Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge (Awendaw)
Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1932 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds. Cape Romain's 64, 000 acres encompass a 20-mile segment of the Atlantic coast and include barrier islands, salt marshes, coastal waterways, fresh and brackish water impoundments, and maritime forest. Of the land areas, 28, 000 acres are preserved within the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway (Greenville)
Following an ancient Cherokee path, this beautiful two-lane road leaves I-85 at Gaffney, makes a 130-mile arc through peach orchards and villages, past Cowpens Battlefield, past several state parks, and over Lake Keowee to meet I-85 again.
Congaree National Park (Hopkins)
Situated along the meandering Congaree River in central South Carolina, Congaree National Park is home to champion trees, primeval forest landscapes, and diverse plant and animal life. This 22, 200-acre park protects the largest contiguous tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the United States. Known for its giant hardwoods and towering pines, the park?
Fort Moultrie National Monument (Sullivan's Island)
Fort Moultrie's history covers 171 years of seacoast defense, including the first decisive victory in the American Revolution and the firing onto Fort Sumter during the first battle of the Civil War. The third Fort Moultrie, built in 1809, stands today. By touring the fort, visitors can see how coastal defenses have evolved.
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (Blacksburg)
The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVNHT) commemorates the campaign leading to the battle of Kings Mountain by following the Revolutionary War route of Patriot militia men from Virginia, today's eastern Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia to the battle site at Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina.
J. Strom Thurmond Lake (Clarks Hill)
This is the largest Corps of Engineers lake east of the Mississippi River. The lake encompasses 1, 200 miles of shoreline, 70, 000 acres of water and 80, 000 acres of land which provides for an abundance of recreational opportunities. The Corps operates ten Class A campgrounds, five major day use areas as well as many other camping, picnicking and recreational facilities. To make campground reservations on Thurmond Lake dial 1-877-444-6777 or on the web at www.ReserveUSA.com. J.
Francis Marion-Sumter National Forests (Columbia)
Located in South Carolina, the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests encompass about 612, 500 acres. The forest includes the southern Appalachian Mountains at 3, 300-feet elevation, the rolling terrain in the middle of the state, and the flat, sea-level plains near the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.Visitors to the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests find many recreational opportunities. Some enjoy developed sites such as campgrounds or picnic areas.
ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge (Hollywood)
The ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge helps protect the largest undeveloped estuary along the Atlantic Coast, with rich bottomland hardwoods and fresh and salt water marsh offering food and cover to a variety of wildlife. ACE Basin stands for the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Rivers, which form the estuary and parts of the Refuge boundary. The entire basin encompasses more than 350, 000 acres, of which the Refuge comprises just less than 12, 000 acres.
Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge (McBee)
Carolina Sandhills NWR was established in 1939 as a federal refuge for indigenous wildlife and game management demonstration project. The South Carolina State Commission of Forestry also conducted timber production and harvesting as long as these activities conformed to good game management and forestry practices. Over the years, management objectives have since been added and modified under other authorities.
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge (Pinckney Island)
Pinckney Island NWR, established December 4, 1975, was once included in the plantation of Major General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, a prominent lawyer active in South Carolina politics from 1801 to 1815. Few traces of the island's plantation in the 1800's exist today. From 1937 to 1975, when it was donated to the Fish and Wildlife Service, Pinckney Island was privately owned and managed as a game preserve.
Santee National Wildlife Refuge (Summerton)
Santee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1942 to alleviate the loss of natural waterfowl and wildlife habitat caused by the construction of hydro-electric projects on the Santee and Cooper Rivers. Stretching for eighteen miles along the northern shore of Lake Marion, the refuge protects 15, 095 acres in four different units (Bluff, Dingle Pond, Pine Island, and Cuddo) within the upper coastal plain region of Clarendon County, South Carolina.
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge (Hardeeville)
Savannah NWR, which lies on both the South Carolina and Georgia sides of the Savannah River just upriver from the city of Savannah, Georgia, was established April 6, 1927. The refuge 28, 168 acres include bottomland hardwoods and tidal freshwater marsh. A 3, 000 acre fringe area of upland hardwoods exists along the eastern boundary. An additional 3, 000 acres forming an impoundment system are managed for migratory wading birds and waterfowl.
Savannah River Scenic Highway (Columbia)
Winding along three major lakes, this road crosses four counties. Spring and fall colors are especially beautiful along this easy-travelling river route. Many recreation areas are along the way.
Ninety Six National Historic Site (Ninety Six)
The Ninety Six National Historic Site is an area of unique historical significance. The unusual name was given by early traders in the 1700's because they mistakenly believed it was the estimated number of miles to the Cherokee village of Keowee in the upper South Carolina foothills. By the mid-1700's, European colonists found it a favorable place to settle. During Ninety Six's early days, troubles with local Indians increased.
ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve (Charleston)
ACE Basin is one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast. It's named for the Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto rivers, which meander past cypress swamps, historic plantation homes, old rice fields and abundant tidal marshes to meet at South Carolina's biologically rich St. Helena Sound.The ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve protects the natural beauty, abundant wildlife and unique cultural heritage of the area.
North Inlet -Winyah Bay Reserve (Georgetown)
The reserve features the salt marshes and ocean dominated tidal creeks of the North Inlet Estuary plus the brackish waters and marshes of the adjacent Winyah Bay Estuary. North Inlet is a relatively pristine system in which water and habitat quality are much higher than those in Winyah Bay. As the estuary with the third largest watershed on the east coast, Winyah Bay has been greatly influenced by agriculture, industry and other human activities.
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site (Sullivans Island)
The historic site was established to interpret Charles Pinckney's plantation Snee Farm, his role in the development of the United States Constitution and the transition of the United States from a group of colonies to a young nation. Interpretive exhibits, located in a house built circa 1828 but which is not Pinckney related, highlight these areas as well as the influences of African-Americans in the development of Snee Farm.
Cowpens National Battlefield (Chesnee)
Cowpens National Battlefield commemorates a decisive battle that helped turn the tide of war in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. On this field on January 17, 1781, Daniel Morgan led his army of tough Continentals, militia, and cavalry to a brilliant victory over Banastre Tarleton's force of British regulars.
Fort Sumter National Monument (Sullivan's Island)
History provides us with defining moments from which we judge where we are with where we have been. The Civil War provides the United States with one of its critical defining moments that continues to play a vital role in defining ourselves as a Nation. Fort Sumter is the place where it began. America's most tragic conflict ignited at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, when a chain reaction of social, economic and political events exploded into civil war.
Kings Mountain National Military Park (Blacksburg)
Kings Mountain National Military Park commemorates a pivotal and significant victory by American Patriots over American Loyalists during the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War. The battle fought on October 7, 1780 destroyed the left wing of Cornwallis' army and effectively ended Loyalist ascendance in the Carolinas.
Tybee National Wildlife Refuge (Oyster Bed Island)
Tybee NWR was established on May 9, 1938, by an executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, as a breeding area for migratory birds and other wildlife. Located in the mouth of the Savannah River, the 100-acre refuge began as a one-acre oyster shoal, Oysterbed Island, used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) as a spoil disposal site to support their mandated harbor dredging activity. As a result, the majority of the refuge is now covered with sand deposits.
Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge (Awendaw)
Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge was established on December 1, 1997.