On a peninsula south of the downtown core of Georgetown, East Bay Park has some great views of the…read moreSampit River and the Winyah Bay. The park includes tennis courts that are also lined for Pickleball, a nine-hold disc golf course, playground, picnic shelter, and baseball/softball fields. The East Bay Boat Landing looks to be well maintained and there is also a dog park and a building with restrooms. I took the time to have a nice walk on the walking trail that includes some exercise/fitness stations. It's a lovely park and I had a nice visit. [Review 19414 overall - 988 in South Carolina - 384 of 2023.]

Adjacent to East Bay Park but operated separately, this park has a small dedicated parking area…read more There are a number of short boardwalks and trails that lead through the woods that bring you to the tip of the peninsula for some great views of the waterways. It's even possible to walk along the shoreline at low tide. Unfortunately, I was wearing sneakers today and while I could get most of the way through the park, I was not able to complete the journey. There are some swampy trails and large puddles that I was simply not able to bypass. A bummer because it looks great on the satellite view. These are trails. Never hike alone. Always bring a friend. And of course, have the right footwear. [Review 19415 overall - 989 in South Carolina - 385 of 2023.]

Two double-launch ramps here and with this massive parking lot, it's clear that they get a lot of…read moreuse! The Carol Ashmore Marine Complex is next to Winyah Bay that opens into the Atlantic with only one high-pass bridge to go under. Easy for even tall sailboats. The park has picnic tables and a public restroom. There are also power outlets scattered about so it was pretty awesome to be able to park next to the restroom and charge up the onboard battery for an hour or two. Five stars for a great facility. [Review 19426 overall - round number 1000 in South Carolina - 396 of 2023.]

A very small park that stands between Front Street and the Harborwalk. Complete with a paved…read morewalkway and a pair of cannon. It is well maintained but not much else here - I didn't even see benches. [Review 19422 overall - 996 in South Carolina - 392 of 2023.]

Another small park that you can use to enter the harbor walk in historic Georgetown. This one is…read moresmaller without any benches or seating. But it has 2 old cannons on display! They were formerly mounted in front of the US Naval Reserve building on Front Street, and part of the Confederate Defense system. Now they are great for kids and picture taking.

This beach getaway can be the best if you prefer less crowded beach, no commercialism, a laid back…read morebeach vibe. Rentals here are more reasonable especially after Aug 10 for the juicy deals. It is a 4 mile stretch of beach w limited public access along main road. At the south end is a larger public access w 2 port John's, this access is close to the point good for fishing or seashell picking. It is a short ride to main Hwy that leads to Garden City or Myrtle Beach 30-45 mins depending on traffic if need more action. There are no sidewalks on road but most people are good about giving pedestrians room. There is a pier but only accessible if resident of the Pawley pier Village condos. Local police, two inns one w restaurant, some full time residents. Nice family location.

I was just passing through today and had the chance to explore some of the beach and a few of the…read moresights. As it's between Charleston and Myrtle Beach (closer to the latter), it is a summer resort and catches quite a lot of vacation traffic. In the off season, it's quite but there is still plenty of beach relaxing to be done. There is no overnight street parking. And please keep off the dunes. They are a protected space! [Review 19465 overall - 1038 in South Carolina - 435 of 2023.]

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]

The site is still in the process of improvement, but even just walking the grounds is a memorable…read moreexperience. A history trail has been added with some visually and intellectually stimulating exhibits. The mansion is rarely if ever open but offers some interesting views. And a walk through the abandoned rice fields yields both wildlife sightings and hints of the place's past. There is a charge to get in, but they waived it for me as I stopped in just at the end of the day to take a quick walk. There are a variety of more developed areas that give private plantation tours, but this outdoor setting is an entirely worthy state park.

This small park is the welcome area to the actual island - the town of Pawleys Island apparently…read moreexists on the other side of the causeway - and has been maintained or restored to look like the original land. Palm trees and an open grass spot that is very likely where a festival or market might be held. It looks nice and there is parallel street parking nearby. [Review 19408 overall - 982 in South Carolina - 378 of 2023.]

My family had an amazing time on the 2 hour kayak tour. It was so fun seeing the swamp up close. We…read morerented two tandem kayaks with our kids and it worked out great. Highly recommend.

First of all, this fantastic young man, Matt, was our guide. He was patient, knowledgeable,…read morethoughtful and kind! Black River Outdoors hopefully knows the gem they have in him. Second, 9am kayak trip was breathtaking! We saw so much wildlife and learned about many fish, mollusks, birds. Finally, great value! I would 100% recommend a kayak tour!!

Nearby is a marker showing President Monroe's visit in 1819 but this marker commemorates President…read moreWashington's visit in 1791. The marker is off the road by the entrance and there is room to stop and park. It is on the southbound side. The marker reads, "President George Washington on his southern tour traveled southward over this road, April 27-30, 1791. While in this vicinity the day and night of April 29, he was the guest of Captain William Alston on this plantation, Clifton, which was originally a part of the Hobcaw Barony." This is marker number 22-5 and it was erected in 1981 by the Georgetown County Historical Society. [Review 19413 overall - 987 in South Carolina - 383 of 2023.]