I visited Lynches River County Park for the Run for Brighter Days 5K in September 2024. That 5K is…read moreheld in memory of a local teenager who died of suicide and to raise awareness of mental health issues, services, and the 988 phone number. Although I lived in Florence for nine years, this was my first visit to the park. I wish I hadn't waited so long. The 5K route onsite is wonderful- super flat, scenic, and all road. I wish more 5K runs and walks were held here, because it's very safe (several areas for water stations, lots of parking, easy in/out for EMS if needed, etc). For a park out in the country, the cell signal was surprisingly good. I talked to a fellow runner who lives nearby and said he frequently visits for practice runs. At the end of the 5K, we all received medals that are lanyards with a keychain on them advertising the 988 mental health hotline, and we were welcome to enjoy the park for a few hours. Lynches River County Park has a recreational building with air conditioning, kitchen, plenty of tables and chairs, indoor restrooms, and lots of space. It was a great place for the awards ceremony and the recognizing the youth we have lost to mental health struggles. I was surprised at how nice the facility was, as I was expecting picnic shelters and porta potties at the 5K. If you can participate in Run for Brighter Days (also a walk), I highly encourage it, but also get out to the park just for fun. It is also rentable for family reunions or corporate events and would be a great spot for that.

The website oversells the canopy walk. It makes it sound like the canopy walk is a larger than it…read moreis. "The EDC and attached canopy walk is designed to bring visitors to the treetops of the 676 acre park," reads their website. In reality it's a walk of 4-6 trees linked together with bridges over a small area directly behind the Educational Discovery Center. We drove a couple of hours thinking this was going to be a fun, unique experience. Not the case at all. Underwhelming. If we just wanted to walk trails through the woods we could have stayed closer to home and had en even better trail experience. I gave it three stars because I'm sure it is a nice area if you're camping, but I would not recommend this place if you're wanting to experience a walk through the treetops.

Great park about 1 hour from Fort Mill. Worth the drive if you want a chill place to launch your…read moreboat/jet skies or a place to camp out and fish for the day. Onsite boat/snack shop and they have a floating fuel pump on the dock.

Being in nature is so exhilarating. Definitely going back. The staff and the grounds were great.read more

This unexpected park is the highlight of Kershaw. There is a recreation center (currently closed…read moredue to the pandemic, July 2020), a swimming pool (also closed), tennis courts and the most amazing playground. Plus a number of walking trails and a rad looking skate park. Yes, this playground is huge. All fenced in to keep little ones from wandering off. Multiple structures to play and to let the imagination roam. As well, climbing frames, swings and slides. All of it on a soft mulch base. Some good shade, too. Lots of parking here. [Review 13657 overall, 976 of 2020, number 613 in South Carolina.]

The playground here is small, but one of the best. My grandsons love it, and we bring them here…read moreoften. It is safe, not in a congested area, and is well-taken care of, which is a real plus.

This is a nice lake but very small. Beautiful scenery. People camp on the banks. This is a nice…read morespot for a Pontoon boat or very small speed boat. Lots of fishing as well.

It's not a business but It has breathtaking views. It has several public accesses and a beach with…read moreseveral pavilions for family outings.

Swan Lake in Sumter, SC is a true gem! Ever since I started working on Shaw AFB, I have been coming…read morehere for my afternoon walks if the weather is nice. It's a peaceful stroll around the lake, especially in the Fall or Spring months where it becomes very scenic without the temperatures being too hot or cold. A lot of care goes into maintaining the grounds. I always see the park rangers roaming the area in their golf carts keeping everything to their high standards. Of course, the stars of the show are the swans! It's not every day you get to see different species of swans in one place. Beyond the scenery of the gardens and the swans, I appreciated the peaceful atmosphere. It's a great place to escape the hustle of daily life and simply enjoy nature; a great place to quickly decompress from work stress. The walking paths are well-maintained and easy to navigate, making it accessible fairly easily. And if you're a Pokemon Go player like me, this place is a goldmine! Tons of Pokemon to catch, routes, and raids to do - it makes my lunchtime walks even more fun.

What a beautiful oasis in Sumpter! While traveling through the area I wanted to find a place to…read morestop for a bit and take a break from driving. This place came up in my search and so glad it did. The garden is very well maintained and extremely relaxing. Large pond with a number of different species of swans and geese. Great walking trails with lots of shade too. Well worth a visit. Wish I lived closer.

Lessons to last for a lifetime come from Pearl Fryar. The garden is amazing but the man is a…read morerevelation.

Such a fun stop! It's like Alice in Wonderland! Wow the intricacies and work involved in maintain…read morethis beautiful home garden is incredible. Yes, this is a small neighborhood home with large lots on either side covered in shrubs that have been crafted into topiaries. Talk about a unique photo opp! We stopped here on the way home from Myrtle Beach. It feels weird to park in front of their home and walks the grounds but the family is happy to share their little piece of paradise with the world. There's a little bathroom on the back corner is the property which was such a kind thought from the family that chose to do this. Leave a donation if you have some cash. There's small details of joy hidden around, like quirky statues, fountains, and flowers. Go have some silly fun!

It was an amazing hike and walk with great paths. The paths were marked a little hard with a…read morestroller in some spot then found the other part of the parks.

Sesquicentennial state park is beautiful! They have 4 trails, including one trail (Sandhills trail)…read morethat loops around the lake, which makes for some great photos during sunrise or sunset. They have a little visitor center when you can buy a bunch of souvenirs, snacks, and can get a stamp in your SC state parks passport. If this review was solely on the trails and beauty, it would be a 5/5 but unfortunately the campsite brings it down a bit. The campsite is on the larger side, and has 3 bathhouses to accommodate the area (close to you). You are given the basics like a picnic table & fire ring. Sites 1-29 have 20/30/50 amps, and 36-84 have 20/30 amp electric hookups. Sites 1-9 are full service (also have sewer). These sites do not give you a lot of privacy, and it seems like they built as many sites as they could in a confined area instead of spreading the sites out a bit to give the camper a bit more privacy. The bathhouses are clean, but are very dated and are in desperate need of a renovation. If you are not a camper, you will be charged an entrance fee of $6 if you are an adult, $3.75 for seniors (65+), or $3.50 for children (6-15). Overall, a 5/5 for the beauty of the park and amenities outside of the campsite, but 2/5 for the campsite itself.

So beautiful.the main building has maps and help if you are not sure what trail to walk.this place…read moreis huge and has picnic areas to rest. Very beautiful

Despite the listing of this place and the "US Fish and Wildlife" at this address as "closed", this…read moreis anything but closed. Am I glad I ignored the message and took the time to stop by, drive through, and walk around. Expecting to find a park with a slant on conservation of flora and fauna, some endangered, I was surprised to find that and a lot more. South Carolina is home to one of nations Wildlife refuges, and at 45,000 acres, it has something for everyone. There's a road through the Refuge for those wanting an overview, with the road starting on one end from Hwy 1 and going a few miles through wooded areas, and past some ponds and lakes. Within the Refuge are a few hiking/walking trails ranging from a little less than a mile to a little over three miles. For ornithologists, it's a must-stop spot. As you enter the refuge, near the office, there are brochures available describing all the things to see or do during a visit. It's open for self-guided touring if that's your preference. Surprisingly, at certain times of the year, the Refuge is open to hunting, and in a smaller area, open for fishing as well. Every month highlights different wildlife Every so often, they do controlled burns that mimic those in nature with the goal of creating conditions that help certain animals and vegetation. Even the ponds and fields are managed to prevent thing that hinder new growth or prevent wildlife from flourishing. It's an amazing sight to see, and best of all, it's free.

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