Agencies & Organizations

Nonprofit and Private Trail Providers

Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, Inc. (FENCE)
500 Hunting Country Road
Tryon, NC 28782
704-859-9021
704-859-9315

FENCE, located on the North Carolina/South Carolina border near I-26, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to education, recreation, and preservation since 1985. FENCE has over five miles of trails for walking and horse riding on their 300 acres. FENCE includes a well-known Equestrian Center for competitive events for hunters/jumpers, for dressage, and for combined training, and also annually hosts the Block House Steeplechase. FENCE also promotes nature study through its wildlife programs which include seasonal birdwalks, environmental education classes, herb workshops, and programs for children and young adults.

Anne Springs Close Greenway
PO Box 1209
Fort Mill, SC 29716
803-548-7252

The 2,300 acre greenway has been donated by the Close family for use as a low-impact recreation area while it is "preserved and protected in perpetuity." Forming an arc around the northern part of Fort Mill, the Greenway includes three lakes, four ponds, and about 28 miles of trails. This is a place for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, and primitive camping among the oaks and maples that have covered this landscape for hundreds and thousands of years. Miles of trails invite you to experience the wildflowers, birds, lakes, creeks, and trees. To cover a portion of the cost of operating the Greenway, modest membership and daily use fees are charged.

Hitchcock Foundation
PO Box 1702
Aiken, SC 29802
803-642-0528

The Hitchcock Woods, located in Aiken, offers visitors the natural beauty and quiet solitude of a unique southern forest located in the midst of an urban area. Hitchcock Woods is owned and managed by the Hitchcock Foundation, a non-profit organization, which was established in 1939 by Thomas Hitchcock and his daughter, Helen H. Clark. There are 65 miles of marked, sandy trails throughout the 2,000 acre woods. Maps are available by mail from the office or at the seven main entrances. Hitchcock Woods is open daily from dawn until dusk. Joggers, hikers, picnickers, dog walkers, school groups, horseback riders, and horse carriages are welcome. Fishing, hunting, camping, and bicycling are not permitted in Hitchcock Woods.

The Nature Conservancy, South Carolina Chapter
PO Box 5475
Columbia, SC 29250
803-254-9049
E-mail: SCFODoug@aol.com

The South Carolina Chapter, founded in 1978, is one of 62 local chapters of The Nature Conservancy. As of January, 1996, the South Carolina Chapter has preserved 123,082 acres of wetlands, forests, and coastlines through ownership, management, or project assistance. They manage fifteen preserves in the Palmetto State. Because lands managed by the Conservancy are viewed as preserves rather than parks, not all preserves are suitable for open visitation by the general public. To find out which are open for passive outdoor recreation such as photography and nature study contact the Chapter. Opportunities to see some of the other preserves exist through the many annual Conservancy-sponsored guided field trips and work days.

Westvaco (Edisto Nature Trail)
Timberlands Division
Box 1950
Summerville, SC 29484
803-871-5000

Westvaco's Edisto Nature Trail, open to the public since 1976, is a gateway to the ACE (Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto) River Basin. Located near Jacksonboro, SC, the trail meanders through a typical Carolina Lowcountry setting. On the half-mile and one-mile self-guided trails, visitors will see many different plant species; historical sites, such as the Old King's Highway dating from the 1700's; and evidence of past land uses from the rice culture and phosphate mining. Points of interest are marked with numbers along the trail and are described in an accompanying brochure that is available on-site.

Sea Pines Forest Preserve
CSA,Inc.
175 Greenwood Drive
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
803-671-1343

The 404-acre Sea Pines Forest Preserve has 8-10 miles of trails that follow ante-bellum rice dikes from the 1840s and old logging trails from the 1950s. Bridle paths, wetland boardwalks, observation decks, bridges, and fishing docks have been added to improve visitor access. The trails are open to hikers and mountain bikers from sunrise to sunset.

Francis Beidler Forest in Four Holes Swamp
336 Sanctuary Road
Harleyville, SC 29448
843-462-2150

Francis Beidler Forest is a wildlife sanctuary of the National Audubon Society. It is the largest virgin blackwater cypress-tupelo swamp forest left in the world. This 11,000-acre riverine sanctuary in the heart of Four Holes Swamp embraces 1,800 acres of ancient trees that tower over blackwater streams, clear pools, and 300 species of wildlife. A 1 ½ mile winding boardwalk starts and ends at the Visitors’ Center.

The River Alliance
506 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29201
803-765-2200
803-765-9600 fax

The River Alliance’s mission is to revitalize 90 miles of riverfront along the Saluda, Broad, and Congaree Rivers in Columbia, SC. They envision an exciting waterfront area filled with shops, restaurants, and other attractions that will bring the rivers back into the daily lives of area residents and visitors. A major part of the revitalization is the Three Rivers Greenway project which will provide 18 miles of multi-use recreational paths along the Rivers.

TNT Motorsports Park
4027 Great Falls Highway
Richburg, SC 29729
803-482-4759

The 123-acre Park is open to the public for motorcycle riding on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am till dark for a fee. You’ll find a 10 acre motocross track and 8 miles of tight and technical woods trails. Everyone that enters the park must sign a release and wear a helmet while riding.

Lakeview Plantation

875 Cedar Knoll Road
Fairfax, SC 29827
803-584-0689

From the main campground area you can explore the Cedar Knoll Equestrian Trail, four sandy, gently rolling, double-track loops and numerous single-track spur trails through 2,600 private acres of hardwood troughs, pine woods, and wetland depressions known as Carolina Bays. A total of 60 miles of well-maintained marked and unmarked trails are available at a daily fee.