The Top Outdoor Adventures in South Carolina
Hiking, paddling, biking, and exploring await in this roundup of South Carolina outdoor adventures spanning lakes, rivers, trails, and coastal landscapes. Image: Destination North Myrtle Beach
South Carolina offers outdoor adventure in every direction, with landscapes ranging from mountain foothills to historic sites, wide lakes, and coastal marshes. Across the state, natural beauty and history often intersect in unexpected ways. Here are some of the best South Carolina outdoor adventures, where trails, waterways, and scenic overlooks invite exploration at an easygoing pace (or a more active one, depending on where the day takes you!).
- Old 96 District: Walk (and Ride) Through History
- Lake Hartwell Country: A Three-Lake Escape in Upstate South Carolina
- North Myrtle Beach: Marshes, Islands & Open Water
- Lake Murray: Shoreline Days & Scenic Trails
- Thoroughbred Country: Where Horse Country Meets the Outdoors
- Lowcountry, SC: Wildlife, Waterways & Local Culture
Old 96 District: Walk (and Ride) Through History
Steeped in natural beauty and rich American history, Old 96 District offers a uniquely immersive outdoor experience. An ideal destination for hiking, walking, and exploring, you can chase both scenic views and stories from the past here.
One standout is Hickory Knob State Resort Park, as it’s South Carolina’s only state resort park. Here, you can spend the day on the water kayaking, test your aim with archery, play a round on the 18-hole golf course, or unwind with lakeside views before retreating to the on-site lodge and restaurant.
History is just as present as the landscapes. At Ninety Six National Historic Site, the home of the first Southern land battle of the American Revolution, walking trails weave past reconstructed fortifications and original earthworks.
Nearby, Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site offers peaceful riverfront paths alongside powerful stories of a pivotal Revolutionary War battle in the Southern Campaign.
For more active adventures, portions of the Forks Area Trail System (FATS) in McCormick County provide miles of well-maintained routes for both hikers and mountain bikers.
No matter what type of adventure you’re seeking, Old 96 District offers an outdoor experience that’s enriching and unforgettable.
Lake Hartwell Country: A Three-Lake Escape in Upstate South Carolina
Anchored by its namesake, Lake Hartwell Country is a playground for water lovers and mountain seekers alike, offering the best of both worlds. In fact, it’s one of the only regions in South Carolina where you can enjoy both mountains and beaches all in one day.
Home to three of the state’s most impressive lakes, each one offers a unique experience. Tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake Jocassee is home to crystal-clear water and limited access points that preserve its natural beauty. Nearby, Devils Fork State Park offers one of the best entry points to explore the lake’s quiet coves.
Just down the road, Lake Keowee invites visitors to get out on the water in a variety of ways, including kayaking, paddleboarding, or pontooning. Scenic overlooks at Keowee-Toxaway State Park offer sweeping views, while nearby marinas make it easy to spend a full day on the lake.
The largest of the trio, Lake Hartwell, is a favorite among anglers as it hosts major fishing tournaments at Green Pond Landing. Beyond the water, you can take a challenging Table Rock State Park hike that rewards you with panoramic vistas.
End your day along Lake Hartwell’s red clay shoreline, where sandy stretches and beautiful sunsets offer a picture-perfect finish to your adventure.
North Myrtle Beach: Marshes, Islands & Open Water
North Myrtle Beach is a stunning coastal playground where salt marshes, a barrier island, and wide beaches create endless opportunities for outdoor exploration.
In the Cherry Grove Marsh, calm tidal creeks are ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding, with winding waterways revealing egrets, herons, and other coastal wildlife along the way.
Just offshore, Waites Island — South Carolina’s last undeveloped barrier island — offers guided discovery experiences, including horseback rides along the shore through Inlet Point Plantation.
If you’re looking to spend the day on the water, the Intracoastal Waterway serves as a launch point for dolphin tours, boat rentals, and leisurely cruising, with plenty of stops for dining and boutique shopping.
Back on land, nature lovers can explore the elevated boardwalks at Heritage Shores Nature Preserve or the quiet paths of Russell Burgess Coastal Preserve, both of which offer prime bird-watching and serene views of the surrounding salt marshes.
Beachcombers will find plenty of souvenirs along the shoreline, where shells, sea glass, and even shark teeth often wash ashore after a shifting tide.
North Myrtle Beach is the perfect place to slow down and settle into the rhythm of the coast, where every adventure feels shaped by salt air, open water, and natural beauty.
Lake Murray: Shoreline Days & Scenic Trails
Situated minutes from Columbia, Lake Murray spans 650 miles of shoreline, creating an inland escape perfect for spending time on the water. Boating, fishing, kayaking, and lakeside lounging are all popular activities here, with marinas and public access points making it easy to enjoy a full day of outdoor fun.
Sunset cruises add a slower pace, while seasonal wildlife moments — like the famed Purple Martin migration — bring unexpected wonder to evenings on the lake.
Beyond the shoreline, the surrounding region is a network of outdoor spaces known as Lake Murray Country. The Palmetto Trail runs through forests and waterways, while nearby parks and preserves, such as Congaree National Park, Dreher Island State Park, and Harbison State Forest, are ideal for hiking, biking, and riverfront exploration. Urban greenways like the Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park, and the West Columbia and Cayce riverwalks, extend the outdoor experience into the heart of the city.
On the water, the Saluda, Broad, and Congaree Rivers are popular areas for kayaking, tubing, and guided adventures through varied landscapes.
For the links lovers, championship courses such as Timberlake Country Club, Golden Hills Golf & Country Club, and Cobblestone Park Golf Club add another layer of outdoor recreation with their scenic fairways.
Thoroughbred Country: Where Horse Country Meets the Outdoors
Made up of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, and Barnwell Counties, Thoroughbred Country blends laid-back outdoor recreation with small-town charm and wide-open spaces that invite unhurried exploration.
Dining plays a significant role in how visitors experience the region’s landscapes. Mr. B’s, Southbound Smokehouse, and George’s Creek Café all make the most of their natural surroundings.
In Aiken, Good Girl Brewing Co. offers a lively, pet-friendly hangout with outdoor seating and live music, while Sno-Cap Drive-In is a nostalgic stop that’s perfect after a day outside.
For a leisurely stroll, the North Augusta Greeneway offers a paved route for walking and biking, while Hitchcock Woods and Hopelands Gardens provide shaded trails beneath towering oaks.
Water lovers can paddle with South Fork Paddlers or kayak at Lake Edgar Brown, while golfers head to Sweetwater Golf Club for scenic fairways.
Family-friendly outings include disc golf at Williston Town Park and Boyd Pond Park, as well as wildlife encounters at Eudora Wildlife Safari Park. Meanwhile, history comes alive at the Battle of Rivers Bridge State Historic Site, where interpretive trails wind through preserved, man-made formations.
Equestrian culture remains central across the region, with trail riding and immersive stays at places like Stable View and King Creek Campground. Seasonal gatherings such as UnityFest bring the community together with food, music, and outdoor celebration.
Lowcountry, SC: Wildlife, Waterways & Local Culture
In South Carolina’s Lowcountry, you’ll find outdoor adventures alongside rich history, Gullah culture, and some of the state’s most recognizable coastal landscapes. Tidal marshes, winding rivers, sandy beaches, and moss-draped live oaks create a peaceful backdrop that feels unmistakably Lowcountry.
The scenic waterways are among the area’s primary draws. Kayaking through quiet creeks, boating along winding rivers, casting a line in hidden fishing spots, and spotting dolphins along the coast are all part of everyday life here.
Hiking and biking trails weave through maritime forests and marsh overlooks, and birders can spend hours spotting egrets, herons, pelicans, and other wildlife moving through the landscape.
The Lowcountry also lends itself especially well to multi-generational travel. One group can spend the morning on the golf course while others explore local shops, relax near the water, or take in the area’s history through Revolutionary War landmarks and cultural sites that preserve the traditions of the region’s Gullah communities.
Food remains central to your experience, too. After a full day outside, unwind with an oyster roast, Lowcountry boil, delicious BBQ, or waterfront seafood.
In the Lowcountry, nature, culture, and community are all closely connected — and best experienced at your own pace.
Enjoy your South Carolina adventures — wherever they may take you!
This article is sponsored by Old 96 District Tourism, Lake Hartwell Country, Destination North Myrtle Beach, Capital City/Lake Murray Country, Thoroughbred Country, and the Lowcountry Tourism Commission.
Brianna Goebel
Brianna is StyleBlueprint’s Associate Editor and Sponsored Content Manager. She is an avid fan of iced coffee and spends her free time reading romance novels.