South Carolina State Parks truly has something for everyone. We found the paddlers paradise on our visit to Colleton and Givhans Ferry State Parks. A short drive from Charleston, these two parks are connected by twenty three miles of blackwater river. Colleton State Park serves as the headquarters for the Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail. Givhans Ferry provides the perfect finale to the trail. The Edisto River is the longest free-flowing blackwater river in North America.

Colleton State Park is small, just 35 acres, compared to Givhans Ferry’s 988 acre spread. Both have beautiful nature hiking trails. Adventurers can pick up a self-guided interpretive nature trail brochure before heading out on the half- mile Cypress Swamp Trail at Colleton. Givhans Ferry’s River Bluff Nature Trail rambles through 1.5 miles of wooded park.

 Younger family members can enjoy playgrounds while adults relax nearby.

These parks provide shaded picnic tables for your outdoor dining. We love outdoor dining! (We apparently also love sweaty, cheesy grins). 

In addition to the canoe/kayak trail, both parks offer water lovers boating, fishing, and swimming (in season).

Whether you’re a tent camper or prefer the much larger, more comfortable RV (hello, this is me), these parks have well-manicured campgrounds. You can also rent a cabin.

There is no Ranger Station at the entrance to either park, so make sure to have cash for the small entry fees.

By no means does this describe all the amenities and activities found in these two parks. We only hit the high spots (picnic and playground).

Holy City residents are fortunate to have two State Parks so close, offering nature get-aways for lovers of the outdoors.