Forty Acre Rock Loop

This 2,267 acre preserve is known for its hiking, birding, and a 14-acre granite flatrock with a variety of wildflowers to observe. This moderate hike will take you past the flatrock, as well as a small waterfall and pond. Start from the upper parking, where you'll follow Conservancy Rd for a short stretch. The hike begins through the forest, then follows along Flat Creek to Beaver Pond. After...

By all appearances, Sand Hills State Forest is well-maintained and seldom-used. This particular adventure refers to the Sugarloaf Mountain Recreation Area, but there's more of the forest to explore.  Sugarloaf mountain is a geographical oddity that provides a pleasant view of the scrub-pine forests of Central South Carolina. Don't mistake this for a nature trail (there's a nice one just down t...

Put in your personal canoe or kayak near the spillway and paddle across Adams Mill Pond. Once you reach Pine Tree Creek, follow the white trail signs and wind through a forest of bald cypress trees for 1.5 miles. At the point where two logs are downed across the creek, turn around and return following the State Park signs along the trail.Free admissionKayaks and Canoes are available for rentDay...

A very nice hike down to the river behind the Hart Plantation home. Explore this very historic home from the Civil War along with the Jacob Kelley House a mile away. The trail goes down a well maintained walkway seeing many different flora and fauna along the trail. As the river winds around the walkway and trail you will go through swamp and river seeing many different birds and fish. Thi...

Cheraw State Park kind of seems like an unexceptional place. It's got your typical small-park facilities: car camping, golf course, boat launch, tiny public beach. But row a boat (canoes and kayaks are available to rent) about 2 miles southwest of the visitors center and you'll find yourself paddling through mysterious black water under a crowded forest of towering cypress trees. Not exactly an...

Just a little under 2 miles away from downtown Asheville, NC, you'll find the beautiful Botanical Gardens. If you're looking for the perfect place to walk around, explore, and go at your own pace...look no further.  The entire wooded property is roughly 10 acres, but you can wander along the short, easy to follow, half-mile loop. Along the walk you'll catch glimpses of wooden gazebos, budding ...