The Whole State Is the Trail.
Mountains. Rivers. Marsh. Coast.
More than a place. It's a vibe.
Wheelchair Accessible
Family-Friendly
Beginner Trails
Waterfall Hikes
Kayak Routes
Explore by Region
Pick Your Expedition Zone
Grand Strand, Charleston & Sea Islands
The Coast
Tidal creeks wind through salt marshes where dolphins feed at sunrise. Barrier islands like Edisto and Hunting Island offer some of the most beautiful and least crowded beaches on the Atlantic seaboard. Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, Beaufort, and Hilton Head each have their own character.
- Murrells Inlet
- Edisto Island
- Hunting Island
Pee Dee, Francis Marion & ACE Basin
The Corridor
Blackwater creek country. Quiet, wild, and largely undiscovered. The ACE Basin is one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast. Francis Marion National Forest and the Great Pee Dee River flow through bottomland forests that feel unchanged in centuries.
- ACE Basin
- Francis Marion Forest
- Great Pee Dee River
Revolutionary War, Civil War & Historic Adventures
The History Trail
Fort Sumter sits in Charleston Harbor where the Civil War began. Cowpens and Kings Mountain were turning points in the American Revolution. These are not just history lessons. They are outdoor adventures through landscapes that still carry the weight of the stories that happened there.
- Fort Sumter
- Cowpens Battlefield
- Kings Mountain
Columbia, Congaree & Lake Country
The Midlands
Congaree National Park protects the largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the Southeast, with champion trees standing over 150 feet tall. Lake Murray, the Saluda River, and Santee Cooper offer wide-open water for paddling, fishing, and swimming.
- Congaree National Park
- Lake Murray
- Saluda River
Upstate SC & Blue Ridge Adventures
The Peaks
South Carolina's Blue Ridge foothills deliver waterfalls that plunge hundreds of feet, mountain summits with views to the horizon, and trails through old-growth forest along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway. Table Rock, Caesars Head, Jones Gap, and Jocassee Gorges live here.
- Table Rock
- Caesars Head
- Lake Jocassee
Find Your Adventure
Explore by Activity
Featured Adventures
Start Here
Accessibility First
Adventure Doesn't Check Your ID.
♿ Wheelchair Accessible
👶 Stroller-Friendly
🌿 Sensory-Friendly
🐕 Service Animal Friendly
🔧 Adaptive Equipment
🅿️ Parking Proximity
🌳 Shade Rating
🛤️ Surface Type
The Expedition Scale
Find Your Level
First Steps
Paved paths, boardwalks, scenic overlooks. Zero experience needed.
Easy Going
Short hikes, calm water, flat trails. Most fitness levels.
Moderate
Longer trails, uneven terrain. Requires some preparation.
Challenging
Mountain summits, multi-day trips. Requires gear and experience.
Expedition Grade
Thru-hikes, offshore paddling, technical terrain. The real deal.
Lists & Guides
The Expedition Shortlists
Free Backcountry Camping in South Carolina
Lake Camping in South Carolina, Lake by Lake
Every Major Lake in South Carolina, Ranked by What You Want
The Mountains-to-Coast Van Route
Showers on the Road in South Carolina
Overnight Parking in South Carolina: Walmarts, Cracker Barrels & Rest Areas
South Carolina, Season by Season
Every season has its own magic here. Here is what to chase, when to go, and where to find it.
Chase the Waterfall Season
Spring rains push every waterfall in the Upstate to full roar. Yellow Branch Falls, Lee Falls, and Table Rock’s cascades are at peak flow March through May.
Congaree Firefly Lottery
Late May into June, synchronous fireflies flash in unison in Congaree’s old-growth forest. One of the most magical natural events in the Southeast. Apply for the lottery early.
Spoleto Festival USA
17 days of world-class opera, theater, dance, and music in Charleston. Piccolo Spoleto runs alongside with free and low-cost events throughout the city.
Grand Strand Beach Season
60 miles of Atlantic coastline from Little River to Georgetown. Myrtle Beach, Surfside, Pawleys Island, and Litchfield, each with its own personality. Water temps hit the low 80s by July.
Lake Jocassee Paddling
Crystal-clear mountain lake with 75-foot visibility. Kayak to hidden waterfalls that drop directly into the water. The most beautiful lake in South Carolina, and one of the most beautiful in the country.
Beaufort Water Festival
Two weeks of boat races, fishing tournaments, and the famous raft race on the Beaufort River. One of the longest-running festivals in South Carolina.
Blue Ridge Foliage Peak
The Upstate’s Blue Ridge escarpment turns gold and crimson mid-October through early November. Caesar’s Head, Table Rock, and the Foothills Trail offer the best views in the state.
Lowcountry Oyster Season Opens
SC oyster season runs October through April. Rooftop oyster bars, waterfront roasts, and the world’s largest oyster festival at Boone Hall in January. Fall is when the first local oysters hit menus.
Atalaya Arts Festival
One of the premier juried art shows in the Southeast, held in and around the historic Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park. October.
Lowcountry Birding Season
Winter brings massive migrations of shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors to the Lowcountry. ACE Basin, Cape Romain, and Huntington Beach State Park are among the best birding spots on the East Coast.
Nights of a Thousand Candles
Brookgreen Gardens lit by thousands of candles and lights. One of the most beautiful holiday events in the state. December.
Hiking Without the Crowds
SC winters are mild enough for comfortable hiking almost every day. The Foothills Trail, Congaree boardwalk, and Edisto Nature Trail are at their most peaceful from December through February.