SC Trail Towns

Putting Palmetto State communities on the map. 📍

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09/01/2026

🌿 Who says getting outside has to mean hitting a five-mile trail?

In Mount Pleasant, a visit to Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens is an easy way to spend a day outside while experiencing some of the Lowcountry’s most recognizable scenery and history.

🌳 Take a walk beneath the iconic Avenue of Oaks
🌹 Wander through the gardens and antique roses
🐦 Keep an eye out for birds and wildlife along the nature walks
🚜 Hop on the open-air Farm and Nature Tour
📖 Explore the site’s history and learn about the people who lived and worked here, including the stories and culture of the enslaved community

It’s a good reminder that outdoor recreation looks different for everyone. Sometimes it’s a mountain trail, and sometimes it’s a slow walk beneath centuries-old live oaks. 🌳

08/25/2026

Celebrating 110 Years of America’s National Parks! 🥾🌲

Happy Birthday to the National Park Service! 🎉

On August 25, 1916, the National Park Service was created to help protect America’s natural and cultural treasures for generations to come. Today, the National Park System includes more than 400 special places across the country — including one incredible national park right here in South Carolina. 🌿

📍Congaree National Park

Congaree protects the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Fed by the Congaree and Wateree Rivers, this dynamic floodplain is home to remarkable biodiversity and towering national and state champion trees.

There are plenty of ways to experience it for yourself. 🥾 Wander the 2.6-mile Boardwalk Trail beneath bald cypress, tupelo, loblolly pine and other towering trees, venture farther into the Congaree Wilderness, or take your adventure to the water and paddle Cedar Creek. 🛶

As we celebrate the National Park Service’s 110th birthday, we’re especially grateful to have a place this wild right here in the Palmetto State. 💚

Here’s to protecting the trails, waterways, wildlife, history, and landscapes that make South Carolina worth exploring.

Have you explored Congaree National Park yet? 👇

08/24/2026

Wild, Weird & Carnivorous: Discover the Carolinas’ Unique Carnivorous Flora 🪰🌿

Plants that eat insects? You can find them right here in South Carolina!

At the South Carolina Botanical Garden's Natural Heritage Garden in Clemson, visitors can pass carnivorous plants while exploring landscapes that represent the incredible diversity of South Carolina.

Among the stars of the collection are Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, and sundews. More than 25 species of carnivorous plants are native to the Carolinas — and the Carolinas are the only place in the world where Venus flytraps grow naturally. 🌱

So, why do these plants eat bugs? Carnivorous plants are adapted to soils that are low in nutrients. Capturing insects gives them a supplemental source of the nutrients they need to thrive. 🪰

The Natural Heritage Garden is more than a plant collection — it’s an outdoor classroom where you can journey through representations of South Carolina’s natural landscapes, from longleaf pine savannas and Sandhills to Piedmont habitats and the cool ravines of the Jocassee Gorges.

📍 South Carolina Botanical Garden | Clemson, SC

08/21/2026

Add Chau Ram to Your South Carolina Bucket List 📍🌿

Waterfalls, river rapids, a suspension bridge, and miles of trails — Chau Ram County Park has all the makings of an unforgettable Upstate adventure.

Located just minutes from the Trail Town of Westminster, Chau Ram sits where Ramsey Creek meets the Chauga River. Explore more than three miles of hiking trails, take in the park’s 40-foot waterfall, and make your way across the 160-foot suspension bridge spanning the Chauga River. 🌲

Want to make a weekend of it? The park also offers camping, fishing, tubing, and plenty of spots to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

It’s easy to see why Chau Ram is known as one of Oconee County’s “best kept secrets.” ✨

📍 Chau Ram County Park | Westminster, SC

Save this one for your next adventure — and tag who you’re bringing with you! 👇

08/18/2026

One of South Carolina's Best Adventures Requires Almost No Effort. 😎

If you're like us you are always looking for places that make getting outside feel approachable—especially if you're just getting started or simply want an adventure that's a little more laid back.

That's why we love Edisto River Adventures 🌞

Tubing the Edisto is about as beginner-friendly as it gets. No long hikes, no special skills—just hop in a tube, let the gentle current carry you downstream, and enjoy a peaceful float with your favorite snacks surrounded by the beauty of one of the longest free-flowing blackwater rivers in North America. It's an easy way to unplug, cool off, and experience a side of South Carolina you may have never explored before.

Whether you're introducing your kids to the outdoors, planning a weekend with friends, or just looking for a break from the summer heat, this is one adventure almost anyone can enjoy.

Sometimes exploring your own backyard is as simple as going with the flow!

📸: Edisto River Adventures | Ridgeville, SC

08/14/2026

Play Tourist in Your Own State! 🌊⛰️

When was the last time you explored a place in South Carolina that truly surprised you?

If you've never been to Lake Jocassee, let this be your sign. Tucked away in the Upstate, this mountain lake is known for its unbelievably clear water, hidden waterfalls, and the rugged beauty of the Jocassee Gorges—one of the most ecologically diverse places in the Southeast. National Geographic even recognized the area as one of the world's "Last Great Places."

One of our favorite ways to experience it is with Jocassee Lake Tours and Shuttle Service. Their naturalist guides don't just drive the boat—they share the stories of the landscape, from rare plants and wildlife to Cherokee history, mountain geology, and the rivers that flow off the Blue Ridge Escarpment into the lake. It's the kind of experience that makes you appreciate a place in a whole new way.

The best part? You don't have to be an experienced hiker or paddler to enjoy it. Just hop aboard, bring the family, and spend a few hours exploring waterfalls that can only be reached by boat. If you're visiting during the summer, you'll even have the chance to cool off with a swim beneath one of the falls.

Sometimes the best adventures aren't across the country—they're right here at home.

📍 Lake Jocassee | Salem, SC
🚤 Jocassee Lake Tours

08/11/2026

Your Next Adventure Doesn't Have to Be a Big One. ☀️

For some people, the perfect day outdoors is a long hike. For others, it's simply getting outside, taking a walk, enjoying a good meal, and exploring somewhere new. We believe there's no "right" way to experience the outdoors—we just want to encourage people to get outside in whatever way feels right for them.

That's why Unity Park in Greenville is one of our favorite spots! ⬇

Spend an afternoon wandering the paved walking paths, listening to the Reedy River, and taking in the public art and green spaces at your own pace. If you're feeling adventurous, hop on a section of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail before looping back through the park.

When it's time for a break, head over to The Commons for lunch, coffee, or a sweet treat. It's an easy way to support local businesses while making a day of your visit.

Getting outside doesn't always mean checking off miles or reaching a summit. Sometimes it's as simple as slowing down, trying a new place, and spending time with the people you enjoy most. And honestly, those are often the days we remember the most.

📍 Unity Park | Greenville, SC

08/05/2026

An Evening of Live Music Under the Oaks. 🌳🎶

Don't miss the last Reggae Nights concert of the season at James Island County Park!

There's nothing quite like live reggae, warm summer air, and an evening spent outside with friends and family. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, grab a bite from one of the local food vendors, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere as Mystic Vibrations takes the stage for the final Reggae Nights concert of the summer.

Whether you're dancing up front or relaxing on the lawn, it's the perfect way to soak up the last days of summer.

📍 James Island County Park
📅 Friday, August 7
⏰ Gates open at 7:30 p.m. | Music starts at 8 p.m.

📸: Charleston County Parks

08/04/2026

Help Shape the Future of Trails in the P*e Dee! 🚶🚴

As South Carolina's second designated Trail Town, Sumter knows firsthand how trails can strengthen communities, support local businesses, encourage healthy lifestyles, and connect people with the outdoors. Now, there's an exciting opportunity to expand those connections even further!

The proposed Fox & Spur Connector is a 32.3-mile regional rail-trail that would transform a former railroad corridor into a multi-use greenway connecting Sumter, Mayesville, Lynchburg, Timmonsville, and Florence. The trail has the potential to create new outdoor recreation opportunities while celebrating the region's natural beauty, history, and small-town charm.

The project team is seeking community input, and we encourage everyone who lives, works, or spends time in the area to attend one of the upcoming Public Open House Meetings:

📍 Tuesday, August 5 | 4:00–6:00 PM
Timmonsville Community Center
150 W. Main Street, Timmonsville, SC

📍 Tuesday, August 5 | 6:00–8:00 PM
The Trailhead at Naturally Outdoors
2519 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC

📍 Wednesday, August 6 | 4:00–6:00 PM
Mayesville Senior Center
10 Pringle Street, Mayesville, SC

📍 Wednesday, August 6 | 6:00–8:00 PM
James E. Clyburn Intermodal Transportation Center
129 S. Harvin Street, Sumter, SC

Can't make a meeting? Your voice still matters! The public survey is open through August 30, and your feedback will help shape the future of this exciting regional trail project.

📝 Take the survey:
survey123.arcgis.com/share/3199c6f4cc2a482cbe8e714ea184aae2

🔗 Learn more about the project:
clients.bolton-menk.com/fox-spurconnector/

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with friends, family, and neighbors who live in Florence, Lee, and Sumter counties!

📸: Bolton & Menk

07/15/2026

Tucked away in the heart of Lake City, Moore Farms Botanical Garden is one of South Carolina’s best-kept secrets. 🌿🌸

This incredible hidden gem blends world-class horticulture with the charm of a small South Carolina town. Wander through beautifully curated gardens, discover unique native and exotic plants, admire stunning sculptures and water features, and explore peaceful walking paths designed to inspire and connect people with nature!

📍Moore Farms Botanical Garden, 100 New Zion Rd, Lake City, SC

🌼 Visit their website and follow Moore Farms Botanical Garden to learn about seasonal tours, special events, educational programs, and how you can experience this remarkable place for yourself!

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