Sumter National Forest Travel Guide

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Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of South Carolina, Sumter National Forest is a nature lover's paradise. Spanning over 370,000 acres, this expansive forest offers visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in the beauty of the great outdoors.

One of the most striking features of Sumter National Forest is its diverse landscape. From rolling hills to deep canyons, the forest showcases the natural beauty of the region. Hiking enthusiasts can explore the numerous trails that wind through the forest, offering breathtaking views of waterfalls, wildflowers, and towering trees. For those seeking a more leisurely experience, there are also picnic areas and scenic drives that allow visitors to take in the stunning scenery at their own pace.

Sumter National Forest is also home to an abundance of wildlife, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. With over 200 species of birds, including the elusive red-cockaded woodpecker, birdwatchers will be in their element as they explore the forest's diverse ecosystems. The forest is also home to deer, black bears, and bobcats, providing ample opportunities for wildlife sightings and photography.

For those interested in history, Sumter National Forest offers a glimpse into the past. The forest is dotted with remnants of the region's rich cultural heritage, including old homesteads and historic sites. Visitors can step back in time as they explore these sites, imagining what life was like for the early settlers of the area.

In addition to its natural and historical attractions, Sumter National Forest also offers a range of recreational activities. Fishing enthusiasts can cast their lines in the forest's pristine lakes and rivers, while boating and swimming opportunities abound in the numerous waterways. Camping is also a popular activity, with several campgrounds offering a chance to spend a night under the stars.

Alternative names: Elevation: 761 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 34°34'6"N, 82°5'2"W

Location

South CarolinaUnited States

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Sumter National Forest Top Attractions

Sumter National Forest Attractions - What to See and Explore

Sumter National Forest offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Kings Creek Falls, Oconee State Park, Padgett's Creek Baptist Church, Duncan's Creek Presbyterian Church. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Nature • Natural attraction • Waterfall
Kings Creek Falls
Kings Creek Falls, located near Long Creek, South Carolina, is a waterfall in the Oconee District of the Sumter National Forest. Kings Creek is a tributary of the Chatooga River, and the falls are located off a short spur from the Foothills Trail.
Park
Oconee State Park
Oconee State Park is a state park located in the Blue Ridge Mountain region of South Carolina. This 1165-acre park has several recreational opportunities to choose from.
Church
Padgett's Creek Baptist Church
Padgett's Creek Baptist Church is a historic Southern Baptist church located at 843 Old Buncombe Rd, Union, South Carolina near Cross Keys, Union County, South Carolina. It was built between 1844 and 1848, and is a plain, rectangular two-story meeting house building over slightly raised brick supports.

Church
Duncan's Creek Presbyterian Church
Duncan's Creek Presbyterian Church, also known as Old Rock Church, is a historic Presbyterian church located near Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina. It was built in 1842 and is a simple rectangular building constructed of irregular stones.
Park • State park
Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Hickory Knob State Resort Park is a state park located on the shores of Lake Strom Thurmond near the town of McCormick in McCormick County, South Carolina. It is the only resort park in the South Carolina State Park system.
Park • Bike trail • State park
Hamilton Branch State Park
Hamilton Branch State Park is located near the town of Plum Branch in McCormick County. It sits on a 731-acre peninsula in Lake Strom Thurmond.
Church
Long Cane Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Long Cane Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church is a historic Associate Reformed Presbyterian church in McCormick County, South Carolina four miles west of Troy, South Carolina on SC 33-36. Adjacent to the church building is a cemetery dating to circa 1790.
Watermill
Price's Mill
Price's Mill, also known as Calliham's Mill, Stone's Mill, and Park's Mill, is a water-powered gristmill about 2 mi east of the town of Parksville on South Carolina Highway 33-138 at Stevens Creek in McCormick County.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Lake Strom Thurmond
Lake Strom Thurmond, officially designated J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir at the federal level, and Clarks Hill Lake by the state of Georgia, is a reservoir at the border between Georgia and South Carolina in the Savannah River Basin.
33°54'43"N • 82°17'40"W
Hotel Keturah
Hotel Keturah is a historic hotel building located at McCormick in McCormick County, South Carolina. It was built about 1910, and is a 2 1/2-story, brick building with a hipped roof in the Colonial Revival style. The front façade features a one-story frame porch with Doric order Tuscan columns.
Cemetery
Patrick Calhoun Family Cemetery
The Patrick Calhoun Family Cemetery, located in Abbeville County, South Carolina, contains the graves of Patrick Calhoun and members of his family, who settled in Abbeville County in the 1750s.
Natural attraction • Protected area
Steven's Creek Heritage Preserve
Steven's Creek Heritage Preserve is a nature preserve in the US State of South Carolina. It is managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. It covers 434 acres in McCormick County and Edgefield County, and was established to protect rare animal and plant species.
Cemetery
Long Cane Massacre Site
Long Cane Massacre Site is a historic site located near Troy, McCormick County, South Carolina. The district encompasses 40 contributing buildings in Mount Carmel.
34°29'19"N • 81°25'14"W
Shivar Springs Bottling Company Cisterns
Shivar Springs Bottling Company Cisterns is a set of six historic cisterns located near Winnsboro, Fairfield County, South Carolina. They were built about 1900, and are a group of six cylindrical, stuccoed stone cisterns with concrete domes. The Shivar Springs Bottling Company was in operation from about 1900 to about 1950.
33°54'38"N • 82°17'42"W
McCormick County Courthouse
McCormick County Courthouse is a historic courthouse building located at McCormick in McCormick County, South Carolina. It was designed by architect G. Lloyd Preacher and built in 1923. It is a two-story, Classical Revival style brick building. It features a large two-story portico with Doric order columns and pilasters.
Archaeological site
Pinckneyville
Pinckneyville is a historic frontier settlement site located near Union, Union County, South Carolina. Pinckneyville was established on February 19, 1791, by the General Assembly of South Carolina Act #1491 along with the Washington district, and is one of the earliest settlements in the South Carolina backcountry.
34°35'45"N • 81°25'20"W
Fishdam Ford
Fishdam Ford is a historic ford and fish trap located near Chester, Chester County, South Carolina. The ford is believed to be of Native American origin. Adjacent to the ford is an Native American fish trap.
Archaeological site
McCollum Mound
McCollum Mound, also known as Turkey Creek Mound and village, is a historic mound and village site located near Chester, Chester County, South Carolina. The site is one of less than two dozen mounds of aboriginal origin in the state of South Carolina. The mound was built in three, or possibly more, stages.
Bridge
Bradley's Covered Bridge
Bradley's Covered Bridge, also known as the Long Cane Covered Bridge, was a covered bridge located near Troy, South Carolina. Until its fiery destruction by vandals, the Long Cane Covered Bridge, listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, was one of three covered bridges in South Carolina.

Day trips

Sumter National Forest – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Sumter National Forest, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Greenville), Fluor Field at the West End (Greenville), Memorial Stadium (Clemson).

26 milesNW
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville
Nestled in the heart of Greenville, South Carolina, the Bon Secours Wellness Arena stands as a premier destination for entertainment and sporting events in the Upstate region. Known to locals as "The Well," this versatile venue offers a dynamic array of programming...
26 milesNW
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
Fluor Field at the West End, Greenville
Nestled in the charming West End district of Greenville, South Carolina, Fluor Field is a classic American ballpark that captures the spirit of baseball while offering a modern experience for fans of the sport. Modeled after Fenway Park, the historic home of the Boston...
44 milesW
Arenas and stadiums, Football, Sport venue
Memorial Stadium, Clemson
Memorial Stadium, affectionately known as "Death Valley" to Clemson Tiger fans, stands as a bastion of American college football in Pickens County, South Carolina. This iconic stadium, located on the campus of Clemson University, is a landmark for sports enthusiasts...
26 milesNW
Compact, year-round wildlife menagerie
Greenville Zoo, Greenville
The Greenville Zoo is a zoo in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. The zoo opened in 1960, and is located at 150 Cleveland Park Drive, near Interstate 385, on a 14-acre site within Cleveland Park.
27 milesN
Sport venue, Park, Sport
Duncan Park, Spartanburg
Duncan Park is a stadium in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It is primarily used for baseball and is currently the home of the Spartanburgers of the Coastal Plain League, the Spartanburg High School baseball team, and the Spartanburg Post 28 American Legion Baseball team. The...