Blackwater rivers, cypress swamps, state forests, and quiet lake country across the SC Midlands and NC Piedmont.
Walk a mile of old-growth cypress over black water — owls and snakes.
Lazy-float a blackwater river through Spanish moss canyons.
Old-growth floodplain forest on a 2.6-mile elevated loop.
Pontoon rental, swim coves, and the purple martin bridge at dusk.
Ancient eroded mountains with easy ridge hikes and gold panning.
Paddle through ancient cypress on a dark-water river with zero development.
Hike through the only place the Lowcountry and Sandhills ecosystems meet.
World-class bass and crappie fishing from a johnboat rental.
Paddle the old-growth floodplain when the river is in its sweet spot.
Boat to a deserted island for a swim-and-grill day.
Feed giraffes, splash in the water park, and walk the botanical garden.
A short trail to a rare natural limestone monolith in the sandhills.
Pontoon to a 200ft waterfall that drops straight into the lake.
See 50+ bald eagles and the rocky shoals spider lilies in May.
A longer weekend with a cabin at the edge of the Atlantic.