If it feels like you’re already into the month of May but your year of adventure has yet to begin, then just know you’re not alone. We’re all waiting patiently and plotting both long and short trips to places we may, truthfully, have taken for granted before the pandemic hit. But things happen and our perspective changes, right? As your ever-growing bucket list evolves, be sure to add to it at least some of the following natural wonders in South Carolina – and prepare to enjoy them to the fullest.
- Lake Jocassee - Salem
TripAdvisor/Explorecreate Known for its pristine, crystal clear water, Lake Jocassee is among the last great places on Earth. Although the lake itself isn’t “natural,” this man-made reservoir offers a mountain lake setting like no other found in South Carolina. Devils Fork State Park in Salem has the best public access to the lake and a great big beach for swimming. Read more about Lake Jocassee in this previous article.
- The Angel Oak - Charleston
TripAdvisor/charlestonchick Charleston’s Angel Oak tree is considered to be between 400 and 1,500 years old. She’s survived storm after storm, and yet still thrives. Keep reading to get the full scoop on the Angel Oak tree, including park open/close hours.
- Rainbow Falls - Marietta
alltrails/Stephen Shields Deep in the woods of Jones Gap State Park is a colossal 100-foot waterfall that spills in free-fall form over a rock ledge before it cascades further down stream. Hiking here can be a challenge for the inexperienced hiker, but for those who are up to the journey a truly mesmerizing view awaits. Learn more about this 4.3-mile hike and see images of the trail and the waterfall in this previous article about Rainbow Falls.
- Cypress Gardens - Moncks Corner
TripAdvisor/imlin3 Spending a day exploring the beauty of a bona fide swamp may not be at the top of your list, but you’ll be so glad you did. Shuttered for years after hurricane damage, Cypress Gardnes took their time recovering and reopened to the public just last year. Learn all about the guided and self-guided boat tours, walking paths, and their huge butterfly house in this previous article.
- Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve - Kershaw
Trover/Ryan Watts If there’s one place in South Carolina that simply must be seen to be believed, it’s Forty Acre Rock, found within the Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve. Learn all about what makes this rock so extraordinary by reading more details in this previous article.
- Congaree National Park - Hopkins
Google Maps/Doug Jefferson As the only national park in South Carolina, Congaree N.P. is a must-visit. Whether you see the park on foot on one of the many trails or by boat, you’ll be among some of the oldest living trees in the world. Learn all about visiting Congaree National Park in this full article.
- Table Rock - Pickens
Google maps/Gina Bagwell Whether you explore Table Rock from the base and enjoy all that Table Rock State Park has to offer (trails, two lakes, fishing, swimming, paddle boats), or you’re drawn to the nearly four-hour hike to the summit, you’ll be glad you spent time appreciating this natural wonder up close. Learn more about Table Rock in this previous feature.
- Pretty Place Chapel - Cleveland
Google Local/Gary Heaton Also known as Fred W. Symmes Chapel, Pretty Place was built in 1941 on the edge of a mountain cliff. The open-air chapel is part of Camp YMCA Greenville, where seasonal camps of kids get to enjoy services within the chapel. Fortunately, the chapel is also open to the public — but only during very specific hours. Learn more about this inspirational spot in nature from this previous article about Pretty Place Chapel.
- South Carolina’s Coast
TripAdvisor/Rhonda H With more than 180 miles of coastline, South Carolina’s coast offers many beaches, each with a unique vibe and subset of activities. But if it’s fossils you seek, then you’ll want to plan a visit to Folly Beach, the fossil capital of the state. Learn more about the loads of fossils at Folly Beach in this article.
Prepare for a world of adventure as you explore some of South Carolina’s most beautiful natural settings and best features this year!
TripAdvisor/Explorecreate
Known for its pristine, crystal clear water, Lake Jocassee is among the last great places on Earth. Although the lake itself isn’t “natural,” this man-made reservoir offers a mountain lake setting like no other found in South Carolina. Devils Fork State Park in Salem has the best public access to the lake and a great big beach for swimming. Read more about Lake Jocassee in this previous article.
TripAdvisor/charlestonchick
Charleston’s Angel Oak tree is considered to be between 400 and 1,500 years old. She’s survived storm after storm, and yet still thrives. Keep reading to get the full scoop on the Angel Oak tree, including park open/close hours.
alltrails/Stephen Shields
Deep in the woods of Jones Gap State Park is a colossal 100-foot waterfall that spills in free-fall form over a rock ledge before it cascades further down stream. Hiking here can be a challenge for the inexperienced hiker, but for those who are up to the journey a truly mesmerizing view awaits. Learn more about this 4.3-mile hike and see images of the trail and the waterfall in this previous article about Rainbow Falls.
TripAdvisor/imlin3
Spending a day exploring the beauty of a bona fide swamp may not be at the top of your list, but you’ll be so glad you did. Shuttered for years after hurricane damage, Cypress Gardnes took their time recovering and reopened to the public just last year. Learn all about the guided and self-guided boat tours, walking paths, and their huge butterfly house in this previous article.
Trover/Ryan Watts
If there’s one place in South Carolina that simply must be seen to be believed, it’s Forty Acre Rock, found within the Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve. Learn all about what makes this rock so extraordinary by reading more details in this previous article.
Google Maps/Doug Jefferson
As the only national park in South Carolina, Congaree N.P. is a must-visit. Whether you see the park on foot on one of the many trails or by boat, you’ll be among some of the oldest living trees in the world. Learn all about visiting Congaree National Park in this full article.
Google maps/Gina Bagwell
Whether you explore Table Rock from the base and enjoy all that Table Rock State Park has to offer (trails, two lakes, fishing, swimming, paddle boats), or you’re drawn to the nearly four-hour hike to the summit, you’ll be glad you spent time appreciating this natural wonder up close. Learn more about Table Rock in this previous feature.
Google Local/Gary Heaton
Also known as Fred W. Symmes Chapel, Pretty Place was built in 1941 on the edge of a mountain cliff. The open-air chapel is part of Camp YMCA Greenville, where seasonal camps of kids get to enjoy services within the chapel. Fortunately, the chapel is also open to the public — but only during very specific hours. Learn more about this inspirational spot in nature from this previous article about Pretty Place Chapel.
TripAdvisor/Rhonda H
With more than 180 miles of coastline, South Carolina’s coast offers many beaches, each with a unique vibe and subset of activities. But if it’s fossils you seek, then you’ll want to plan a visit to Folly Beach, the fossil capital of the state. Learn more about the loads of fossils at Folly Beach in this article.
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Address: Devils Fork State Park, 161 Holcombe Cir, Salem, SC 29676, USAAddress: Angel Oak Tree, 3688 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455, USAAddress: Jones Gap State Park, 303 Jones Gap Rd, Marietta, SC 29661, USAAddress: Cypress Gardens Road, Cypress Gardens Rd, South Carolina 29461, USAAddress: 40 Acre Rock Heritage Preserve, 2207 Conservancy Rd, Kershaw, SC 29067, USAAddress: Congaree National Park, South Carolina 29061, USAAddress: Table Rock State Park Rd, Pickens, SC 29671, USAAddress: Fred W. Symmes Chapel aka “Pretty Place”, 100 YMCA Camp Rd, Cleveland, SC 29635, USAAddress: Folly Beach, SC, USA
