Hiking Trail

Peachtree Rock Nature Preserve

(Lexington County)

TrailMap

Description: Starting from the parking area, you will follow a winding connector trail to a junction with two moderately difficult  loop trails, marked with blue and red paint, which circle this 306-acre refuge dedicated to the protection of some unique sandstone formations. The most famous, Peachtree Rock, looks like a precariously balanced overturned pyramid. Some 20 feet high, it is a remnant from millions of years ago when the Sandhills were the continent’s eastern coastline, which accounts for the largest collection of marine fossils found in the state. At the junction, turn to the left and Peachtree Rock is approximately 0.1 mile. Continue past Peachtree Rock and  you will see the only naturally occurring waterfall in the Midlands, a 20-foot drop into Hunt Creek that’s cool and refreshing during hotter weather. Shortly past the waterfall the Red Trail branches to the right and loops back to the junction. Continue on the Blue Trail to another feature of the preserve, the Tall Rock (or Little Peachtree Rock) at the farthest point on the Blue Trail. When you reach the junction with the Red Trail, you can turn left toward the parking area on the Red Trail, or continue on the Blue Trail back to Peachtree Rock and the waterfall.

This area is hiking only, and leave only your footprints. Insect repellent is recommended during warm months.

Length: Blue Trail is a 2.1 miles and the Red Trail 1.2 miles round trip from the parking area.

Fees: None.

Directions: From I 26, Exit 113 (Airport Exit) in Columbia, drive southwest on SC 302 (Edmund Road) past the airport. Drive approximately 11 miles and fork left (southeast) on SC 6. Drive for 1.0 mile and you will see the parking area on the left at Peachtree Rock Road.

Hours: Dawn to dusk.

Camping: No camping.

Information: The Nature Conservancy, 2231 Devine St., Columbia, SC 29205, Telephone: 803-254-9049.