This nice little camp site boasts a quiet marsh view and both RV and tent camping. There's a small…read morebathroom and shower that are better than nothing and a boat ramp just a short ways from the camp site. The primitive sites are first come first serve, but there is a large overflow field just before the campground. It is also the start of the Awendaw passage of the Palmetto Trail which is really pretty once you get farther into it and there are quite a few marsh views. Overnight parking is cheap in the overflow area if you wanted to park and hike into the trail for some dispersed camping. It's probably the most tame camping spot in the national forest.

Revisited Buck Hall this past week and the wash rooms/showers were clean. Camp sites were clean and…read morelevel. The fishing dock has a large hole in the wood plank and needs fixing. Campers were friendly & we enjoyed their company. A nice surprise that was long over due.

Just over the Cooper River Bridge from Charleston is the Town of Mt. Pleasant. It's not merely a…read more"suburb" of Charleston- Mt. Pleasant is a thriving community. The roads here are excellent, with synced traffic lights and an access/frontage road that helps with traffic along Hwy 17. Mt. Pleasant has a dedicated Farmer's Market space and holds markets every Tuesday. If you're looking for something to do on Friday nights, there are often concerts and "Party in the Park" events. Happy Hour on Shem Creek or at one of the many restaurants is a great way to spend time, especially at restaurants on the water. Besides that you're super close to two beautiful beaches- Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island. Charleston's only one bridge away, and if you're into the more rural and rustic scene, you're not TOO far from the Francis Marion Forest. Growing up somewhat close to the area, I've seen Mt. Pleasant thrive in the last 20-25 years. I remember when Towne Center was built in the late 1990s and people wondered who would ever drive that far north to go to the mall. I also remember the "old" Wando high school. A lot has changed over the years, but MTP is a booming place to be!

I moved to MP just over a year ago. We looked all over the Charleston area and settled on MP based…read moreon drive time to work and proximity of shopping we were used to. I truly enjoy the fact that I don't have to spend 45 minutes to an hour driving to work. Parks throughout Charleston and MP leave allot to be desired and considering the amount of taxes we pay doesn't make sense. Street lighting is another failure by the city. The Waste Management department in MP is subpar. What I enjoy about MP is the shopping. MP has the shops I was used to in my previous city and has allot of upscale grocery stores spread throughout the city. The food scene has definitely improved since just year and will be even better in the coming years

The State of SC established the Santee National Wildlife Refuge in 1941 to compensate for the…read morehabitat destruction caused by the creation and flooding of the Santee Cooper Lakes. The refuge includes over 15,000 acres (4,448 owned by the US Fish and Wildlife Service) and the rest in coordination with the South Carolina Public Service Authority. Visitors can enjoy 39 miles of shoreline along Lake Marion, SC's largest lake. Birders can enjoy migratory ducks and geese in winter, in addition to song birds, raptors, marsh birds, and wetlands wildlife in multiple migratory bird sanctuaries. The refuge includes four units with diverse which offer wildlife observation, education, interpretation, photography, hunting and fishing opportunities. There is a Visitors Center and 7.5-mile wildlife drive (Caddo unit), a canoe trail, observation towers, miles of hiking/biking trails, elevated boardwalks, towers and some of the best bird watching in America. The Santee Christmas Bird Count is touted as one of the best, if not the best, inland CBC east of the Mississippi and north of Florida. You can't miss visiting the thousand year old Indian Mound, built by the matrilineal Santee tribe. During the Revolutionary War, it became Fort Watson, a British battlement overtaken by General Francis Marion-- the "Swamp Fox." This story also introduced the word "mayhem" into the English language. The fighting here proved Marion's tactical skill and makes this one of the most pivotal victories of the American struggle for independence.

There are many units of the NWR, so be sure if you are using GPS, you choose the one you want. That…read morebeing said, a GPS accident took us to the Cuddo unit, which ended up being fantastic!! You have a scenic drive through the unit that really gives you a feel for the nature in the area. Complete with an alligator alley that probably sees a fair share when it's warm and sunny, there are many things to do! Hiking trails, picturesque overlooks, and all from your vehicle! The main unit (Bluff I think but not sure!) has Fort Watson, which was a British fort, or the remains of it anyway, and an ancient Indian Burial Mound, with a platform and stairs with an amazing lake view from the top. There's also birding opportunities and a visitor center with more lake overlooks and selfie opportunities if you are into that sort of thing. It's not a terribly long drive from town, either, so if you're like me and just need "nature breaks" once a month to get out of the grind, the Santee Cooper area has plenty to offer!

We knew we would only have time for one plantation experience on this trip two years ago and only a…read moremorning or afternoon to tour. If you are looking for something totally different yet satisfying and educational, you'll definitely enjoy Hampton Plantation State Historic Site in McClellanville, S.C., on the Wambaw Creek in the Santee Delta. The Colonial-era rice plantation mansion on 274 acres with its remnant buildings, two cemeteries, trails, three endangered species and park buildings holds a quiet change of pace from other Charleston area attractions. "Tours include a study of the architecture and evolution of the house, as seen in the open walls and unfurnished rooms, as well as personal insight into the people that called Hampton home." Built in the 1740's, two wings were added in 1760 and the first Adams style portico in the Lowcountry was added in 1791. The structures at the once 700 acre prosperous and bustling Hampton Plantation are architectural monuments to the labor of enslaved Africans. Here at Hampton, "The plantation's Georgian-style mansion and well-kept grounds serve as an interpretive site for the system of slavery that helped build such plantations in South Carolina into the greatest generators of wealth in early American history." "The property also tells the story of the freed people who made their homes in the Santee Delta region for generations after emancipation. Visitors can explore the mansion, wander the plantation grounds or look out upon Wambaw Creek at the remains of rice fields that once stretched as far as the eye could see." During the Revolutionary War, the British captured Charleston. They said that any man bearing arms against them would be treated as a traitor and so they searched houses and plantations, confiscating any valuables, including slaves, not even knowing for certain who were traitors it seems. Hampton was searched twice and plundered of everything. Just think of those soldiers, over 200 years ago, pounding up and down those still solid wooden stairs, hauling off whatever they wanted, including people already sold once, that they were going to sell again, on down the road. After the war, George Washington visited Hampton in 1791. The President was asked whether a certain oak tree should be cut down to create a better view from the newly built portico. He replied that he liked the tree, and it was saved. From then on the tree was known as the Washington Oak. It still stands almost 230 years later! This visit here at a historic place cared for by the Park Service was quite a find and a bargain. Stop here, if you get the chance. The park website below has an incredible virtual tour if you don't get the opportunity to visit this unusual historic plantation in person. Grounds are free. House admission: $7.50/adult; $3.75/S.C. Senior; $3.50/youth age 6-15; Free for children 5 & younger. Ground Hours: Apr. - Oct. 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., daily. Nov. - Mar. 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.  Mansion Hours: Guided tours only, F, M and Tu noon and 2 p.m. Sa-Su 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. https://south-carolina-plantations.com/charleston/hampton.html https://southcarolinaparks.com/hampton

This historical marker along US-17 is in front of the Hampton Plantation Historic site and provides…read morea brief overview of the history. This is old Charleston, dating back to Colonial times, and even in condensed form the place carries more weight than the marker can hold. It notes the Horry and Rutledge families and the plantation's early eighteenth century origins, but it leaves out the deeper story of the rice economy built through the labor and agricultural knowledge of enslaved Africans whose work shaped every field along the Santee. The front of the marker reads, "Hampton Plantation, 2 mi. N.W., was established by 1730 and was one of the earliest rice plantations on the Santee River, in an area settled by Huguenots and often called "French Santee." The house, built in the 1730's for Elias Horry, later passed to his granddaughter Harriott Horry, who married Frederick Rutledge in 1797. The plantation remained in the Rutledge family until 1971." And the reverse, "One of Hampton's best-known owners was Archibald Rutledge (1883-1973), educator, man of letters, and first poet laureate of S.C. He wrote of life there in Home by the River (1941), calling it "the mother plantation of this old plantation country." Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970, it has been Hampton Plantation State Park since the state acquired it in 1971." The limited space on the marker omits much. Including the near‑loss of the house in the twentieth century and Archibald Rutledge's role in reviving interest, as well as the long‑loved Washington Oak that tradition links to George Washington's 1791 visit. Today the unfurnished house and quiet grounds at Hampton Plantation State Park offer a clearer sense of the layered past than the roadside text suggests, inviting visitors to step beyond the marker and into a landscape where memory, myth, and history still mingle. It is marker number 1040 and it was erected in 2001 by the St. James-Santee Parish Historical Society. [Review 107 of 2026 - 1377 in South Carolina - 25297 overall]

We are current residents at Newbrook and wanted to share our experience. Once our year-long lease…read moreexpires, we will not be renewing. I would strongly recommend considering other apartments off Clements Ferry Road. During our tenancy, we've dealt with multiple issues that have not been resolved: Water intrusion from the unit above that led to a persistent mildew/odor in the bathroom Ongoing roach activity that began after the water issue. Pest control is included in rent, but you have to request service. After multiple attempts with no results, the "solution" was simply being handed a can of Raid Primary shower floor damage present since move-in, covered with a tape-like patch over a cracked shower floor, which limited use of the bathroom Noise disturbances that were raised but not addressed. The tenants above us were frequently fighting at all hours, resulting in multiple police calls, and management did not take action Despite raising these concerns through emails, phone calls, and in-person conversations, there was no meaningful follow-through and the underlying problems were never fixed. For example, the water issue was considered "resolved" based on moisture readings, but the odor and condition remained. The pest issue also persisted despite repeated attempts to address it. While the property may appear attractive due to its newer construction, our experience was extremely poor. We dealt with persistent mildew odor, ongoing roach activity despite being very clean, and repeated noise disturbances that affected our ability to sleep. Based on our experience, we would not rent here again or recommend this property to anyone.

i have loved living at newbrook other than a few bad apples in the community, overall the staff is…read moreamazing and addresses any concerns immediately. Jacki and Nathan are the best community managers I've ever had, and their patience is astounding for what I've seen them have to deal with from people who were never told no apparently in their life. the maintenance guys are fantastic and show up asap for the usual wear and tear of things that happen living in apartments communities. so if you like nature and are aware that it exists and can live peacefully among other people who are kind and realize they're not the only person living here, and you want to meet some of the most genuine and kind property staff youve encountered, you'll love newbrook.

We had an absolute blast and did a kayak tour - unless you're a practiced kayaker and know your way…read morearound, I would highly suggest it. Worth the extra cost! Graham and Jacob were so patient and knowledgeable. We even got to see dolphins!! If you're thinking you want to go, do it. You won't regret it.

We had such a beautiful day on the water today!! We did a special trip focusing on fossils on the…read moreisland. My first hunt ... found creature bones, shark teeth, turtle shells... all very very old. It was delightful on such a gorgeous day!! The two guides, Jackie and paleontologist Mike were wonderful guides.

This park in a quiet rural area outside of Charleston claims to have been the first canal in the…read morecountry. As with most of the area's older infrastructure, it is largely returned to nature and it mostly a swamp. This one has an extensive boardwalk, which is very much enmeshed in the wilderness. It has metal mesh placed on inclined because it gets wet and slippery. Numerous overlooks of the wetlands are available, and you can walk on a trail by the nearby river as well, which has some fitness installations asking you to hang on a bar and such. There is an educational center near the start, which didn't have a huge amount going on when I was there. It's a nice piece of terrain, and I would have left and written a lesser review, but there is also a museum which I had thought about leaving without trying. Inside, I got something of a personalized rundown, and the museum was about as much information as you could stuff into one house-sized building, covering not only war history but also a lot of very interesting public health stuff. As such, I got a workout of my legs and my memory. Many fairly standard caveats apply; you'll need to be ready for bugs if doing anything outdoors in South Carolina. The state parks here are generally quite nice, but they also charge admission by person, not by car, which can get expensive. For anyone living in the area, a park pass is worth considering. For me, it was well worth the five bucks.

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

It was beautiful I can't believe the nature and you can also take a boat out!! I would suggest…read moregoing here but wear comfortable shoes and clothes. It's a nature walk with many beautiful views.

We went to Cypress Gardens this morning and spent several lovely hours there. Overall, it's an…read moreinteresting place with a little bit of everything--walking paths and gardens, a butterfly house, the Swamparium, and, of course, the swamp boats. The gift shop is super small, despite looking much bigger from the outside. The Swamparium was interesting, with fish, snakes, and other reptiles from local waterways and wetlands around the world. I wouldn't want to be close to them, but I also felt bad they were behind glass. We saw several alligators. We wanted to explore some of the longer nature trails, but they were pretty overgrown and ran right alongside the swamp. We were a little nervous that we wouldn't spot an alligator with enough warning, so we stuck to the more maintained paths. We spent about an hour to an hour and a half walking around. The highlight was definitely the self-guided boat ride. My husband did most of the paddling, it took some effort! It was so much fun paddling among the cypress trees, seeing the water lilies, watching the ducks, and keeping our eyes open for alligators in the water. The guy running the boat area was really friendly and helpful. A couple of practical things to know: admission is $10, and if you want to do the boats, sign up as soon as you arrive. We got there around 9:30, about 30 minutes after opening, and were initially told the wait would be about an hour. It ended up being a little over two hours before we got on a boat. You connect to the park Wi-Fi, scan a QR code, and get your place in line. Overall, I don't know that Cypress Gardens would make my top list of things to do when friends come into town, but if you're a bird lover or nature lover, it's a good spot to experience the Lowcountry. And the boat ride alone made the visit worthwhile for us.

This is a beautiful nature preserve with several miles of trails through gorgeous woods and a…read morecypress swamp. We've found so many different birds here, including prothonotary warblers, northern parulas, hairy woodpeckers, and more. There is a boardwalk over a pond where wood storks nest - it's off limits a few months a year. It's a peaceful and quiet place to hike. I wish there were bathrooms though.

Beautiful fall weather in Charleston, so decided to get some sunshine and fresh air while being one…read morewith nature at Dungannon Heritage nature preserve. The preserve is located off of SC highway #162 near Hollywood. Entrance to the preserve is free. This is a dog friendly park, so feel free to bring your fur babies! This is a beautiful park spanning 643- acres. There are several scenic trails that wander along the property. Bring your camera as there is a lot to see. The preserve has been set up to provide feeding and roosting areas for a variety of birds, Wood storks, Great Egrets and Blue Herons. You may also see alligators, deer and squirrels along the way. The trails are well maintained and clearly marked. There is not a restroom or picnic tables at this park. However, there is a gorgeous 300- foot boardwalk with an observation deck overlooking the swamp/pond. I had a picnic lunch here as I watched an alligator sun bathe and fish jump. It was so peaceful. If you are looking for a few hours to get back to nature and see beautiful views and some wildlife, you need to add Dungannon to your "Must See" list.

I stopped by the park to have lunch at the Pavilion during a work day in John's island. The…read morePavillion is next to a pond that has a nice native plant buffer around it and a lot of wildlife to watch.

Not nearly as nice as James Island park but it serves a different audience/reason. This park is…read moremore a collection of sports fields and whatnot. Was free to park though and had public restroom.