Nature Trails & Parks
Great Pee Dee Heritage Preserve
Off N. Charleston Rd., Darlington,
Phone: 803.419.9374
dnr.state.sc.us. This 2725-acre preserve includes seven miles of river frontage and provides habitat for four state threatened plant species. It is the home of the Johannes Kolb Archaeological site, which has yielded early 18th century artifacts from local settlements.
Open daylight hours, year’round.
Admission: Free
Lake Paul Wallace
Bennettsville
Phone: 843.479.3312
This man-made lake offers areas for swimming, fishing, sailing and boating. It is also a waterfowl refuge. A lighted walking trail across the dam and picnic sites on “Jack’s Island” round out a great recreational area.
Open daylight hours, year’round.
Admission: Free
Lynches River County Park
1110 Ben Gause Rd., Coward
Phone: 843.389.2785
Situated on the river of the same name, this 668-acre,popular day-use park features a river swamp with towering cypress trees as well as sandhills offering a wide variety of vegetation. Activities include river fishing, canoeing, nature trails and picnicking. The park also offers an Olympic size swimming pool and a 11,000-square foot community building.
Open daily, 9 am–sunset.
Admission: Free. Fee for pool use and special concerts.
Little Pee Dee State Park
1298 State Park Rd., Dillon
Phone: 843.774.8872
The backwaters of the Little Pee Dee River provide a tranquil setting. This 835-acre park includes a campground, nature trail and picnic area. It also features 54-acre Lake Norton for fishing. Boats, canoes and kayaks may be rented. In addition, the park includes a scenic river swamp and a tract of Heritage Trust Site, with a Carolina Bay.
Open daily, 9 am–12 midnight.
Admission: $2; SC Seniors $1.50; 15 & younger free. For Park reservations, SouthCarolinaParks.com or 1-866-345-7275
Lee State Natural Area
487 Loop Rd., (Exit 123 off I-20) Bishopville
Phone: 803.428.5307
Enjoy 2,800 acres of pristine wetlands with camping year’round. The area includes serene woods, auto trail, river, fishing and picnic areas. Horses welcome: stables, miles of trails, equestrian campground.
Open daily.
Admission: Free. Fee for camping.
Merchants Mill Mallards
2517 Bethune Hwy., Bishopville
Phone: 803.428.6479
Come see thousands of mallard ducks in the wild! This facility also raises ducks for pond owners and preserves.
Segars-McKinnon Heritage Preserve
1624 W. Carolina Ave., Hartsville
Phone: 803.419.9374
Accessible from Kalmia Gardens of Coker College, this 800-acre preserve is home to rare plants and unusual natural communities.
Open daylight hours, year’round.
Williamson Park
Spring St., Darlington
Phone: 843.395.2310
A three-mile boardwalk, five miles of nature trails, countless birds and a statewide variety of plants and trees make this a most rewarding hiking, nature study and picnic spot.
Open daylight hours, year’round.
Woods Bay State Natural Area
11020 Woods Bay Rd. (Exit 141 off I-95, US 301) Olanta
Phone: 843.659.4445
An elliptical depression, this park is one of a series of natural phenomena known as Carolina Bays which occur in the coastal plains of the Carolinas. The 1,541-acre park offers a variety of natural habitats for many species of wildlife and has a boardwalk extending into the bay; also canoe rentals, nature trails/programs and a picnic area.
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