Great Pee Dee Heritage Preserve
Off N. Charleston Rd.
Darlington, 803-419-9374
www.dnr.state.sc.us/wild/heritage/hp/gtpeedee/
default.htm. 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, 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
Lee State Natural Area
487 Loop Rd., (Exit 123 off I-20)
Bishopville
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. Free admission. Fee for camping.
Little Pee Dee State Park
1298 State Park Rd., Dillon, 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, www.SouthCarolinaParks.com or 1-866-345-7275
Lynches River County Park
1110 Ben Gause Rd., Coward, 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.
Merchants Mill Mallards
2517 Bethune Hwy., Bishopville, 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, 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, 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, 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.
Open Thurs.–Mon., 9 am–6 pm. Admission: $2;
SC Seniors $1.50; 15 and younger free.
