Hopkins, South Carolina

If you're looking for a longer hike in Congaree National Park than just the Boardwalk Loop, try adding another 2.0 miles to the Boardwalk Loop by hiking the Weston Lake Trail.   From the visitor's center, take the Boardwalk Trail and stay straight at the intersection with the Bluff Trail. The ele...

The Boardwalk Loop begins at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center where you can get a Self-guided Boardwalk Tour brochure. There aren't any water refilling stations along this trail, so be sure to fill up your water bottles before you descend down an elevated platform that leads into the forest. Alon...

Start your adventure at the parking lot for Congaree National Park and make your way to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. There you can find clean bathrooms, drinking fountains, a gift shop, and trail guides. When you're ready to begin your hike, begin on the boardwalk and follow the signs for th...

This river has several points throughout the park where you can launch your kayaks and canoes. The river is marked with mile markers along the way so you can count down to the next launch point. This river is actually so slow moving that you can kayak upstream or downstream. All along the river y...

This trail is a short 2.5 mile loop through what used to be the Guinard Clay Quarry in West Columbia, SC. The old pits from which clay used to be harvested have formed a bunch of ponds which attract wildlife. There are alligators in this area as well as deer, hogs, bobcats, snakes, turtles and bi...

Right in the center of the University of South Carolina's campus there is a gorgeous horseshoe. It is one of the most historic pieces of campus. While walking along the horseshoe, you can stumble across college students hurrying to class, people hanging in their hammocks, a photographer capturing...

The South Carolina State House was built in 1855 and it's architecture proves that. From the gorgeous stone columns to the copper roof, this structure is picture perfect. The state house is in the middle of 11 acres of gorgeous scenery. Benches, statues, large trees and all sorts of plant life sp...

This park is located alongside of the Columbia Water Treatment Facility. You are able to walk on the paved path that has mile markers every 1/4 of a mile. Or, you can hike along one of the nature trails placed throughout the park that run right alongside the river. Bikes are allowed anywhere alon...

This loop starts at the parking lot on the Firebreak Trail. About 1 mile in the trial hits a fire road and turns right but you will cross the road and continue on the Firebreak connector to Stewardship Trail. Take a left and continue onto the Stewardship Trail. You'll pass over two bridges, after...

This tucked away trail is well-hidden. I actually needed air in my tire and this was the closest gas station. As I was circling the parking lot to see if they had an air pump, I saw there was a sign that read "14 Creek Mile Trail". As I'm an adventure lover, I immediately parked my car and follow...

I started exploring this park when I was about 14 years old. My mom was a huge fan of the park and took us to it as kids. However, I did not realize that there was a path until I was roughly 20 years old. That path is beautiful. It is a paved loop that covers about 0.4 miles. There are smaller pa...

Lake Murray is a beautiful lake to dip your feet into. The boat park allows access to everyone with any boat. There is a concrete, standard boat ramp that allows larger boats to be put in the water. There is also a small, wooden boat ramp used just for kayaks, canoes and paddle boards. During the...

From Columbia SC, take I-26 South towards Orangeburg. Stay on this road for 31.5 miles and then take exit 136 to merge onto SC-6 E towards St. Matthews. Continue 28.3 miles along this road until you enter the small town of Elloree. Here you will turn left onto E Cleveland Street/ State Rd S-38-10...

Camping at Lake Dreher is lovely year round! If you want to swim then I suggest April-September. The summer is hot! I suggest camping in a hammock if you go in the heat. The island is easy to get to and about 45 min from downtown Columbia. Make reservations early for campsites as they go months i...

Come to the low country of South Carolina to live slow, enjoy some rich culture and history, quench your thirst for a great paddling adventure, and view incredible wildlife in the process.  From Columbia SC, take I-26 South towards Orangeburg. Stay on this road for 31.5 miles and then take exit 1...

Put in your personal canoe or kayak near the spillway and paddle across Adams Mill Pond. Once you reach Pine Tree Creek, follow the white trail signs and wind through a forest of bald cypress trees for 1.5 miles. At the point where two logs are downed across the creek, turn around and return foll...