Enjoy Nature

Annual Events ·  General ·  Hiking & Backpacking ·  Hunting & Horseback Riding
Lakes & Rivers ·  Parks & Gardens ·  Wildlife Viewing

When you think of Berkeley, you think of water. Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, the Cooper and Santee Rivers, known for their world class fishing, is also home to kayaking, canoeing, skiing and has the only under water historical trail in the state. So whether you're fishing for crappie or bream in the cool shadows of ancient cypress trees, or out on the lake hauling in a large mouth bass or catfish, you'll discover that Berkeley County offers unrivaled opportunities. Even South Carolinians who know all the hot spots come here to enjoy the great water recreation system in Berkeley. Imagine living in the middle of it!

Passages of the Palmetto Trail wind through our lakesides, swamps and forests. Whether you prefer speed boating or canoeing, skiing or fishing, hiking or biking, you'll find it all on more than 200,000 acres of lake and hundreds of miles of trail.

The Great Outdoors is Calling

The Francis Marion National Forest consists of 250,000 acres of diverse plant and animal communities, including the endangered red cockaded woodpecker. Bike, hike, and horse trails abound through this immense national treasure.

Lake Moultrie Passage flanks the Santee Cooper dike system on the northwest rim of the lake. The Swamp Fox Passage offers an in depth look at four distinct, but equally lively, ecosystems from Witherbee Ranger Station to Awendaw.

Bird watchers can have a field day observing everything from the bald eagle nesting to the blue heron strolling in the swampy rice fields. Berkeley County is home to numerous birds and has become a popular area for bird watching.

Hunting and Horseback Riding

Deer and quail hunting, dove shoots, field trails, horseback riding and organized equestrian events, trail rides through the national forests; getting out in the sunshine and fresh air is a way of life here. The year-round average temperature of 55 degrees means you can play golf in January. There's no month when sports are called off for bad weather. The rural flavor of Berkeley County means getting outdoors is a traditional way of life.

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Annual Events

Family Circle Cup

South Carolina played a pivotal role in the course of American history, so it is uniquely qualified to host one of the longest running and most successful women’s professional tennis events. The Family Circle Cup, the oldest all-women’s Tier I event in the United States, moved to Berkeley County in the spring of 2001. Every April the biggest stars in tennis come to Daniel Island to compete for one of the most coveted trophies in women’s tennis. In 2004 the Family Circle Cup will be held at the Family Circle Tennis Center from April 10th through the 18th. For more information on the Family Circle Cup please call 1-800-677-2293 or visit the tournament's official website at www.familycirclecup.com.

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General

The Dennis Wildlife Center & Fish Hatchery

The Dennis Wildlife Center & Fish Hatchery is the headquarters for freshwater fisheries research and game management in the region. Free displays explain the area's striped bass program and deer research. Also popular is a bird egg collection representing 225 clutches of most of the species indigenous to the area. The Center is located near Bonneau off Highway 52. For more information, call 843-825-3387.

Hiking & Backpacking

Palmetto Trail

Hit the ground running, hiking or biking - or riding horseback - down the Palmetto Trail. Backpackers can make two or three days of trail camping on the 26- mile Lake Moultrie Passage or the 27-mile Swamp Fox Passage of the trail. Many campsites are available along the trail, providing a sense of being "away from it all."

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Lakes & Rivers

Recreational Paddling on Berkeley County's Blueways

Our rivers and waterways are history's natural highways. Before there were interstates or even dirt roads, our founders traveled them and moved produce and trade goods by canoe and pole boats. Just a short paddling trip can for all practical purposes create an experience much like those experienced by our forefathers. You can quickly whisk yourself away from the hustle and bustle of today's busy and complicated lifestyles to a much simpler time. A time often referred to as " the good old days " can be relived and shared with your family and friends. Berkeley County has an abundance of waters suitable for canoeing and kayaking that can provide wonderful back to nature experiences for the entire family. In these pages we will provide more detailed information on the recreational opportunities available to you through canoeing and kayaking in Berkeley County. For more information, visit www.berkeleyblueways.com.

For additional information call:
Barry Jurs 843-761-6900
Archie Thompson 843-899-2256

The Cooper River

The Cooper River was one of the first areas in South Carolina to be colonized. It boasts a broad array of native plants, animals and ecosystems. Riverbanks and adjacent wetlands are great for watching wildlife. White-tailed deer, raccoons and opossums visit the water's edge. River otters, beavers and alligators slip in and out of the river. Wood ducks and least terns are part of a host of resident and migratory waterfowl animating the skies. The river meanders through the Low Country, past dozens of historically significant sites, recreational resources and quaint rural communities. It's perfect for leisurely trips by boat to Charleston.

Upper Lake Marion

The lower portion of Upper Lake Marion is located in Berkeley County. The upper lake is joined to the lower Lake Moultrie by the Diversion Canal. Lake Moultrie and the Cooper River run straight through the heart of Berkeley County. If you love freshwater lakes teeming with fish and pristine shorelines abounding in wildlife, they'll run straight through your heart too. Passages of the Palmetto Trail wind through our lakesides, swamps and forests so you can get up close and personal with nature. Whether you prefer speed boating or canoeing, skiing or fishing, hiking or biking, you'll find it all on more than 200,000 acres of lake and hundreds of miles of trail.Berkeley County is a paradise for outdoor sportsmen and nature enthusiasts. Come visit and make a great escape.

Lower Lake Moultrie

Lake Moultrie is brimming with opportunities for the adventurous spirit. Bring your speedboat and skis, pontoon boat, canoe, jet ski, wave runner or sea kayak. Enjoy the lake at your own pace. Or rent a kayak, canoe or low-power boat when you arrive. Vendors are happy to provide any instructions requested. The lake offers a number of launch sites. Ample shoreline stops are available should your boat need a little refueling - or your riders need a little refreshing. The lake is carefully marked for safe passage to make your fun more enjoyable. Other sports complement our boating and skiing. On the northwest rim of the lake, nestled between Lake Moultrie and Lower Lake Marion, is one of two popular fish camp regions - a haven for fishers. (See our brochure called Relax.) Even scuba enthusiasts love our lakes. In fact, some historic sites are accessible only to divers.

Old Santee River

Diversion Canal

This canal connects upper Lake Marion to lower Lake Moultrie and is enjoyed by sportsmen of all types.

Tail Race Canal

This canal connects lower Lake Moultrie to the Cooper River by traveling through the locks of the dam.

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Parks & Gardens

Cypress Gardens

Cypress Gardens is located approximately 24 miles north of Charleston, SC, USA. The Gardens, known as the Gem of Berkeley County, offers visitors the rare experience of being one with nature as they explore the swamp on flat bottom boats, or by walking on a variety of nature trails. Visitors are surprised and amazed at the beauty and serenity of the cypress swamp. Butterfly aviary, a freshwater aquarium, new reptile center, a gift shop, and wonderful areas for lunch. For more information, visit www.cypressgardens.org.

Over 250,000 acres of diverse plant and animal communities, including the endangered red cockaded woodpecker. Bike, hike, and horse trails abound through this immense national treasure. Lake Moultrie Passage flanks the Santee Cooper dike system on the northwest rim of the lake. Swamp Fox Passage offers an indepth look at four distinct but equally lively ecosystems from Witherbee Ranger Station to Awendaw. A trail outing is just the ticket for an adventurous family wanting to get back to basics.

Mepkin Abbey

An attractive, trappist order monastery, this serene and beautiful place offers a rare look at the life of monks. Mepkin Abbey was founded in 1949 in the Low Country of South Carolina by 29 monks coming from the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky. Through Gethsemani, we trace our roots back to the Abbey of Melleray in France, one of the earliest foundations (12th century) of Cistercians. For more information, visit www.mepkinabbey.org.

Old Santee Canal Park

Old Santee Canal Park commemorates South Carolina's beautiful natural resources and emphasizes the tremendous historical significance of the Santee Canal. Less than 30 minutes away from downtown Charleston in historic Berkeley County, Old Santee Canal Park offers its visitors a glimpse at the events that shaped our lives and our communities as we know them today. Old Santee Canal Park is located at the end of Stony Landing Road in Moncks Corner, S.C. Stony Landing Road meets U.S. Highway 52 Bypass (Rembert C. Dennis Boulevard) at the traffic light. For more information, visit www.oldsanteecanalpark.org.

• Special Events at Old Santee Canal Park  (opens in new window)

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Wildlife Viewing

St Stephen Fish Lift (March 15 - April 15)

Annual migration of the anadromous fish (fish which spend most of their lives in saltwater but return to fresh water to spawn) include American shad, blueback herring, shortnose sturgeon and Atlantic sturgeon. A fish lift at St. Stephen enables fish migrating upstream to swim around a dam to reach historic spawning areas. A four-inch thick glass window alongside the lift lets visitors get a close-up, underwater view of migrating fish such as American shad and blueback herring. The facility is unique to South Carolina and the Southeast. The lift is located in Bonneau on Black Oak Road. For more information, call 843-825-3387.

Self-guided tour of the wildlife area with twenty-seven guideposts scattered along a one-mile trail. Part of old rice fields, now a waterfowl habitation. Section of Naval Weapons Station.

Over fifteen places to stop, pull over and view deer, wading birds and other waterfowl, alligators, turtles, and other wildlife, so abundant in Berkeley County.

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