About: The Sumter National Forest consists of 370,442 acres which are divided into 3 distinct sections in western and central South Carolina. The Enoree Ranger District is the largest, mostly in the Midlands region and comprising roughly 170,000 acres in Chester, Fairfield, Laurens, Newberry, and Union counties. The Long Cane Ranger District borders the Midlands and Upstate regions and comprises about 120,000 acres in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick, and Saluda counties. The Andrew Pickens Ranger District is in the Upstate region and comprises over 85,000 acres which lies entirely in Oconee county and is part of the Appalachian Mountains.
About: This 276 acre park, full of large pines and old-growth hardwoods, contains hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Rocky Branch Creek flows through the park. A 4.2-mile gravel road circles through the woodlands, offering access to 7.5 miles of hiking and biking trails.
About: Spanning Clarendon and Sumter counties in the Midlands, Manchester State Forest has more than 28,000 acres of mixed pine and hardwoods and offers some of the finest outdoor recreation anywhere in the state. There are three easy-to-moderate loop trails for hiking. The other activities available at Manchester State Forest include using the rifle/pistol range, riding horses, ATVs, motorcycles and bicycles. Permits are not required for hikers using the trails. Permits are required for all other activities.
About: In the high hills of Santee, where the sandhills of the Midlands region meet the coastal plain region, is Poinsett State Park. The park has hiking and biking trails. There is a ten-acre lake and the park also offers campsites, a fishing pond, a coquina bathhouse built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, pre-revolutionary grist mill ruins, and rustic cabins.
About: Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States.
About: Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve encompasses 201 acres along the Congaree River in Calhoun County directly across the river from Congaree Swamp National Park. Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve protects bluffs on the south side of the Congaree River that rise about 90 feet above the river and its flood plain. There are trails into an interesting moist ravine forest and also down into the flood plain forest. An overlook deck has a great view of most of Congaree National Park.
About: Lake Murray is located on the Saluda River in the Midlands of South Carolina in Lexington, Richland, Newberry, and Saluda counties. It has a max width of 41 miles and length of 14 miles. It is approximately 50,000 acres in size, and has roughly 650 miles of shoreline. It has an irregular shape, with several coves branching off it. Several small islands are located in the lake, such as the Jim Spence Islands, Shull Island, and Bomb Island, also known as Lunch Island, which is one of the largest nesting sites for Purple Martins in the nation. Dreher Island State Park is made up of three islands that extend into Lake Murray. The park offers camping, cabins, day use, and access to the lake for water activities.
About: This 12-mile river park connects the cities of Columbia, West Columbia, and Cayce as well as Richland and Lexington Counties and provides public access to the Congaree, Saluda and Broad Rivers. Granby Park has wonderful views of the river from deeply shaded paths. Granby Park offers adventure-seekers and nature-lovers accessible river-related recreation and provides significant green infrastructure that enhances private housing options in the downtown area.
About: Finlay has two playground areas, a man-made lake, waterfalls, a fountain, playing fields, a pergola with swings, and a snack bar that is open in the summer. This is one of the largest handicapped accessible parks in the country. The paved paths are also ideal for strollers. Finlay Park is an oasis in the heart of downtown Columbia. It has been the venue of choice for a number of events from festivals and political rallies to road races and Easter sunrise services. Park reconstruction is scheduled to be completed by Fall 2025.