Aiken County Nature Trails

Aiken County Nature Trails

Aiken County is located in the western part of the state along the Georgia state line, and on the fall line physiographic province, which lies between the coastal plain and piedmont physiographic provinces. Miles of trails await you at seven Heritage Preserves, which are open for public use one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

Hiking, Biking, Equestrian, and Water Trails

Horse Creek Water Trail
803-642-7559
Entry: Access by kayak or canoe off Posner Street in Graniteville, Langley Pond in Burnettown, and Harrison-Caver Park in Clearwater.
The Horse Creek Water Trail is one of the newest attractions and oldest Native American sites in Aiken County. The 9-mile nature lovers retreat winds through Horse Creek Valley. Used by Native Americans to water their horses and rest, they also built villages along the creek, which empties into the chilly Savannah River.

Langley Pond Loop Trail
803-642-7559
Entry: Langley Pond Park
The first trail developed by the GAIT Foundation (Greater Aiken Integrated Trails). Ride your horse through the beautiful woods at Langley Pond Park. Accessible by foot or horseback, the wooded trail is 2.8 miles winding through a cool canopy of lush thick woods accessible only at Langley Pond Park.

Hitchcock Woods
Access: Seven entrances, easiest is the corner of Laurens St. and South Boundary.
803-642-0528
www.hitchcockwoods.org
Open 365 days from dawn till dusk.

A 2,100 acre natural forest surrounded by greater Aiken, SC. Annually, thousands of equestrians and nature enthusiasts enjoy 65 miles of trails featuring unique plants and animals. The Hitchcock Foundation encourages passive recreation to preserve the integrity and tranquility of the forest. Motorized vehicles or bicycles are not allowed.

Crackerneck
Jackson, SC
803-725-3663
www.dnr.sc.gov – Check website for Events and Closures

Crackerneck is a 10,470-acre Wildlife Management Area and Ecological Reserve owned by the U. S DOE, and managed by the S.C. DOR in Jackson.

Silver Bluff Audubon Center & Sanctuary
4542 Silver Bluff Rd., Jackson, SC
803-471-0291
www.sc.audubon.org
Hours: Call ahead for hours

The 3,154 acre wildlife sanctuary is a National Audubon Society property with a varied habitat of forests, fields, lakes, ponds and streams, and trails nestled along 2.4 miles of the Savannah River. It is a favorite destination for birding with over 200 species and wildflowers. Educational programs focus on forest and land management.

Boyd Pond Park
340 Boyd Pond Rd, Aiken, SC
803-642-0314

2 mile walking trail and over 6 mile mountain bike trail in a 210 acre park with 30 acre pond. Follow Silver Bluff Rd. (SC-302) for 7 miles out of Aiken. Turn Right onto Boyd Pond Rd

Brick Pond Park
88 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, SC
803-441-4300

Open year round, from dawn until dusk. Enjoyable, easy to follow paths. 62-acre park is a natural habitat for animals and birds, falls and a pavilion.

H. O. Weeks Center/Virginia Acres
Price Avenue, Aiken, SC
803-642-7630

A flat, lit, paved, multi-use, 1-mile oval path. Bicycles or motorized vehicles are not permitted.

Sparkleberry at The Bishop Gravatt Center
1006 Camp Gravatt Rd., Aiken, SC
803-648-1817

Year round, dawn to dusk M-F. Register at office for this 2-mile trail. Pets must remain on leashes. Water and restrooms are available in the dining facility.

Carolina Bay Nature Reserve
Price Avenue, Aiken, SC
803-642-7630
Open year round, dawn to dusk

The Carolina Bay is surrounded by 14 plus acres of land.

North Augusta Greeneway
100 Riverview Park Dr., North Augusta, SC
803-441-4300

A smooth paved trail for walking, hiking, bicycling, and roller-skating. Built along an abandoned railroad track, the trail offers a wonderful “green tunnel” experience for much of its length. The main trail is over seven miles long, with several more miles of trails branching off of it. Access points located at Municipal Center, Riverview Park, Martintown Rd., Pisgah Rd and Bergen Rd.

Boeckh Park
501 Front Street, North Augusta, SC

Located on the Savannah River and a stretch of the beautiful Greeneway.
Large grassy area, pavilion and a dock.

Aiken State Park
1145 State Park Rd., Windsor, SC
803-649-2857
www.southcarolinaparks.com
Open year round

3-mile loop through wetlands, and mixed pine and hardwood forest.
Leashed pets ok. Restrooms near the picnic area. Enter park, turn left.
Trail head is to the right of the playground.

Redcliffe Plantation
181 Redcliffe Rd., Beech Island, SC
803-827-1473
www.southcarolinaparks.com

1/4 mile trail. Trail head at bottom right corner of field in front of home.
Leashed pets ok. Restrooms are available at the office. No fee.

Other Heritage Preserves and Wildlife Areas

HP – 803-734-3893 / WMA- 803-734-3886 Maps @ www.dnr.sc.gov

Aiken Gopher Tortoise HP/WMA
Wagener, Lat 33.505 Long -81.413
Get Directions to Gopher Tortoise HP/WMA
The 1,622 acre preserve is home to the rare and state-listed endangered gopher tortoise.

Ditch Pond HP/WMA
Williston, SC Lat 33.415 Long -81.472
Get directions to Ditch Pond HP/WMA
The 296 acre preserve with a Carolina bay, an elliptically shaped, wet depressions ranging from one acre to over 1,000. Archery hunting for deer and gun hunting for small game is allowed.

Janet Harrison High Pond HP
A Carolina bay, the high pond vegetative community, and populations of several rare plant species are protected in this 30.11 acre preserve.

Bear Branch HP
Aiken, Lat 33.672 Long -81.799
Get Directions to Bear Branch HP
A 173-acre tract in northern Aiken County. Prearranged tours only. B.F. Landrum began making pottery here in 1848.

Gopher Branch HP
Aiken, Lat 33.661 Long -81.793
Get Directions to Gopher Branch HP
Prearranged tours only. Rev. J. Landrum’s home and alkaline glaze stoneware pottery. “Dave,” a slave potter of some renown, worked for Landrum and his son-in-law Lewis Miles.

Savannah River Bluffs HP
North Augusta, Lat. 33.530 Long -82.001
Get Directions to Savannah River Bluffs HP
The 83.84-acre site has 1,076 feet of river frontage on one of the few remaining river shoals of the Savannah River.

Henderson HP/WMA
Aiken. Lat 33.415 Long -81.742
Get Directions to Henderson HP/WMA
A 1.4 mile hiking trail guides visitors through this habitat. 417 acres, about 2 miles north of Aiken