Jasper County, SC

Including:

• Hardeeville
• Ridgeland
• Savannah River

Parks and recreation areas

• Blue Heron Nature Center

  Just off Interstate 95, in the little town or Ridgeland, you will find this impressive natural area among the motels, restaurants, and gasoline stations. A half-mile nature trail leads around the pond with several overlooks along the way. Along the trail you will find some benches, swings, and an attractive butterfly garden. In addition to the herons, you may see turtles, alligators, and other wildlife here. Also, several boardwalks take you through the surrounding forested wetlands. This is not a place to go for a long hike, but you can spend some relaxing and educational time wandering around this nature center. The Jasper's Porch Restaurant overlooks the pond also.

• Dawson Landing

  This boat ramp provides access to the Coosawhatchee (KOO · suh · HATCH · ee) River.

• Savannah National Wildlife Refuge

  This wildlife refuge consists of over 15,000 acres of freshwater marshes, tidal creeks, and bottomland hardwoods. The Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive provides opportunities for hiking, off-road bicycling, and driving through a variety of scenic areas. Many other trails wind their way around this refuge.

• T. B. Carroll, Jr. Memorial Park

  Right in the center of the town of Hardeeville, SC, just off I-95, sits a 100-year-old wood-fired narrow-gauge steam locomotive! You can actually climb into the cab here and imagine what it was like to work on one of the old logging railroads that were so important to the area's history. A picnic table and a fountain make this a nice place to relax as well.

• Tillman Sand Ridge Heritage Preserve and B-C Landing

  This location serves as a Heritage Preserve and as a Wildlife Management Area, and is listed as one of the state's Wildlife Viewing Areas. It protects endangered species such as the gopher tortoise, while also providing recreational activities. Hiking along the preserve's nature trails, you can see plenty of palm fronds and cypress knees. Note that there are no markings along the trails, except for the signs at the entrance road. The B&C Landing allows you to launch small boats onto a canal which leads to the Savannah River, although it may be difficult to get boats down the canal when water levels are low. A very primitive campsite is located near the boat ramp.

[ 5 listed ]

For more information about Jasper County, see https://www.sciway.net/cnty/jasper.html.

[012-07-13]