8 Outdoor Things to Do in The South Carolina Old 96 District
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Are you curious about how to spend some time outside in the Old 96 District?
The South Carolina Old 96 District is located on the western side of the state. The area is home to numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, and I recently had the pleasure of experiencing a few days on the trail exploring this gorgeous part of the state.
From hiking to kayaking to fishing, there are plenty of ways to experience the Old 96 District if you want to spend some time in nature. In this blog post, I’m sharing 8 of the best outdoor activities you can do while visiting this beautiful part of South Carolina.
1. Camp at Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Hickory Knob State Resort Park is located on the Savannah River and offers a variety of different accommodation options. The park features an on-site lodge, cabins, campground, pool, and community fire pit. There are also a few trails to explore like the Clark Hill Lakeview Trail which provides great views of the river.
One of the best things to do while visiting Hickory Knob State Resort Park is to explore the water. You can bring your boat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. There are also canoe and kayak rentals that are available daily.
Another great way to experience the water without going out onto it is to enjoy a sunrise or sunset at one of the few docks at the park. I spent a sunrise at the dock with my tea and puffer blanket. It was the perfect way to start the day.
I also spent one evening watching the sunset and reading my book at a picnic table on the water. Just remember to bring some bug spray!
Hickory Knob State Resort Park also has a golf course which was a surprise for me! I had never been in the area and I was very impressed by the course itself and the accessibility.
One thing to note while you’re there is that there are a lot of deer! I’m pretty sure I saw at least 5-10 deer a day so please be careful while you’re driving.
2. Camp at Baker Creek State Park
Baker Creek State Park is literally minutes from Hickory Knob State Resort Park. The best part about the Old 96 District is everything is reasonably close together! I loved the ability to hop over to Baker Creek for a quick picnic.
Just like Hickory Knob State Resort Park, Baker Creek has great camping options. The park boasts 34 campsites with easy access to Strom Thurmond Lake. If you love to paddle or be on the water, this is a great place to spend a weekend!
3. Explore the Savannah Valley Rail Trail
The Savannah Valley Rail Trail is a 9-mile long trail that was once an old railroad track. This trail is perfect for running, hiking, or mountain biking and it’s also dog friendly! There are multiple access points so you can hop on or off wherever you’d like.
The trail follows the course of the old railway and is mostly flat terrain, making it perfect for an easy day on the trails. I found that it was very quiet and peaceful.
The trail does have a 2-mile break along a paved road so if you are planning on doing the full out and back of 18 miles please be aware you will be spending some time on the road.
I did my long run while training for a marathon here and I thoroughly enjoyed the run. It was my first trail run and the trail didn’t have any big rocks or steep inclines to worry about. I used this map to figure out my course and understand all the different access points.
My favorite access point is along State Rd S-33-7. I recommend parking at this spot and heading Northwest (a.k.a don’t cross the road).
Going this way avoids any time on the road and is still a good 3-4 miles roundtrip. This route also features the wooden bridge called Mill Creek Trestle pictured in the photo above!
4. Spend a Day at Calhoun Falls State Park
If you’re looking for an easy fun thing to do in the Old 96 District, look no further. Calhoun Falls State Park is an ideal spot for a day trip if you’re looking to cool off in the summer months.
Things to do here include swimming at the beach, picnicking, fishing, boating, and hiking on Cedar Bluff Nature Trail.
Tennis courts are also available for use. There’s an admission fee of $3 per adult and $1 per child. And, for the dog-lovers out there, this park is also dog friendly!
If you’re looking for a longer stay, tent and RV camping are available if you’d like to spend more time here.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading in my hammock near one of the day-use beach areas. The facilities are well kept and it’s an awesome place to enjoy a hot summer day.
5. Check out Blue Hole Recreation Area
Blue Hole Recreation Area is just minutes away from Calhoun Falls State Park. It’s a great place to have a picnic and spend some time outdoors. Best of all, there’s no day fee so you can come and go as you please.
This area has several swimming spots, and it also features a dock that juts out into the lake perfect for fishing. I saw numerous people putting their boats in as well for some time on the water.
There are several picnic tables and grills which makes it great for spending time with family or friends. This spot is also dog friendly so feel free to bring your furry friend along!
I felt like there was plenty of parking but on a hot day, it may fill up quickly so make sure to plan accordingly!
6. Stroll the Streets of Downtown Abbeville, SC
If you’re looking for a great way to spend time outside that’s a little less active, then head over to downtown Abbeville, SC. This charming small town is filled with unique shops and restaurants where you can find everything from locally-made items to vintage goods.
Start your stroll at Indigenous Underground, which features amazing southern cuisine crafted by local Chef Erica. All the menu items are created with fresh local ingredients from South Carolina certified farms.
For plant lovers, check out Divine Your Space right across from Indigenous Underground. They have an impressive assortment of plants.
Additionally, they sell an array of craft beer and wine. I picked up a four-pack of local beer here to enjoy when I got home from my trip.
Pop into Daily Bread Bakery for a sweet treat. They have amazing cinnamon rolls and other baked goods as well as coffee and tea. The cinnamon roll I got from here legitimately changed my life.
Crate & Quill is right next door to Daily Bread and is the perfect stop if you’re looking for vintage finds or handmade gifts. This shop has so many great gems. If I owned a house and was looking for something unique for the space this would be the place to find it!
Finally, stop into Main Street Coffee Co. for your caffeine fix. They have a great selection of coffees, teas, delicious pastries, and sandwiches. I picked up a chai latte here and it was amazing!
7. Explore Lake Greenwood State Park
Lake Greenwood State Park is a great spot to get away from it all and explore. The park is located about 20 minutes from Greenwood, SC near Ninety Six, SC.
The first thing you’ll want to check out here is the Scenic Shoreline Trail. This 4.2-mile loop offers great views of the lake and is very kid friendly.
If you’re looking for a place to just relax, set out a blanket in the day-use area and read a book or have a picnic.
The park also offers great fishing opportunities and participates in the Tackle Loaner Program so you do not need to own fishing gear to fish at Lake Greenwood. You can also go boating on the lake, with a boat ramp available for launching.
If you’d rather stay on land, there are many spots for swimming as well as two playgrounds for kids of all ages.
For those looking to stay longer, there’s a campground with 125 sites complete with electric and water hookups as well as free Wi-Fi! This is by far the largest campground of the ones listed in this post and allows for 14 consecutive nights during the summer months.
8. Check out the Palmetto Trail
The Enoree Passage section of the Palmetto Trail is a great way to explore the outdoors in the Old 96 District. This trail is 36 miles long, runs through Sumter National Forest in Laurens County, and is moderately easy to complete.
The terrain is good for biking or hiking, complete with wildlife like deer, wild turkey, and many bird species.
The best part of this trail is its easy access off of I26 – you can park at the trailhead and away you go! Dogs are allowed on the trail so if you have one, bring them along.
There is no fee for using this section of the Palmetto Trail unless you park at the Buncombe Parking Area which requires a $3 Fee.
Conclusion: Outdoor Things to Do in the Old 96 District
The Old 96 District is a great place to get away to enjoy the outdoors! Whether it’s camping on the water, exploring the state parks, or hiking the local trails, there’s something for everyone.