#HNY2018 Yahhh, I hiked Barnwell State Prk SC today with…read moresome like minded explorers!! We met promptly at 1pm and hiked the prk for 2 miles, the park ranger was very knowledgeable and led us on a wonderful trek. There are 3 ponds for boating or fishing, I wouldnt swim in lakes due to alligators and snakes... I would most def go back and use the facility for hiking, fishing, cabins, or camping. The park was clean and well kept, free entry but it is always kind to leave a donation! Oh almost forgort there is a natural spring fountain that you can drink from! Great way to start the N Year '18, this will be a Yrly trek for us!!

Quiet and beautiful escape. Cabins are appropriately appointed. Don't count on the tv service…read morethough. It's spotty. Good thing I didn't come here for the tv. It's a good place to decompress. I'll be back when it's warmer for sure.

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

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

This is a relatively constructed park built for camping. The centerpiece is a set of freshwater…read moresprings. A boardwalk surrounds them, and they are a nice sight. I expect it would be better if you could take a boat or something to get a closer look. Various other trails run through the forest, but predictably the amount of flying insects was high so I didn't spend a ton of time. There was a cost to park, which would be more worth it if one spent the day.

Beautiful and quiet place. A little too small for me but still an awesome place to stay.read more

Driving up to this park takes one through downtown Orangeburg, which was virtually abandoned when I…read morepassed through. The park was no less eerie. A parking lot overlooked the green space, which had a road running through the center of it before one gets to the water. A boardwalk yielded some decent riverside nature, but also a broken water wheel. The parking lot had a handful of people who were simply sitting in their cars for reasons I could not discern. I found the design of the park strange, as a memorial space was immediately facing the parking lot and did not seem like a peaceful place of remembrance. The rose gardens were well manicured, and it seemed like whatever money the city has they put into maintaining them, but signs warned to stay away due to pesticides. There were a number of facilities as far as bathrooms and gathering places, and perhaps the park is more lively at some times, but I would not go out of my way to visit the place on its own merits.

Went to visit the Garden sometime ago when the roses were still in bloom. Not far from I-95 the…read moreEdisto gardens are in Orangeburg with an impressive amount of rose plants, something like 4800 with over four hundred varieties. Best time to go the weekend before Mother's Day. We were there the day before

Well groomed gardens…read more Summer concerts in the park are great with good weather. The band was very good. They played some favorites and some of their own music. Every Monday at 6:30pm is a free concert. Check them out.

It was peaceful and beautiful. I loved the labyrinth and koi the most. I just visited Seattle,…read moreNovember, so I'm excited to see it again during the spring/summer.

Nice park could use more shade and grass needed cutting . Other than that the kids had funread more

We love this park lots of shade and lots of equipment for the kids to play on. There are plenty of…read moreswings

Always a good time at George L Smith Park. My grandson likes to fish there even if he doesn't catch.read more

Wow! When you step near the waters of this park and see the Cypress trees in near-black water, your…read moreimagination just may sweep you back in time to an earlier era in Earth's history, perhaps, the Pleistocene Era? These waters make you wonder whether some prehistoric creature will launch out of the waters at you if you get too close. Yet, you'll see kayakers padding all about these waters. Located in Twin City, Georgia, is a serene retreat spanning 1,634 acres with a 412-acre mill pond surrounded by cypress and tupelo trees draped in Spanish moss, creating a picturesque and tranquil environment. The park's centerpiece is the historic Parrish Mill, a combination gristmill, sawmill, covered bridge, and dam built in 1880. The mill, restored in 1998, occasionally operates and can grind up to 200 pounds of corn per hour, offering visitors a glimpse into its rich history. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of activities, including fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and hiking. The park offers 11 miles of trails for hikers, runners, and cyclists, as well as opportunities to spot wildlife like gopher tortoises, blue herons, and white ibis. For accommodations, the park provides lakeside camping, cozy cottages, picnic shelters, and a conference center.

Nice park in the middle of neighborhood. Picnic tables, playground for big and small kids. Small…read morepond to walk around with ducks. No bathrooms. Was a nice stop during road trip.

Driving to Hilton Head from Charlotte we needed a pit stop. This was out of the way and off the…read moremain highway but well worth the few extra minutes it took to get there. The park itself is really small, more of a neighborhood pocket park than a sprawling city green space. The playstructures were in great shape, there was a lovely pond with ducks and a small walking trail around the perimeter. Mature trees provide shade and there was even a lovely little gazebo for that extra dash of small-town, Americana charm. The kids played, we stretched our legs and everyone was ready for the road.

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

We made a quick pit stop after picking up my daughter from her camp…read more Poinsett state park has lake where kids and dogs can swim/ play with water. They also has campground site and cabin to rent for your stay. Quite nature place and not really busy even on the week end. Has playground and clean bathroom for the visitors. Although our visit was short but we enjoyed it.