with a focus on flavors and high-quality ingredients.
Borrowing from an idea started by Belgian monks in Sydney, Australia, this popular joint features 10 beer taps to go with at least 150 bottles of the best and rarest beer in the country.
Besides the drinks, The Trappe Door serves delicious meals like Belgian meatballs and flavored mussels.
Address: 23 W Washington St, Greenville, SC 29601
Hours: Sunday to Thursday (5 pm–11 pm), Friday and Saturday (5 pm–12 am)
For those who love the great outdoors, Greenville offers a variety of campgrounds and cabins that let you immerse yourself in nature while still enjoying modern comforts. Pitch a tent under the stars at a lakeside campground, find a scenic spot to park your RV, or opt for a glamping experience in a yurt, cabin, or safari tent. These lodging options are the perfect way to enjoy the area’s green spaces and natural beauty without being too far from other attractions.
Paris Mountain State Park
Just five miles from downtown Greenville is Paris Mountain State Park offering 39 paved campsites including 13 with tent pads. Each site has individual water and electrical hookups. Some sites accommodate RVs up to 40 feet, others up to 35 feet. The campground is convenient to restroom facilities with hot showers. There are also five trailside sites around the North Lake Trail Loop which each accommodate two small tents.
Not only is Paris Mountain a great place to tent or RV but you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, swimming, fishing, and more. And as long as you keep Fido on a leash, he is also welcome.
Travelers Rest/North Greenville KOA Holiday
The Travelers Rest/North Greenville KOA Holiday is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This KOA offers RV sites, tent sites, deluxe cabins, and even covered wagons you can stay in. The campground amenities include a playground, outdoor pool, ping-pong, dogpark, outdoor Checkers & Connect Four, gem-mining sluice, and more—all just 16 miles north of downtown Greenville.
Ivy Acres RV Park
Experience the difference with fresh air, country views, and wooded riverside walking trails only 1 mile from Interstate 85 at Exit 39. Just 10 minutes from downtown Greenville.
We spent a delightful week at Ivy Acres RV Park, an adult only (45+) park with full-hook-ups including 50/30/20-amp electric service and Wi-Fi available at site. Located on 80 acres of beautiful rolling countryside on the Saluda River, Ivy Acres is like a state park. We would return in a heartbeat.
Begin the day with breakfast at Biscuit Head to fuel up for the adventures ahead. The first stop is downtown Greenville to explore the city’s vibrant core.
A stroll down tree-lined Main Street is the perfect way to check out the multiple local businesses in the area including boutiques and coffee shops.
Head to the Saturday Market and shop for all manner of goodies and sample the freshest produce the local farms have in store from fresh fruits and ingredients to other merchandise.
Proceed to Falls Park on the Reedy, one of the most sought-after outdoor spaces in the city and marvel at the awe-inspiring Reedy River Falls.
Be sure to stop at the iconic Liberty Bridge and snap a few pics of the architectural masterpiece for the gram. Afterward, hit the city Swamp Rabbit Trail on foot or bike and soak in the sights within Falls Park.
Grab a quick lunch at the Lazy Goat to restock the dwindling energy reserves before opting for a more laid-back tour of the Greenville Zoo.
After close encounters with rare and endangered species, discover the city’s art scene at the Greenville County Museum of Art before taking the kids to the Children’s Museum of the Upstate to satisfy their hunger for knowledge.
Wrap up the day’s activities with a happy hour session then have dinner at the Trappe Door before settling down at your local campground of choice.
Worth Pondering…
As the old song declares, “Nothin’ could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning,” or almost any other time.
Charleston is a city steeped in history, beauty, and Southern charm. With its well-preserved architecture, picturesque gardens, and rich cultural heritage, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in this charming city. Here are 20 must-see and do attractions to include in your Charleston bucket.
Charleston is a small coastal city in South Carolina. Touring its historic homes, shopping along King Street and in the Charleston City Market, and getting a history lesson at its museums top the list of things to do in Charleston. But you can also dine at a wonderfully long list of restaurants and venture beyond the city limits learning more about this city’s history.
With its historic buildings, small size, easy walkability, and ghost tours, Charleston is very much like its nearby neighbor Savannah. One day is really all you need to see the highlights but more time allows you to explore the sites outside of the city center and try a few of its fabulous restaurants.
Founded in 1670, Charleston is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. (St. Augustine, Florida takes the #1 spot, founded in 1565). The city was founded at Albemarle Point as Charles Town in honor of King Charles II. Ten years later it was relocated to its current site. However, touring Charles Towne Landing is one of the best things to do in Charleston.
Charleston was a major slave trading port. You can learn more about this at the Old Slave Mart in Charleston and at the plantations that surround the city.
Charleston is a relatively small compact city. Most of the main things to do are clustered in the city center. However, there are a few key places to visit outside of the city such as the Angel Oak Tree, the plantations and gardens, and Fort Sumter.
Best things to see and do in Charleston
This list of things to do in Charleston is divided into two sections: things to do in the Charleston city center and things to do outside of Charleston.
Best things to see and do in Charleston (city center)
1. Go shopping on King Street
Take a stroll down King Street, one of the main thoroughfares through town. It is lined with a mix of boutique shops, popular brand names like Williams-Sonoma, Lululemon, J. Crew, and Pottery Barn plus high-end luxury shops such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci.
2. Charleston City Market
This is another great place to satisfy your shopping itch when you are in Charleston.
For hundreds of years, this was the main public market in Charleston. The main building was destroyed by a fire and rebuilt in 1841. Smaller buildings called sheds run alongside the Great Hall.
The sheds and the Great Hall are filled with boutique shops, jewelry stores, and food stalls. It’s also a great place to shop for sweetgrass basketry, a handicraft that has an African origin and is a Charleston cultural treasure.
The Charleston City Market is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In the evenings on weekends from March through December the market reopens offering live music and food.
3. Charleston Farmers Market
If you happen to be in Charleston on a Saturday during the warmer months of the year, don’t miss the Farmers Market. Located on Marion Square you can shop for locally made arts and crafts, produce, or sample the foods sold at the food stalls. The market is so well done that Travel + Leisure named it as one of the top 10 best markets in the U.S.
Stretching along the water’s edge on the east side of Charleston is the Joe Riley Waterfront Park. This small park is covered with live oak trees and has great views of the Charleston Harbor.
The centerpiece of the park is the Pineapple Fountain. This iconic fountain is a symbol of the city of Charleston and one of its most photographed landmarks.
5. The Battery and White Point Garden
From the Joe Riley Waterfront Park, continue the scenic walk south along the water and it won’t take long until you reach the Battery and White Point Garden.
The battery is lined with cannons and has views across the water to Fort Sumter. White Point Garden is a small park filled with massive live oak trees which keeps the park cool during the hot summer months. Lining the park are historic mansions and some of the most expensive properties in Charleston.
The battery and the park are open 24 hours a day and free to visit.
6. Rainbow Row
Lining East Bay Street are thirteen houses each painted a different pastel color. This is another famous photography location in Charleston. It’s a popular thing to do and only takes a few minutes of your time.
Across the street from the colorful houses is The Tavern at Rainbow Row. They state that they are America’s oldest liquor store.
7. Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
Located just steps away from Rainbow Row is the Old Exchange Building. Built in 1771 by the British, it was first used as a prisoner of war facility by the British during the American Revolutionary War (the Provost Dungeon). In 1788, the United States Constitution was ratified in this building. It was later used for public slave auctions.
The Old Exchange Building is a National Historic Landmark.
On a visit here, you can visit the two upper floors of the building on a self-guided tour. Every half hour a 25-minuted guided tour of the Provost Dungeon is offered (the dungeon can only be visited on a guided tour). Combo tickets are available that include the Old Slave Mart, mentioned next.
It is estimated that 35 to 40 percent of enslaved people passed through Charleston. This small, educational museum is a must-visit to learn more about the city’s role in the slave trade.
In just two rooms there are exhibits about the trans-Atlantic slave trade, domestic slave trade in South Carolina, as well as presentations about slavery and its impact on the history and culture of America.
A visit here lasts 30 minutes to an hour. It is included on the combo ticket with the Old Exchange Building.
9. Tour a historic house
In Charleston, there are several historic houses to visit. Owned by prominent Charleston citizens touring one or more of these homes gives you another look into Charleston’s past.
Edmonston-Alston House
Located in the Battery and overlooking the waterfront this is one of the oldest houses in the Battery. It was constructed in 1825 by Charles Edmonston, a Scottish shipping merchant and later purchased by the Alston family. Much of the 19th century furniture and decorations still remain in the house as well as an original print of the Ordinance of Succession.
Guided tours are offered Monday through Saturday.
Heyward-Washington House
Built in 1772, this large brick Georgian-style house is considerably older than the Edmonston-Alston House. Thomas Heyward Jr. was one of four South Carolina signers of the Declaration of Independence and this was his home.
George Washington spent one week in this house in 1791 giving it the name the Heyward-Washington House. On a tour, learn more about the history of the home, see its historic furniture, and see its kitchen that was built in 1740.
Tours available daily, hours vary.
Nathaniel-Russell House
This historic house is gorgeous inside and out. Famous for its curved three-story staircase, this house was acclaimed as one of Charleston’s finest when it was built. You can tour the house on a guided tour or with the audio guide.
Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. with the last tour at 4:15.
Pro travel tip: Unless you have a big interest in touring historic houses, visiting just one or two is sufficient. These get to be a bit repetitive and if you are on a quick visit to Charleston (1 to 2 days) picking just one historic house to visit gives you more time to visit more places.
Aiken-Rhett House
This townhouse was built in 1820 and then enlarged in the 1830s and 1850s by Governor Aiken Jr. It is one of the best-preserved examples of pre-Civil War life in Charleston with its furnishings and its slave quarters which remain the same as they did since the 1850s.
Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. with the last tour at 4:15.
This is one of the shortest streets in Charleston and also one of the most photogenic. It’s easy to miss as you walk through Charleston and yet many walking tours of the city will include a visit to this picturesque spot.
It is located between Cumberland Street and Queen Street, a short walk from the Gibbes Museum of Art, the Old Slave Mart Museum, and Charleston City Market.
11. Take a ghost tour
Taking a ghost tour is one of the best things to do in Charleston. With its history of slavery, hurricanes, wars, and earthquakes, Charleston is filled with haunted places.
12. Charleston Museum
For museum lovers, this is not to be missed…visit the oldest museum in North America.
Founded in 1773, the exhibits inside of the museum include artifacts that have been collected since 1790 including some items from ancient Egypt and fossils from the Lowcountry. However, the main focus of the museum tells the history of Charleston with exhibits about the Native Americans who first inhabited this area to Charleston’s role in the American Revolution and the Civil War.
13. Gibbs Museum of Art
This art museum has on display hundreds of works of art by artists with ties to Charleston. Four centuries of paintings, sculptures, and miniature portraits form the main collection with several temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
With its fabulous restaurants and rooftop bars with a view of the city having lunch, dinner, or a drink with a view tops the list of things to do in Charleston.
Favorite restaurants in Charleston include Bar 167 (start your meal with an oyster shooter, don’t miss the focaccia with truffle butter, 82 Queen (the best She Crab soup in Charleston), Revival (fantastic Lowcountry food), Ma’am Saab (Pakistani restaurant, perfect if you want a break from southern food), and Carmella’s Café and Dessert Bar (the place to satisfy your sweet tooth).
If you want a drink with a view, don’t miss RITUAL Rooftop or Citrus Club at the Dewberry.
15. Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist
Opened in 1907 this church is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston. One of the highlights is seeing the stained-glass windows. We were only able to see the cathedral on the outside since mass was being held during our visit. From looking at photos online, it is well worth a quick visit to see the magnificent interior of this cathedral.
Best things to do in Charleston (outside of the city center)
Everything listed next is a short drive from the Charleston city center.
16. The Angel Oak Tree
Depending on the source, this Live Oak tree is somewhere between 400 and 500 years old making it one of the oldest trees east of the Mississippi. It is located just 30 minutes outside of Charleston, is free to visit (but donations are accepted!), and it is an amazing sight to see. Just think about the long list of events that have occurred during this tree’s lifetime.
One of the best things to do in Charleston is to visit one or more plantations that sit just outside of the city. There are four popular plantations to choose from.
Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens
Boone Hall is one of the most popular plantations to visit. And if you’ve watched the movie The Notebook, it may look somewhat familiar to you.
You’ll enter the on the Avenue of Oaks, a long driveway lined with old live oak trees and it gives an amazing first impression of this property. You may read online that this is where the Run Forrest Run! scene of Forrest Gump was filmed but it was actually filmed at Bluff Plantation.
Sitting at the end of that long driveway is the Boone Hall mansion. If you have seen The Notebook this house was used as Allie’s family’s summer home.
On a visit to Boone Hall you can tour the property on your own visiting the gardens and seeing the slave quarters. You also have the option to take a tour of the property learning more about the history of Boone Hall.
On the official website you can see the tours that are offered as well as get hours of operation and pricing.
At this plantation site there are no fancy gardens and no spectacular avenue of live oak trees. A visit here is more about learning more about the life and toils of enslaved peoples.
The tours here get some of the best reviews of the plantations around Charleston. There is no sugar coating of what happened on the plantations just an informative history of slavery in South Carolina. It focused on the experiences of the enslaved peoples rather than the plantation owners.
If you want to take an educational, informative tour about the plantations and the experiences of enslaved people, visit the McLeod Plantation. If you simply want to see manicured gardens and grand mansions then visit the other plantations on this list.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
A visit here is more about strolling through the acres and acres of gardens and forests on this property.
Six miles of walking trails weave around the mansion and through the gardens.
There are guided tours of the property which we did not do but many reviewers state that most of the focus is on the gardens without much history of the enslaved people.
Middleton Place Historic Landmark
This National Historic Landmark is home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America. It is acclaimed as being the prettiest plantation to visit in Charleston.
You can tour the gardens with a guide or take a tour to learn about the experiences of enslaved people who lived and worked at Middleton Place.
Charles Towne Landing was the first official settlement by Europeans in the area. Landing in 1670 English settlers lived and worked here for 10 years forming the first permanent settlement in South Carolina.
On a visit here, you will stroll through the gardens, tour the Adventure ship, and visit the Animal Forest zoo. Walking a loop around the site takes about 30 minutes. There are only a few things to see such as a few cannons and a house so it wasn’t an educational experience but it is a very pretty walk. There is also a museum inside of the visitor center which does a great job illustrating the early settlement of Europeans and their interactions with Native Americans.
19. Fort Sumter and Patriot’s Point
Fort Sumter
This sea fort was built to protect Charleston from naval invasion. Construction began after 1812 and was still incomplete during the Battle of Fort Sumter in the Civil War. It was damaged and left in ruins and never completed.
The National Park Service owns and operates Fort Sumter. To get here, you will take a ferry. Visitors can take a guided tour of the fort or visit it unguided.
Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum
This naval museum sits across the Charleston Harbor from Charleston and Fort Sumter. You can drive and park here unlike Fort Sumter.
This naval museum has several warships you can tour including a destroyer, a submarine, and an aircraft carrier (the USS Yorktown which served in the Korean War and Vietnam War and was the recovery ship for the Apollo 8 space mission). From here, you can also take a ferry to Fort Sumter.
20. Shem Creek Boardwalk
The Shem Creek Boardwalk is a short walking path/boardwalk trail that runs through the Mount Pleasant marsh. It’s an easy, scenic walk and offers nice views of the marsh and marina. This is not a must-do on a visit to Charleston but it is a worthwhile experience for those with a lot of time on their hands that want to go for a scenic walk.
Whether you’re looking for a campsite close to the city or a more nature-immersed experience, Charleston and its surrounding areas offer a range of camping options to suit different preferences and budgets.
Here are some of the best options for camping in and around Charleston:
James Island County Park: Located about 15 minutes from downtown Charleston, this 643-acre park offers camping facilities along with amenities like paved trails, a water park, fishing lakes, and kayak rentals.
Charleston KOA: Situated about 25 minutes from downtown, this campground provides a taste of Lowcountry charm. It features amenities such as a pool, snack bar, WiFi, cable TV, and a dog park.
Mount Pleasant/Charleston KOA: Located on the grounds of an antebellum plantation about 20 minutes from downtown, this campground offers a 1.5-mile nature trail, fishing in a 30-acre lake, mini-golf, and free wagon tours of Oakland Plantation.
Oak Plantation Campground: This family-owned campground is about 25 minutes from downtown Charleston. It has 200 sites and offers amenities like WiFi, cable TV, modern bathhouses, and an outdoor pool.
Edisto Beach State Park: While a bit farther from Charleston, this state park offers camping opportunities along with beach access and other outdoor activities.
When planning your camping trip, keep in mind that many of these campgrounds allow reservations up to a year in advance. Due to the limited number of campgrounds in the area, it’s advisable to book well ahead of your planned visit, especially during peak seasons.
In Charleston, the must-see sights include the Charleston City Market, the Pineapple Fountain in the Joe Riley Waterfront Park, touring a historic house in Charleston, taking a plantation tour, seeing the Angel Oak Tree, shopping on King Street, and visiting Fort Sumter. One of the best things to do in Charleston is to dine at its long list of restaurants and bars.
How much time do you need in Charleston?
Ideally, plan to spend at least two to three days in Charleston. This gives you enough time to visit the main attractions in the city center and spend some time just outside of the city, seeing the Angel Oak Tree, Fort Sumter, and touring one or more plantations.
The story of Magnolia Gardens is as much a saga of American History as it is the tale of the development of a garden. Magnolia Gardens is a landmark and a tribute to the American spirit, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It can trace its beginning back over 300 years to an untamed land.
Visiting Congaree National Park? Don’t miss these things!
Congaree National Park protects the oldest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. This small park is quick and easy to visit. Walk the boardwalk trail through the forest, go kayaking or canoeing on Cedar Creek, go birdwatching and fishing, and, if you like, venture farther into the park on a number of other woodland trails. In this guide, I cover the best things to do in Congaree National Park.
This national park protects the oldest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. The trees that grow here are some of the tallest in the eastern U.S. and this is one of the highest temperate deciduous forest canopies in the world.
This park sits inside the Congaree River floodplain. It is mistakenly referred to as a swamp. Instead, the flooding of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers bring essential water and nutrients to this bottomland region creating one of the most diverse ecosystems in the U.S.
What is a bottomland forest? According to the EPA, a bottomland hardwood forest is a river swamp. These forests are found along the floodplains of rivers in the southeast United States. The trees that live here (usually bald cypress, oaks, gums, and tupelos) are able to survive these seasonal (and sometimes year-round) floods. Of the estimated 30 million acres of bottomland forests that once covered the U.S. only 40 percent remains.
In Congaree, you can see some of the tallest Loblolly pines still alive today as well as bald cypress trees that are over 500 years old. Tupelo trees sit alongside slow moving creeks and oxbow lakes. Fish, amphibians, deer, raccoon, feral pigs, bobcats, and numerous species of snakes and birds all find refuge inside this park.
Congaree officially became a national park on November 10, 2003. It is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In 2023, 250,000 people visited this park making it the 13th least visited national park in the United States.
Congaree is one of the smallest U.S. national parks. At 26,000 acres it is the 7th smallest park.
The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is the main hub for the park. This is where the majority of the hiking trails start including the wonderful Boardwalk Loop Trail. Cedar Creek flows west to east through the center of the park. The Congaree River forms the southern border and out to the east there are a few short trails to hike.
Best things to see and do in Congaree National Park
1. Walk the Boardwalk Loop Trail
Distance: 2.6 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 to 2 hours
This is the best walk in the park. Starting at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, this all-boardwalk trail makes a loop through some of the best scenery in Congaree National Park.
The boardwalk trail is an elevated path through the bottomland where you can see giant tupelos and bald cypress trees standing in the water. The entire boardwalk trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Along the trail are numbers that correspond to the Self-Guided Boardwalk Trail brochure that you can pick up at the Visitor Center before you start this walk. It’s well worth it as it points out both natural and historical sights along the trail.
Pro travel tip: This park floods on a regular basis. After a heavy flooding the Boardwalk Loop Trail and other trails on this list can temporarily close. Before planning your trip and just before your visit, check the National Park Service website for updates on park conditions to avoid any unfortunate surprises.
Drifting along Cedar Creek in a kayak or canoe is the one of the best things to do in Congaree National Park.
There are several ways to do this depending on how much time you have and how much you like canoeing or kayaking.
Cedar Creek is beautiful and to drift along the water listening to the birds and the crickets and to see these majestic old trees is a very memorable experience.
Cedar Creek is a very slow moving creek. Paddling upstream is not a problem at all and really no harder than going downstream.
As water levels change, you could have obstacles along the creek that impede your progress. There is a chance that downed trees can block the creek forcing you to turn around or pull your kayak/canoe up onto land to carry it around the downed tree.
Renting a canoe or kayak
A canoe can be rented from River Runner Outdoor Center. You can either pick up the canoe from their office in Columbia or for an additional fee have them deliver it right to the canoe launch.
You can spend a half day to a full day on Cedar Creek. There is a 15 mile trail called the Cedar Creek Canoe Trail that starts at Bannister’s Bridge and ends at the Congaree River. You can canoe part of or all of the trail. If you use an outfitter like River Runner, they can drop your canoe or kayak at the starting point and pick you up at the endpoint.
The Congaree River Blue Trail is a 50-mile paddling trail on the Congaree River that starts in Columbia and ends in Congaree National Park. Learn more here.
The Weston Lake Loop Trail loops through old growth forest where you can see more tupelo and bald cypress trees. Like all of the hiking trails in Congaree, it is completely flat.
The best way to do this hike is to start on the Boardwalk Loop Trail, hiking in a counter-clockwise direction. At the trail junction, follow signs for Weston Lake and you will now be on trail #3 (there will be small, white signs on the trees with the number 3 on them).
The Weston Lake Loop Trail will follow alongside Cedar Creek for almost one mile. At the next trail junction, go left to continue on the Weston Lake Loop Trail and head back towards the Visitor Center. When the trail rejoins with the boardwalk, walk out to the viewpoint of Weston Lake. Then take the boardwalk back to the visitor center.
Wise Lake is one of the prettiest spots in Congaree National Park. This lake is surrounded by old growth trees.
Wise Lake is located near the trail junction for the Weston Lake Loop Trail and River Trail. From the Boardwalk Loop Trail, walk 0.6 miles on the Weston Lake Loop Trail until you get to the trail junction with the River Trail. There are signs here that direct you to Wise Lake. From this junction, you will walk about 325 feet to get to Wise Lake.
5. See the Synchronous Fireflies
For two weeks from mid-May to mid-June, fireflies light up the skies in Congaree National Park. During this time, the fireflies synchronously flash as they search for a mate.
The best time to see the fireflies is between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. The best viewing spots are near the Harry Hampton Visitor Center.
This has become such a popular event that in 2021 the National Park Service began a lottery system. Learn more on the NPS website.
Fishing is allowed in all areas of Congaree National Park.
In order to go fishing in the park, you must have a valid South Carolina fishing license. Catch and release fishing is encouraged. For more restrictions and information, visit the NPS website.
7. Bates Ferry Trail and the General Greene Tree
This off-the-beaten-path hike is worth it if you want to hike a quieter trail, see the Congaree River, and search for one of the oldest, grandest trees in the park.
The Bates Ferry Trail is really not all that exciting. It is the remains of an old ferry road that ended at the Congaree River. For the entire 1.1 mile walk (one-way), you are on a wide grassy trail that leads to a view of the Congaree River.
If you just hike the Bates Ferry Trail, it is a 2.2 mile out-and-back hike that is completely flat and takes about an hour.
But I recommend adding on a detour.
Getting to the General Greene Tree
The General Greene Tree was recognized as a South Carolina Heritage Tree on December 7, 2018. It is the largest bald cypress in Congaree National Park with a circumference of 30 feet. The tree is named for Revolutionary War general Nathanael Greene.
Getting to the tree is a bit tricky. From the Bates Ferry trailhead, walk 0.4 miles. On the left will be an unmaintained road. To the right is a metal trail marker with a #7 on it. Walk about 20 feet farther and to your right will be a trail leading into the woods.
On this trail, you will cross a metal bridge over a creek. The trail narrows beyond this bridge. Once the trail turns to the left, look for cypress trees standing in water off on the right side of the trail. The General Greene tree is located here.
The total distance from the Bates Ferry Trail to the General Greene Tree is 0.2 miles.
If you continue past the General Greene Tree, in about 0.1 miles you reach another unmaintained road to the right. Follow this for another tenth of a mile and you come to this low area filled with tupelos and bald cypress trees. It’s a beautiful part of Congaree National Park.
Getting to the Bates Ferry Trailhead: This trail is located in the far eastern section of Congaree National Park on U.S. Highway 601. As you drive south on U.S. 601, the turn off for the trailhead is located just past the bridge that crosses Bates Old River.
This hike is quick and easy as long as it is not flooded or muddy.
The Fork Swamp Trail is located near the Bates Ferry Trail so this hike is worth doing if you will be out this way. This trail leads out to the southern channel of Bates Old River, an oxbow lake created by a hurricane in 1852.
Getting here: On Google Maps, the trailhead is labeled “Fork Swamp Trailhead.” It is located on an access road on U.S. 601. There were no signs labeling this access road but the GPS coordinates for the turn off are 33°45’44.7″N 80°38’33.7″W. At the end of this short road a small parking area and a National Park sign indicate the trailhead.
9. The Kingsnake Trail
Distance: 12 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy to difficult
Time: 5 to 7 hours
If you are a birdwatcher, this is the best trail in the park. The Kingsnake Trail passes through sloughs of tupelo and cypress trees and runs along part of Cedar Creek. Crossing over the old, rickety bridges with views of the forest is beautiful.
This trail starts at the Cedar Creek Canoe Launch and ends at the junction with the Weston Lake Trail and Oakridge Trail. At this junction, you can retrace your steps back to your starting point or add the Weston Lake Trail or the Oakridge Trail.
The difficulty can vary based on conditions in the park. The trail is very easy to hike (it is completely flat) but downed trees and flooding can create difficult conditions.
This is a long hike. And for the most part, the views don’t change all that much over its 11 miles.
The short walk on the boardwalk at the start of the hike is the best part. Seeing Wise Lake is also very nice.
But once on the River Trail, it is a completely flat, monotonous walk through the forest. Most of the time, you are walking through oaks and other hardwoods, not through sloughs of tupelos and cypress trees that make Congaree National Park so beautiful and so unique.
At the midpoint of the hike you get a view of the Congaree River but it’s not worth it, not for an 11 mile round trip hike (if you want a view of the Congaree River from a hiking trail, do the 2.2 mile Bates Ferry Trail instead).
This hike is easy. It’s completely flat and very well marked with trail signs along its entire distance. The total ascent for this hike is a mere 60 feet. The NPS website warns that this hike is difficult since flooding and downed trees can make hiking challenging.
I only recommend this hike for those who are looking for a long hike away from the crowds.
There are other short trails in the park. Some of these are connector trails.
The Sims Trail is an old gravel road. Part of Sims Trail bisects the Boardwalk Loop Trail and this part of Sims trail is not worth it since you miss seeing the bottomland forests. The southern part of the Sims trail connects the Boardwalk Trail with the Weston Lake Trail, River Trail, and Oak Ridge Trail.
The Firefly Trail is a flat trail that runs through the woods just to the south of the visitor center. It gets its name since this is a good place to see the synchronous fireflies in May and June.
The Bluff Trail is located north of the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and passes through loblolly and longleaf pines.
The Oakridge Trail is a longer trail (7.1 miles) that passes through hardwood forests with oaks, gums, and poplars.
How many days do you need in Congaree National Park?
Since this park is so small, you only need a half to a full day to see the highlights.
I listed 10 things to do in Congaree National Park. The highlights are walking the Boardwalk Loop Trail and kayaking or canoeing on Cedar Creek. Adding on the Weston Lake Trail and Wise Lake is great for those who want to go a little deeper into the park.
If you have a half day in Congaree National Park, walk the Boardwalk Loop Trail and consider adding on the Weston Lake Trail with the detour to Wise Lake.
If you have one day in Congaree National Park, spend half a day hiking the Boardwalk Loop Trail and Weston Lake Trail and spend half of a day canoeing or kayaking on Cedar Creek.
If you have two days in Congaree National Park, spend one day canoeing or kayaking on Cedar Creek and one day hiking the trails (Boardwalk Loop Trail, Weston Lake Trail, and the Bates Ferry/General Greene Tree hike).
The best time to visit Congaree National Park is in the spring and the fall.
In the spring and fall, temperatures are warm (daytime highs can get up into the 70s) and mosquitoes are low. In spring and fall, Congaree gets about 3 inches of rain per month.
Peak fall colors occur at the beginning of November. We visited Congaree in mid-November. Daytime highs were in the high 60s to mid-70s and at night it got down into the 40s. We had bright sunny skies when we were here.
Fall is the best time to go paddling on Cedar Creek since water levels are ideal.
If you want to see the synchronous fireflies, plan your visit for the end of May to early June.
During the summer months, Congaree is hot and humid. Temperatures frequently get up into the high-90s and even up over 100°F. The humidity makes it feel worse and mosquitoes are at their highest levels at this time.
Flooding tends to occur during the winter months. Temperatures can be chilly but snow is unusual.
Inside Congaree National Park, your only option is tent camping. There are two campgrounds, the Longleaf Campground and Bluff Campground, and you must make your reservation in advance.
Outside the park, Columbia is the best place to stay (and eat). It is just a 30-minute drive to get between Columbia and Congaree National Park.
For RV camping and sites with more amenities, there are several options outside the park:
Barnyard RV Park: Located about 35 minutes from Congaree National Park offering 129 full hookup sites. We have stayed at Barnyard and would recommend this park.
River Bottom Farms Family Campground: About 50 minutes from the park with 52 full hookup sites.
Edmund RV Park: Approximately 40 minutes from Congaree National Park providing 65 full hookup sites.
Sesquicentennial State Park: About 28 minutes from the park offering 84 full hookup sites. We have stayed at this delightful state park and would recommend it.
Big Rig Friendly RV Resort: Located about 30 minutes from Congaree National Park with 50 full hookup sites.
Where to eat
There are no restaurants in Congaree National Park. If you plan to visit the park for the day, pack a picnic lunch. There are limited food options in Gadsden and the best place to grab a bite to eat in Columbia. There are a lot of great restaurants in Columbia.
Plan your visit
Entrance fee: There is no fee to enter Congaree National Park.
Hours of operation: The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
Get updates on road conditions and trail closures, as you plan your trip and just before your visit.
Here are some helpful resources on Congaree National Park:
This National Park floods in winter and that’s when you should visit. Trust me.
The US has 63 national parks stretching north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska and south to the Virgin Islands National Park in the Caribbean. While some of these parks are massively popular (I’m looking at you, Grand Canyon and Great Smoky Mountains), other names barely register. Congaree National Park in South Carolina falls into the latter category.
The park, which is named after an Indigenous tribe that once lived in the region, is the largest intact example of what the Southeastern US used to look like before the landscape was logged and cleared, beginning in the 19th century.
By the 1950s, very little remained of the once extensive old-growth bottomland forests, and the tract in what is today the park is the largest intact section remaining. What’s more, the park’s lush floodplain forest is home to some of the tallest trees in the country and it has one of the highest temperate deciduous forest canopies in the world with the average canopy reaching 100 feet.
It doesn’t sound all that tall but when you consider that much of the forests of the eastern United States have been logged at one point or another in the past 400 years, it is pretty impressive. Indeed, few other deciduous forests even come close to that.
Sounds great, doesn’t it? You’d think that everyone would be rushing to visit this ecological blast from the past, wouldn’t you? Well, they’re not, because most people haven’t heard of it.
Despite being only a 30-minute drive from Columbia, South Carolina, Congaree is one of the least visited national parks in the country. According to official National Park Service data, Congaree received only 204,522 visitors in 2022 (2023 data was not available at the time of writing), about as many as the much-harder-to-reach Virgin Islands National Park.
More people visit Great Smoky Mountain National Park in six days than visit Congaree in an entire year. But as the only national park comprised mostly of floodplains, this swampy paradise has one big thing going for it that its big-name competitors don’t: Its off-season is the best time to visit.
While most national parks see the highest number of visitors in the summer, June through August can actually be a pretty miserable time to visit Congaree because it’s so hot and humid there. Temperatures average in the 90s and mosquitos love the marvelously muggy conditions the park provides as breeding grounds.
As such, visitation numbers typically peak in spring and fall. But strangely enough, the winter months (and January, in particular) actually receive the fewest number of visitors. Use that to your advantage: These smaller crowds paired with daily temperatures hovering in the mid-50s, make for prime visitation time.
Though many of the park’s bird species do fly south for the winter, birding is still possible. It’s much easier to see birds when most of the foliage has fallen off the trees and winter is a great time to spot blue-headed vireo, winter wren, ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets, hermit thrush, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, and white-throated sparrows.
The rusty blackbird is another special bird to spot here in winter. Although the species has seen a long-term population decline due to habitat loss the winter environment at Congaree perfectly suits the bird so it is hoped the park will play a key role in ensuring its survival in the long run.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, floodplain forests like Congaree National Park are especially high in productivity and species diversity because of how rich the flood-deposited clay, silt, and sand deposits make the soil.
Regular flooding keeps the soil rich in nutrients which in turn help produce the park’s high number of champion-size trees—the largest documented specimen of their species. One of the park’s record-breaking champions is a 168-foot loblolly pine that can be found along Weston Lake Trail. It’s about as tall as a 17-story building.
Congaree typically floods 10-12 times per year—and it happens most often in winter. Any significant rain in the upstate of South Carolina can cause a rise in water levels in the park without warning. Hiking through the flooded forest is impossible (or at least highly discouraged) as you may find yourself suddenly swimming with alligators and parasites.
Good thing the park’s best views aren’t from its forested trails. Even when those are flooded visitors can still access a 2.6-mile elevated boardwalk. It’s a great place to catch a glimpse of some river otters which are less out and about when the floodplain is dry. But if that idea doesn’t float your boat, you can always take in the forest views during flood season from the seat of a canoe or kayak.
Speaking of which, kayaking and canoe tours are offered in the park year-round though you can also rent a craft and head out on the water alone. As long as the water is above about two feet high—and it usually is—it’s a straightforward, scenic float down Cedar Creek and back up to the landing as opposed to a potentially annoying game of bumper cars with the tree roots that criss-cross the creek. Plus, the higher the water, the deeper into the park you can paddle.
A quick disclaimer: While a typical flood will raise the water level to around eight to 12 feet deep, sometimes there’s a borderline biblical deluge. In 2015, the flood was so intense that the water gauge broke making it impossible to measure the exact depth of the water though locals estimate it reached a whopping 17 feet.
Very high and rapidly flowing water can increase the chance of your craft flipping, so don’t attempt to kayak or canoe without a guide unless you have significant experience. As it’s easy to get disoriented in a sea of trees, any sort of paddling without a guide is discouraged even if the water isn’t rushing fast enough to flip your boat.
When the water level is low, you’re confined to Cedar Creek which runs through the park. You can still see out into the surrounding forest but you can’t paddle into it. When the surrounding rivers flood water level rises and the creek rises and spills out into the forest. Just imagine leaving the calm comfort of the creek and entering the enormous expanse of the floodplain.
Tupelo trees enshrined in Spanish moss welcome you to the forest as do 125-foot bald cypress trees and loblolly pines. Great Smoky Mountain National Park could never.
At around 26,000 acres, Congaree is the seventh smallest national park so you don’t need a full week here as you do with some of the larger ones. Paddling and hiking the boardwalk trail each take a few hours so you could easily do both of these popular activities in one day while still getting a good feel for what the park offers.
And because Congaree National Park is so close to Columbia, you could easily make a day trip from there after enjoying visiting the Columbia Museum of Art, biking along the Three Rivers Greenway, and (if it’s Saturday) perusing the 150 or so vendors a the Soda City Market.
Congaree is also only two hours from Charleston. Congaree could be easily tacked on any kind of road trip around South Carolina or the South in general. If you want to stay overnight in the park, you could stay at one of the park’s primitive campgrounds or in the backcountry— just keep in mind that reservations are required.
If the park isn’t flooded during your visit your kayaking or canoe tour will likely take a break halfway through so you can walk around a bit in the forest perhaps searching for evidence of the wild boar that likes to root around at night. For a proper hike, hit up some of Congaree’s 25-or-so miles of trails. Most hiking trails start at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and are best explored when the park is not flooded.
In addition to the previously mentioned boardwalk loop, there are also a handful of proper forested hiking trails like the 4.5-mile Weston Lake Trail (a loop that offers regular views of otters and wading birds) and the 12-mile out-and-back Kingsnake Trail. The latter is the best for birding though some sections can be difficult to follow. The trail is marked with brown, numbered signs called blazes but if a blazed tree falls you could be in danger of getting lost. That is even more true if the vegetation is overgrown.
If the park is flooded, your only option may be the boardwalk trail but lucky for you it’s a beautiful walk that offers an excellent view of the seemingly endless forest of sky-high loblolly pine and cypress trees. Woodpeckers frequent the trail and you will probably hear them pecking before you see them so simply follow the sound to catch a peek. You’ll also see evidence of their work on tons of mangled trees.
Signs along the trail point out local flora, fauna, and unique items such as a rusted old still that was used by bootleggers who hid within the park during Prohibition. Other signs explain interesting phenomena like the knees of the cypress trees (knobby nodes shooting up from enormous tree roots). Sometimes rising several feet above the ground, these knees are generally found in swamps though their function is still unknown. If the park isn’t too flooded, you’ll see hundreds of them.
Spend some time in the Harry Hampton Visitor Center where thoughtful displays describe the area’s geography and early history including that of Native Americans, Spanish explorers, and enslaved Africans who were brought and forced to work on nearby plantations and farms and who sometimes escaped and sought refuge in the park’s wilderness.
Some who successfully escaped formed Maroon settlements and thriving communities in the forest where they relied on the rivers for food and the dense vegetation for safety and protection. Much of the land surrounding Congaree National Park is owned by the descendants of former farm and plantation workers, both free and enslaved.
As weekends tend to be the most popular days in the park this is when you’ll also find the most activities such as twilight hikes and owl prowls which are Ranger-led hikes to learn about the park (and its many residents) after-hours. Park programming depends on staffing levels and park conditions but be sure to check the park’s calendar which can include discovery hikes, nature walks, and yoga classes.
If you want to rent a canoe, check out a company like River Runner Canoe Center which can even deliver it to the creek for you and give you some tips before you head out. Canoeing the creek takes two to three hours but ambitious paddlers may also want to look into the 15-mile Cedar Creek Canoe Trail.
This water trail begins at Bannister’s Bridge, meanders southeast, and ends at the Congaree River. To complete it, you’ll need an outfitter like River Runners to drop you at the starting point and pick you up at the end which costs about $175.
Paddlers should also consider that while the Cedar Creek portion of the trail runs 15 miles, it’s another 11 miles until the next pick-up point at Bates Bridge landing. As such, paddlers should expect to paddle about a marathon’s length in total.
While it’s possible to paddle the entire route in a single day, it depends entirely on the paddling conditions and the paddler’s experience. Say, if flooding has loosened trees in the floodplain and they’ve tipped over and blocked the route, you may have to get out and carry your craft around and over to the other side (which is called portaging).
While this can sometimes be a quick process, in other cases you may have to backtrack to find a spot. If you have to do this several times, it could add quite a bit of time to your excursion. Most paddlers do this as an overnight trip which requires a free backcountry camping permit that can take up to 72 hours for the park to process.
Looking for exciting RV trip ideas and travel suggestions?
This ultimate guide brings all of my destination resources to one place! Browse LOTS of RV road trip ideas based on location or interests.
We have been living the RV Snowbird Lifestyle for over two decades, cataloging our trips from year to year. I’ve shared countless articles and resources to help fellow RVers enjoy similar travels. Now, I’m bringing it all together in this ultimate destinations guide filled with many great RV trip ideas.
You can use this guide as an index to discover new ideas or dig deeper into places or things you’ve always wanted to see. I’ve organized it into two parts: location and activities/interests.
So, whether you’re interested in Arizona or scenic drives, Texas or birding, Georgia or hiking, you’ll find excellent resources to help with planning your next adventure!
RV trip ideas based on location
In this section, I organize my many location-based articles and resources into an easy-to-scan index. You’ll see helpful articles and links to useful resources.
When something catches your interest, click through to the links to learn more!
SOUTHWEST
The Southwest has stunning and unique landscapes you can’t see anywhere else in the world. We have fallen in love with the Southwest—Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and California. From red and orange rock formations in the desert to green and lush mountains, there’s so much to see in this one area of the country and hiking and birding that can’t be beat. Then there is the beautiful national parks, state parks, and regional/county parks—and, of course, the Grand Canyon.
Visit Arizona for the iconic red rock formations of Sedona to the majestic Grand Canyon. Or for the vibrant cities such as Phoenix and Tucson which offer a range of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
New Mexico is a great destination for RVers due to its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. From deserts to mountains, RVers can enjoy a range of scenic drives and outdoor activities. The state is also home to a number of historic Native American pueblos as well as Spanish colonial missions which provide a unique cultural experience.
New Mexican cuisine is a fusion of Spanish, Native American, and Mexican ingredients and techniques. While familiar items like corn, beans, and squash are often used, the defining ingredient is chile, a spicy chile pepper that is a staple in many New Mexican dishes. Chile comes in two varieties, red or green, depending on the stage of ripeness in which they were picked.
D. H. Lawrence, writing in 1928, pretty much summed it up: “The moment I saw the brilliant, proud morning shine high up over the deserts of Santa Fe, something stood still in my soul.”
Every state thinks its fun. Every state claims to have something for everyone. But not every state has five national parks (The Mighty Five), 46 state parks, five national historic sites and trails, and a dozen national monuments and recreation areas. While it’s mathematically impossible to finish your Utah bucket list, I’ll help you plan the trip you’ll be talking about forever!
What is the quintessential wine experience in the Golden State? Where are the must-see natural wonders? Which beach is best? How do you decide which theme park to visit? Where best to spend the winter? Scroll through my favorite places to go and things to do and start dreaming about your next California adventure today.
Over the last decade, the United States’ southeastern portion has become the ultimate place to visit for people who love outdoor activities and sports. You will find plenty to do from whitewater rafting to camping and hiking the trails when you visit the area. The twelve states located in the Southeast include Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Kentucky.
From the mountains down to the coast and everything in between, Georgia offers well-known and off-the-beaten-path experiences in cities both big and small. From ghost tours and island resorts to hidden gems here are a few can’t miss attractions, stays and towns when visiting Georgia.
South Carolina is a state of variety with beautiful beaches, remote islands, charming cities and towns, watery wilderness, great golf, interesting history, rolling hills and mountains, and much more. From the Upcountry mountains through the vibrant Midlands and to the Lowcountry coast, the Palmetto State amazes.
From the foothills of the Appalachians through countless river valleys to the sugar white beaches of the Gulf, natural wonders abound. The 22 state parks which encompass 48,000 acres of land and water provide opportunities to fish, camp, canoe, hike, and enjoy the great outdoors.
Break away from the Interstate and take a road trip down one of Louisiana’s 19 scenic byways. From historic treasures and music festivals, to country kitchens and coastal wetlands teeming with wildlife, each drive offers you an authentic taste of Louisiana food, music, culture, and natural beauty. Start planning your trip here.
With everything from world-class horse racing to world-class bourbon, the list of things to do in the Bluegrass State seems almost endless. But with so many options, where do you even start? Here are a few experiences that stand above the rest.
Mention Texas to someone from another state and they might picture cowboys herding longhorn cattle across the open range or scheming, wealthy oil barons a la TV’s Dallas. The Lone Star State which was admitted to the United States after winning its own independence from Mexico still sometimes seems—as the state tourism slogan goes—like a whole other country. And, boy, do we have a LOT of helpful articles on this popular RV destination!
The Midwest, also known as America’s Heartland, lies midway between the Appalachians and the Rocky Mountains and north of the Ohio River. The Midwest is generally considered to comprise the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
North Dakota has uncrowded, wide-open spaces, and amazing vistas that take your breath away at must-see national and state parks, and recreational areas.
An often overlooked travel destination, South Dakota is a land of breathtaking scenic beauty.
Here’s the thing, visit South Dakota once and the place SELLS ITSELF. Much more than just the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and the Badlands, SoDak is the most scenic places you knew nothing about. Until now!
Hunting Island State Park boasts five miles of wild but beautifully kept beaches along with thousands of acres of marsh and forest land. It even has a saltwater lagoon and a beautiful lighthouse turned museum.
Hunting Island is a 5,000-acre secluded semitropical barrier island located just 15 miles east of Beaufort between beautiful Harbor Island and Fripp Island. It’s South Carolina’s most popular state park attracting over 1 million guests per year. You can visit year-round and enjoy miles of beautiful South Carolina coastline, a historic lighthouse, hiking, and camping.
Adding to the natural history of the big park is a piece of man-made history: South Carolina’s only publicly accessible historic lighthouse. Dating from the 1870s, the Hunting Island Lighthouse rises 170 feet into the air giving those who scale its heights a breathtaking view of the sweeping Lowcountry marshland and the Atlantic Ocean.
The history of the area as a whole goes back much further but the history of Hunting Island as a State Park began in the 1930s when it acquired that designation. In 1967, the forestry commission shifted ownership of the island to the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism and since then it has become an iconic South Carolina destination.
Today, Hunting Island is one of the last barrier islands that are undeveloped. Hunting Island State Park is a place where visitors come to enjoy a pristine natural area. So what do you need to know before your visit to Hunting Island State Park? Let’s dig in!
By the way, this is one article in a series of Ultimate Guides. You may find them helpful if you’re considering travel to these areas:
Within this huge 5,000-acre park, visitors enjoy swimming, hiking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, camping, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing. Due to the semi-tropical climate of the area, many of these activities can be done all year round. Although it’s an island, you’ll likely see plenty of wildlife during your visit. Deer, alligators, raccoons, rattlesnakes, and turtles are just some of the wild creatures you might spot during your Hunting Island adventure.
One of the top attractions in the park is the beautiful beaches where you can walk for miles in the sand and surf. You may even find some fossilized shark teeth at low tide and with a little digging. The best part about the beaches is that since the miles of white sand are usually uncrowded you may very well have a long stretch of paradise all to yourself.
As you explore the park, you’ll come across a variety of terrains and ecosystems including maritime forest, saltwater lagoons, marshes, and ocean inlets. It’s in these places that you’ll be able to observe a variety of plant and animal species thriving in their native environment.
Hunting Island State Park is so beautiful and so unique that even film crews have used it for filming scenes for blockbuster movies such as Forrest Gump and The Big Chill.
Hunting Island State Park is situated along the southeastern coast of South Carolina about 15 miles from the small town of Beaufort. Its location between Harbor Island and Fripp Island is telling of the type of area you’ll be exploring; one with several beautiful barrier islands to explore including Hunting Island.
You’ll be awe-inspired before you even get through the entrance to the park. You will pass through a sub-tropical maritime forest and embark on a scenic, but short, drive through stunning low-country landscape. This winding road with lush greenery will take you to the entrance of Hunting Island State Park where you’ll continue your adventure in one of South Carolina’s most popular state parks.
Hunting Island State Park is open from 6 am to 6 pm every day (park hours are extended to 9 pm during Daylight Saving Time). The best time to visit will depend on what you want to see and do. If you want to observe wildlife, the best time to go is early in the morning or into the evening hours but other than that, any time of day is a good time to visit. Just be sure to set out early if you plan to do a longer hike.
The office and visitor center are open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 11 am to 5 pm on weekends. The fee to enter the park is $8.00 per adult. There are discounted prices for South Carolina seniors and youths and children under the age of five years old can enter for free.
When is the best time to visit Hunting Island State Park?
You can visit Hunting Island State Park any time of year but ultimately it will depend on what you plan on doing there that will determine the best time for you to go. If swimming, kayaking, or sailing are on your mind, the end of spring to the first weeks of fall is the best time to visit with the summer months being the warmest but also the most crowded.
If hiking and fishing are on your mind spring and fall when the temperatures are cooler is the best time to visit. The best thing about spring and fall is this tends to be the time of year when there are fewer people so you get the trails and top fishing spots almost all to yourself. If you visit during the winter months it’s even likely you’ll have the park to yourself.
Originally built in 1859, Confederate forces destroyed the structure to ensure the Union would not be able to use it against them. A new lighthouse was built in 1875 using interchangeable cast-iron sections so it could be dismantled and moved should the ocean ever encroach upon it. Severe erosion forced the lighthouse to be relocated 1.3 miles inland in 1889.
Decommissioned in 1933, it still retains a functional light in its tower. It’s a 167- step climb to the 130-foot observation deck where you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding maritime forest. Due to safety concerns, it is currently closed to tours until repairs can be made. However, visitors are welcome to walk though several buildings on the site featuring exhibits on the construction of the lighthouse and life as a lighthouse keeper.
While exploring the outdoors is the best way to get to know the park, a visit to the Hunting Island Nature Center will help you understand what you’re seeing while exploring the park. Inside this fascinating place, you’ll see a variety of exhibits featuring live animals and information about the various habitats.
Hunting Island Marsh Boardwalk
The Hunting Island Marsh Boardwalk makes it easy for visitors to walk over the marshy tidal flats and observe the area’s wildlife and natural surroundings without disturbing anything. It’s also one of the best places to watch the sunset.
Hunting Island Fishing Pier
Whether you want to do some fishing or just watch for seabirds and dolphins, the Hunting Island Fishing Pier is a great place to take a break.
South Beach Boneyard
The combination of erosion and saltwater has created a unique scene on a beach on the southern portion of the island. This area known as the South Beach Boneyard looks much like a boneyard with the remnants of trees toppled over with their roots and dead branches strewn across the area.
Hunting Island Lagoon
If you want to do some paddleboarding, kayaking, or tubing during your time in Hunting Island State Park, Hunting Island Lagoon is a popular place to do these things and so much more. Fishing is also popular here and some people just come to relax, birdwatch, and enjoy the peacefulness of the area.
Since there are no restaurants in Hunting Island State Park, you’ll either have to leave the park and drive to nearby Beaufort to grab something to eat or you’ll need to pack a lunch.
When enjoying a full day in nature, packing a lunch is your best option. There are plenty of picnic facilities and nice places to sit and enjoy a homemade meal while taking in the sights around you.
One of the most popular activities in Hunting Island State Park is hiking and there are numerous trails in the park. Some trails are longer than others and some are more difficult, so there’s something for all ages and skill levels.
Diamondback Rattlesnake Trail: At 1.9 miles, this trail won’t take much time to do but it’s a bit difficult in spots. Only tackle this one if you’re fit and used to hiking on rugged trails.
Magnolia Forest Trail: If you’re looking for a more relaxing trail or you’re traveling with children, this trail is easy and at only 1.2 miles, it’ll only take a short time to do. From the campground, you’ll walk through a hilly area full of beautiful Magnolia trees.
Maritime Forest Trail: This is another short and easy trail at only 2 miles long. It travels through the interior of a maritime forest area where you’ll see a protected habitat that’s home to deer, owls, raccoons and other animals.
Lagoon Trail: Winding around the lagoon, this 1.4-mile trail is suitable for all levels. Along the trail, you’ll enjoy amazing views of the lagoon and observe different habitats.
Nature Center Scenic Trail: At only 0.7 miles long, the Nature Center Scenic Trail combines two attractions in one. You’ll get to visit the Nature Center and you’ll get an easy hike in. If you do decide that you’d like to keep hiking, this trail hooks up to some of the park’s other popular trails including two that are situated on Little Hunting Island.
Enjoy a sunrise, walk along the beach and look for sharks’ teeth and other shells that have washed ashore
Visit the nature center at Hunting Island State Park and see the alligators
Visit the Marsh Boardwalk, the best place in the Lowcountry to watch the sunset
Take a ferry from Hunting Island for a naturalist-led tour of St. Phillips Island where you can explore trails, enjoy the beach, and see wildlife of this pristine barrier island
Things to do near Hunting Island State Park
If you plan to stick around the area for a while, there are many things to do outside of Hunting Island State Park too.
Most of the area’s attractions can be found in and around the city of Beaufort. A popular thing to do to get familiar with this city is to take a walk around the historic streets and admire the grand mansions that line them. The downtown district is full of beautiful old buildings and this is where you’ll also find many of the area’s restaurants and shops.
The Beaufort History Museum is a must-stop for visitors who want to learn more about the city’s history, culture, and people and its surrounding area. The John Mark Verdier House is a historic mansion offering guided tours of the house and grounds. The Beaufort National Cemetery has connections to the American Civil War.
Location: South Carolina Lowcountry in Beaufort County
Directions: From I-95 take US-21 east toward through Beaufort to the park
Date acquired: 1938 from Beaufort County
Designation: Hunting Island State Park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a New Deal Program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The program was designed to provide employment during the Great Depression while addressing national needs in conservation and recreation. A number of buildings built by the CCC in the 1930s are still in use at this park.
Park entrance fee: $8/adult; $5/SC seniors; $4/ child age 6-15; free for children 5 and younger
Pets: Pets are not allowed in the cabins or the cabin areas. Pets are allowed in most other outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet.
Significant Natural Features: Hunting Island is always changing. Migrating creatures in air and sea come and go with the seasons and the natural forces of erosion constantly re-shape the island. In addition to some 3,000 acres of salt marsh and more than four miles of beach, a large lagoon created by sand dredging in 1968 has become a natural wonderland and home to such unexpected species as seahorses and barracuda. The park’s upland areas contain one of the state’s best examples of semi-tropical maritime forest, ancient sand dunes now dominated by such vegetation as slash pines, cabbage palmetto (the state tree), and live oak.
Animals: Loggerhead turtles nest on the island in the summer months. Deer, alligators, raccoons, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes
Birding: Numerous species of birds include painted buntings, tanagers, orioles, pelicans, oystercatchers, skimmers, terns, herons, egrets, and wood storks. Hunting Island’s beaches are important for shorebirds and seabirds which use the beach to feed, nest, and rest along their migration route.
January: Air 59 degrees F; Ocean 52 degrees F February: Air 61 degrees F; Ocean 54 degrees F March: Air 67 degrees F; Ocean 59 degrees F April: Air 76 degrees F; Ocean 67 degrees F May: Air 82 degrees F; Ocean 75 degrees F June: Air 86 degrees F; Ocean 82 degrees F July: Air 89 degrees F; Ocean 84 degrees F August: Air 89 degrees F; Ocean 84 degrees F September: Air 84 degrees F; Ocean 80 degrees F October: Air 77 degrees F; Ocean 73 degrees F November: Air 69 degrees F; Ocean 63 degrees F December: Air 61 degrees F; Ocean 54 degrees F
Hunting Island is South Carolina’s single most popular state park attracting more than a million human visitors a year
Spend a day on Hunting Island and you’ll quickly understand why this secluded Lowcountry sea island is South Carolina’s most popular state park. More than a million visitors a year are lured to the 5,000-acre park once a hunting preserve for 19th and early 20th century planters.
Also attracted to the semi-tropical barrier island is an array of wildlife ranging from loggerhead sea turtles to painted buntings, barracudas to sea horses, alligators, pelicans, dolphins and deer, raccoons, Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes and even the rare coral snake.
Part of the pristine ACE Basin estuarine reserve, the park features thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest, 5 miles of beach, a saltwater lagoon, and an ocean inlet. Add to that the only publicly accessible lighthouse in the state.
For outdoor enthusiasts, it’s an oceanfront playground where you can enjoy fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and camping.
One of the most popular activities is hiking and there are numerous trails in the park. Some trails are longer than others and some are more difficult so there’s something for all ages and skill levels.
At 1.9 miles, Diamondback Rattlesnake Trail won’t take much time to do but it’s a bit difficult in spots. Only tackle this one if you’re fit and used to hiking on rugged trails. If you’re looking for a more relaxing trail or you’re traveling with children, Magnolia Forest Trail is easy and at only 1.2 miles, it’ll only take a short time to do. From the campground, you’ll walk through a hilly area full of beautiful Magnolia trees. Maritime Forest Trail is another short and easy trail at only 2 miles long. It travels through the interior of a maritime forest area where you’ll see a protected habitat that’s home to deer, owls, raccoons, and other animals.
In winter, Hunting Island State Park offers a quiet coastal retreat to de-stress and re-energize. There’s nothing like a long walk along a deserted beach or wooded nature trail to clear the clutter from your psyche.
If you’re into history, you’ll love the lighthouse that once warned sailors to keep away from the island’s shallow shoreline. Originally built in 1859, Confederate forces destroyed the structure to ensure the Union would not be able to use it against them.
A new lighthouse was built in 1875 using interchangeable cast-iron sections so it could be dismantled and moved should the ocean ever encroach upon it. Severe erosion forced the lighthouse to be relocated 1.3 miles inland in 1889.
Decommissioned in 1933, it still retains a functional light in its tower. It’s a 167- step climb to the 130-foot observation deck where you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding maritime forest. Due to safety concerns, it is currently closed to tours until repairs can be made. However, visitors are welcome to walk though several buildings on the site featuring exhibits on the construction of the lighthouse and life as a lighthouse keeper.
The park also features a fishing pier that extends 950 feet into Fripp Inlet. Or drop your line in Johnson Creek or the surf. If you’re traveling with a boat, you can launch from a ramp at the south end of the park. It provides access to Harbor River and Fripp Inlet.
In the Nature Center, visitors will find live animals and exhibits about the habitats and natural history of the park. Educational programs are offered throughout the year including walks with a naturalist, beach explorations, and turtle talks.
Be sure to walk out on the Marsh Boardwalk and bring your camera and binoculars. It takes you across the marsh to a hammock and a deck that overlooks a tidal creek, a prime bird watching perch.
Want to stay more than a day on Hunting Island? No problem. The park features 186 campsites and one fully-furnished cabin.
You can visit Hunting Island State Park any time of year but ultimately it will depend on what you plan on doing there that will determine the best time for you to go. If swimming, kayaking, or sailing are on your mind, the end of spring to the first weeks of fall is the best time to visit with the summer months being the warmest but also the most crowded.
If hiking and fishing are on your mind spring and fall when the temperatures are cooler is the best time to visit. The best thing about spring and fall is this tends to be the time of year when there are fewer people so you get the trails and top fishing spots almost all to yourself. If you visit during the winter months it’s even likely you’ll have the park to yourself.
Hunting Island State Park is situated along the southeastern coast of South Carolina about 15 miles from the small town of Beaufort. Its location between Harbor Island and Fripp Island is telling of the type of area you’ll be exploring; one with several beautiful barrier islands to explore including Hunting Island.
You’ll be awe-inspired before you even get through the entrance to the park. You will pass through a sub-tropical maritime forest and embark on a scenic, but short, drive through stunning low-country landscape. This winding road with lush greenery will take you to the entrance of Hunting Island State Park where you’ll continue your adventure in one of South Carolina’s most popular state parks.
Hunting Island State Park is open from 6 am to 6 pm every day (park hours are extended to 9 pm during Daylight Saving Time). The best time of day to visit will depend on what you want to see and do. If you want to observe wildlife, the best time to go is early in the morning or into the evening hours but other than that, any time is a good time to visit. Just be sure to set out early if you plan to do a longer hike.
The office and visitor center are open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 11 am to 5 pm on weekends. The fee to enter the park is $8.00 per adult. There are discounted prices for South Carolina seniors and youths and children under the age of five years old can enter for free.
