South Carolina
Nature|Hiking

The Almost Unknown Beach In South Carolina You Can Only Reach By Hiking This 7.8-Mile Trail

Discover the secluded Mackay Creek Beach on Pinckney Island by hiking a 3.9-mile trail through diverse terrain.

Published Dec 30, 2021

Written by 

Robin Jarvis

If you've ever driven out to Hilton Head Island, then you've passed the entrance to the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. This 4,053-acre oasis is located between Hilton Head and the mainland on an isolated island that includes an almost completely unknown beach in South Carolina. If you've ever wanted to have an entire beach (almost) to yourself, you'll find it here.

Park your car in the parking area at the entrance to the wildlife refuge and either continue on by way of the foot - or bring your bike.

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AllTrails

Exploring Pinckney Island is a fun experience, especially outside of the summer months when mosquitos make it difficult to enjoy the day.

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Google/Marc Shoemaker

For the best first-trip impression, go in the winter when the skeeters are almost non-existent.

The trail from the parking area to sandy Mackay Creek Beach is 3.9 miles each way and travels over a variety of mostly flat terrain.

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AllTrails/Victor DiAngelo

You'll traverse dirt roadways, skinny paths, oyster shells, and gravel en route to your serene paradise at the end of the trail.

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AllTrails/Jackie McCall

The total one-way elevation change is only 27 feet so the real work here is simply the stamina you'll need to stick with it for nearly four miles each way.

But you should be able to hike this trail (one way) in under two hours.

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AllTrails/Gaetano Dragone

Stick with cooler months and be sure to bring water to stay hydrated.

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Feel like swimming? Hey, some of these South Carolina winter days are so warm that swimming isn't entirely out of the question... is it?

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AllTrails/Gaetano Dragone

You'll be hard-pressed to find another beach as secluded as Mackay Creek Beach found at the end of Pinckney Island WMA.

Are you ready to go check out this (almost) unknown beach in South Carolina in person? Get more deets about the hike by visiting our friends over at AllTrails.com! (Consider downloading their app for an even better hiking experience.)

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Learn more about the refuge with a visit to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.

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Nature|Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

The Iconic Trail in South Carolina Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

Explore the unique Sandhills Hiking Trails in South Carolina, where ancient sandy dunes, longleaf pine forests, and diverse wildlife create a distinctive outdoor adventure.

Published Oct 17, 2024

Written by 

Megan Todaro

One thing I really love about hiking trails is how wildly different one can be from another. You can have a twenty-miler that kicks your butt and shifts in elevation the likes of which rock climbers only see. But then you can also have (sometimes in the same park!) A two-mile jaunt that takes you through nature in a relaxed, morning stroll type of way. The good news for everyone hiking in South Carolina is we have both varieties of trails at our disposal. If you are leaning more toward the latter though, we recommend checking out Sandhills Hiking Trail in Sesquicentennial State Park.

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Alltrails Adrian Zona

The Sandhills Hiking Trail in South Carolina is a popular trail that highlights the uniqueness of the Sandhills region. Located just outside of Columbia, the park is well-known for its scenic beauty, pine forests, and beautiful lake. The Sandhills Hiking Trail gives visitors an excellent opportunity to experience the distinctive ecosystems of the region while enjoying a peaceful outdoor escape.

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Alltrails Robert Stegall-Smith

In terms of trail overview, this hike is rated as easy-to-moderate, and suitable for hikers of all skill levels and ages. Clocking in at around two miles total, this loop trail will take hikers through towering pine trees, stunning shaded longleafs, and through the Sandhills terrain.

What’s more fascinating about the Sandhills region and what levels up this hike to iconic status is the fact that the terrain is the result of ancient beach dunes left behind when the Atlantic Ocean receded. In case you didn’t know, over 100 million years ago, much of inland South Carolina was covered by the ocean, which is why today, sediments, fossils, and other marine deposits typical of the area, can be found out in the wild!

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Alltrails Cindy Clark

Keep in mind, the park is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset and there is a small admission fee for day-use visitors. This goes to a good cause though, as it helps maintain the park and keep conservation efforts coming! Also, dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leash.

Have you ever trekked the Sandhills Hiking Trail before? What were your favorite parts about the experience? Sound off in the comments section!

Also, make sure to sign up for an Alltrails Plus membership before you hike! That way you can get even more information before you start your journey.

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Nature|Hiking

Hike This Easy Trail in South Carolina for an Unforgettable Adventure

This easy trail in beautiful Cheraw State Park won't take all day and has some gorgeous views!

Published Oct 17, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

We love a good difficult hike that ends up being an all-day trek. If you ask us, there's no better way to get out and exercise - after all, there are plenty of great trails in South Carolina, and you're surrounded by natural beauty wherever you go! Still, we also recognize the need for family-friendly hikes, too. Maybe you're not in the best of shape, or you're out with young kids or use mobility aids like a wheelchair or walker. If you're in the mood for something a bit more relaxed but just as beautiful, we think you'll love the spot we're featuring today. The gorgeous Lake Juniper Boardwalk Trail in Cheraw's Cheraw State Park is one of our favorite kid-friendly hikes in the Palmetto State. The scenery is lovely, and it's quite the easy jaunt that just about anyone can enjoy.

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Scott Densmore/AllTrails

Cheraw State Park shares its name with the city where it lies, and it's a wonderful place for an afternoon of fun. One of the biggest draws here is the championship golf course, but you'll find plenty of other amenities, like the magnificent 360-acre Lake Juniper.

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calder wilson/AllTrails

There's a lot to do at the lake. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent, and it's full of catfish and bass, which is perfect for those looking to try their luck at fishing. If you're looking to make a few days out of your getaway here, the lakefront cabins offer great views of the water.

One of the lake's best simple pleasures, though, is to enjoy a walk along the shore. The 1.2-mile Lake Juniper Boardwalk Trail is one of the park's easiest hikes. With very little elevation gain and an out-and-back time of just under 25 minutes, this is the type of exercise that just about anyone can enjoy.

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Robert Timmons/AllTrails

The trail offers beautiful scenery. The five-foot-wide dirt and wooden path is appropriate for strollers or wheelchairs, and the gentle grade will not wear you out too much.

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Tina S/AllTrails

Next time you're looking for a family-friendly outing in nature, this is definitely the hike to check out!

For more information about this great hike in Lake Cheraw State Park, check out our friends at AllTrails.

If you're a regular hiker in South Carolina, you don't want to miss a free trial of AllTrails+. You'll get to enjoy amazing benefits like downloadable maps and trail guides that will help you make the most of all your adventures, whether you're close to home or across the globe.

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