Outdoors

This is the site where Gen. Sumter defeated the hated Col. Banastre Tarleton. This large battle was important for lifting backcountry morale and for encouraging Gen. Greene to send Continentals into the region, who two months later turned the tide of the Revolutionary War at Cowpens. Situated along the Tyger River in Union County, this beautiful property is home to a 2.5-mile segment of the Palmetto Trail that provides tremendous recreation potential along the river. Open daily from dawn until dusk.

Established in 1939 as a federal refuge for indigenous wildlife and game management demonstration project, the 45,348-acre refuge now serves as a demonstration site for land management practices, which preserve and enhance the longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem. It supports approximately 190 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, 41 species of reptiles, 25 species of amphibians, and innumerable species of plants, including several species of fauna and flora that are listed as threatened or endangered. These include the Swainson’s warbler, red-cockaded woodpecker, pine barrens treefrog, white wicky, Well’s pixie moss, and the sweet pitcher plant. It supports an estimated 125 clusters of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, the largest population in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Offers 30 man-made lakes & ponds, walking trails, an auto tour route, picnic areas, hunting and fishing. Click here to join the FaceBook group, Friends of Carolina Sandhills NWR.  

With its 68 acres, the park includes a 1.5 mile lighted walking, jogging, bicycle trail, picnic and playground areas, five softball and five multi-purpose fields which attract state and national tournaments. I-77, exit 82-B.

This quiet 523-acre park provides a tranquil setting which is enjoyed by campers, day-users and nature lovers. The park’s 160 acre lake offers excellent fishing opportunities by land, boat, or fishing piers. Public boat ramp, boat rentals, picnic shelters, playgrounds, nature trails, and the Lakeview Hall meeting facility are available daily. Also available are a 27-hole Disc Golf course and 25 campsites with water & electricity. The campsite has a bathhouse with hot showers, a sewage disposal station, picnic area, playground, fishing lake, fishing boats and canoes for rent, tournament-level disc golf course, nature trails. Park hours: 9 am–sunset daily. Admission charged. Located 2 miles west of Chester on SC 72. 759 State Park Dr., Chester. (803) 385-2680.

This newly opened outdoor amphitheater, near the (Anne Spings Close) greenway’s Dairy Barn offers another opportunity for the site’s 200,000 visitors. Featuring state-of-the-art technology, the venue welcomes higher-level groups and a variety of talent to the area. Situated in surroundings that will provide a quiet atmosphere during events, it features open-lawn seating and dark stonework that is perfect for listening to music and enjoying picnics.

This 250m world-class velodrome is part of the Rock Hill Outdoor Center at Riverwalk, owned and operated by the City of Rock Hill. The facility, endorsed by USA Cycling, hosts national and UCI caliber events while introducing the local community to the Olympic sport of track cycling through a variety of rider development and outreach programs. At the Velodrome, cyclists can find their home base for training and development. This year-round facility offers programs for cyclists of all stages and ages, providing equipment, instruction, and track races, through partnerships with the Rock Hill Bicycle Club and other cycling advocacy groups. A certification process is required of all cyclists, regardless of cycling ability, before riding on the track. Be sure to check out the variety of track races at the Velodrome. Track races provide great entertainment for spectators of all ages. The velodrome's schedule of events can be found on its website: http://www.Giordanavelodrome.com

Cypress trees line the spring-fed lake which offers boating and fishing. The park features a nature trail and canoe trail, which gives the visitor an excellent opportunity to view the native flora and fauna. Picnic shelters, tables, playground equipment and a meeting facility available. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife. 9am–6pm daily. Winter hours of operation: Fri-Sun: 9am--6pm, December 1--March 14. Office hours : 11am--noon, daily. Free park admission.