Realistically, a five star rating is more a reflection of the fact that I want the space to remain…read moreas it is rather than an endorsement of the amenities provided. The worst parts of South Carolina are the overdeveloped ones. This area, being quite undeveloped, has many interesting sights, but also dirt roads, limited parking, and while I visited in the winter I expect the conditions can get quite hostile with the peak season bugs. I took the I'on swamp trail. I could not figure out what the name meant through a cursory online search, nor did any of the signage there clarify it for me. The trail takes one through a wooded area that used to be rice paddies; the organization of the ponds is still evident, but it's fascinating watching natural forces take over the area. There are a number of other interesting stops for outdoorsy types, most notably part of the majestic Palmetto Trail, but the most important thing is that it's not a golf course. Then again, it would be hard to build anything under the conditions in these swamps, and exploring the areas certainly makes one think about their history.

Palmetto Trail is a really nice trail, admittedly! You can tell that park management makes sure…read morethat the foot path is kept up really nice and that its wilderness is proactively cared for by volunteers and park service personnel, and not left for dead like I've seen in some remote state forests. I was really happy to be camping in a forest where there were no bears (YAY!) so that I could relax a bit and focus on the hike without one hand constantly on a can of bear spray. My initial plan was to hike the whole of the trail after having applied for a permit to hike and camp there, and having the permit signed and approved by the park service before I ever even boarded my flight to SC. So the only people who knew that I was there hiking on those dates were the park administrators who approved the permit. :) Yet about 4 days into my hike, at mile marker 10, around 1 o'clock in the afternoon, two hillbillies walked onto the trail carrying guns. It was 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Hunters don't generally start their day to hunt game at 1 o'clock on a sunny afternoon, and since I wasn't born last Tuesday I knew something in the water wasn't clean. Those damn city people, always glass half empty! So I went off trail into a dense thicket to just sit and relax, perhaps even camp overnight until I felt safe enough to move forward on the path of the trail that I was on (since I was alone). Because hunters with guns and recreational hiking trails go together like pet pooches and chocolate treats. Well, that relaxation didn't last long. Long story short, after somehow hunting and finding me in the thicket where I had gone off of the trail, then tapping on trees and instruments and whatever else they could find to make menacing noises (to terrorize me), those same two hillbillies then began to shoot rounds at me, chasing me back onto the foot path, where I then had the opportunity to take a photo of their Silverado "Hail the Confederacy" truck parked on the forest service road at the mile marker. So Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb chased me RIGHT to where they were parked out in the open so that I could get documentation of who it was that was CHASING ME THROUGH THE WOODS AND SHOOTING AT ME IN BROAD DAYLIGHT! (those pesky city folks always thinking all quick! aw shucks! thought all northerners was on cocaine!) They seemed to have really thought all of it through, for sure. Oh but THERE'S MORE! They then came bursting out of the treeline with both of their guns drawn, looking like "Yippie Kay-Yay MF!" as they ran all their jiggly x 2 to that confederate truck, peeling off like the final episode of the Dukes of Hazzard. I immediately dialed 911 as soon as they were finished doing doughnuts on the dirt road (ok the doughnuts in the dirt part is an exaggeration for the theater of it, but they should have just gone ahead and finished off with this move) and I immediately filed a report with the local Sheriff, though I ultimately ended up having to file a Hate Crime complaint with the DOJ since this incident occurred in a federal park. Additionally, I made an amateur short film about the experience HERE. youtu.be/8DqzB-1NNYU Please enjoy at my expense :)

The moonlight paddle last week was awesome! They got all of us set up with equipment fairly quickly…read more(those who didn't bring their own) and then let us loose to paddle around the Intercoastal Waterway in the gorgeous blood moon moonlight. Afterward, they had a bonfire with hot dogs and s'mores to roast. Such a pretty and relaxing evening on the water!

So beautiful! We really enjoyed our time on the water. Jay, our guide, was very kind and…read moreknowledgeable. We saw lots of wildlife and it was very, very peaceful. Highly recommend doing a tour out this way- as there's much more to it than just kayaking!

Visiting from OHio... We were both SO IMPRESSED with the whole area…read more First,it was incredibly inexpensive: the park fee was nothing; the boat tour was too; everything was so clean! The boat tour was the highlight. Relaxing and informative not to mention scenic. So much to see. It is obviously off season but fun nonetheless . They whole park was so nice and everyone was unbelievable friendly. First impressions are literally everything!

Cypress Gardens is a nice park built around a swamp but that is about it…read more One person at the booth collecting the fees and one person running the boat rental, the rest is on your own. Butterfly display had only a few butterflies despite the heated environment in early February Swamparium had a good number of reptiles, not all local and after seeing this we had no desire to get a paddle boat to ride around the swamp in what must be 45 degree water full of algae A couple of alligators and a couple of beautiful peacocks in separate enclosures without any legends to describe their age or anything else due to their limited budget i would think

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.

I followed the Woodland trail and the Alligator trail when I came. The plan was to do the whole…read moreouter loop from the Woodland trail, but at the end of the Woodland trail we could not find the connection to the other trails like the map indicated. We still had a good time regardless, getting to see the swamp topography and wildlife. I did not try the museum on this visit, but entry is included with the $5/person entry fee to the park.

This mostly residential island offers a trail with boardwalk on the waterfront. It runs between…read moresome parks and offers a good set of views. It was well attended during my visit. There are wilder and more interesting places to go nearby, but if you just want a nice walk this is it.

Charleston is a great place for runners to live, because you can run year-round here and the area…read moreoffers a lot of local races and events. Everyone knows about the Cooper River Bridge, but the Daniel Island trails are one of Charleston running's best-kept secrets. The Daniel Island trails are not technical or muddy, but soft and packed. This is great if you're injury-prone or just want to give your legs a break from harder surfaces like the bridge, which can be rough on your knees/legs. Wooden boardwalk style bridges break up the trails, and if you're looking for a run or walk with a view, this is it. You won't find many roots or limbs, and there are water fountains. Every time I have been here in the evenings, I have seen others running, walking, biking, or walking dogs on the trail. I feel like it is a very safe place to run or walk, but as always, be aware of your surroundings. Another big advantage in the summer months: the trails are shaded and you get a breeze from the river.

I really like the Marsh Island Park & Tower on Kiawah Island. This is a cool place to get in the…read moremiddle of nature and experience a marsh environment and all of the trees, water, and wildlife that is around it. I like the path that goes through the trees, a dock, and leads to the waterway. The tower is easy to climb and offers a spectacular view at the top of the water and a nice view of the beauty of the Lowcountry and nature. It is well worth it to find and check out this park and tower as it is quiet and out of the way and represents the best of Kiawah and preservation of a nice park and marsh. I had a fun and enjoyable experience here.

I very much enjoyed this park. My walking group came on an early weekend morning. The scenic views…read morewere incredible, perfect spot for some cool nature pictures.

Favorite county park in the Charleston area. Never crowded even when buses are there because it is…read moreso big. Great play area with sand. Water access, fishing picnic tables by the water and lots of paths to walk.

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.

Angel Oak is a great little detour if you are nearby. That is exactly what we did!…read more It's located off a little dirt road with very little signage. There is parking available outside the fence or handicap parking is located within the perimeters. The Angel Oak is a massive tree and certainly impressive to see in person. It is a protected tree, so there are some roped off area and signs requesting you to be respectful of the grounds, roots, limbs, etc. There is a picnic area within view of the tree. As you are heading out, stop by the little gift shop!

This is an amazing tree, and if I were rating JUST the tree, I would have given it 6 starts out of…read more5! It is majestic, and beautiful, and standing near it one can just imagine all the history that has unfolded under its branches. The fact that it is FREE to visit makes it even better. Too bad there are two drawbacks to a visit to the Angel Oak. One is the parking, which is VERY limited. When you drive through the gates of the enclosure because you failed to note the small faded and partially obscured sign telling you that only handicapped parking was allowed inside the fence, you might be "greeted" as we were by a very unfriendly person who pointed to the gate and told us to follow the car that was on its way out. No explanation, No consideration that it was very close to closing, we had an elderly person with us, and the "regular" parking was about half a block away from the actual entrance, along the side of the road, with uneven terrain. Nevertheless, we persevered, slowly making our way back to the entrance. The tree itself is surrounded by signs warning of all the DON'Ts you must attend to, and there are quite a few. I understand it is fragile and they want to protect it, but there are ways to word directions so that they are welcoming, celebrating the wonder that is this tree, and encouraging appropriate behavior, not so off-putting and admonishing in tone. A very short visit to the gift shop was drawback #2. The sign directs it is a ONE WAY path as you enter through the back door (that is right, the front door sports a sign saying it is NOT an entrance... one must search for another way in. Once inside, the same person who refused our request to park oversaw the gift shop visitors stood with arms folded and a scowl as well made our way through. The items were mostly very overpriced and aged (for example, a cloth patch of the state symbol was priced at $16, much more than I usually pay for a patch, and not even one specific to this location). So, the visit, while not a complete failure, fell far short of our expectations. Angel Oak is a spectacular tree, and deserves to be surrounded by a site that celebrates its wonder.