By Lisa Sokolowski, founder/blogger, DrugstoreDivas.net
If we’re being honest with ourselves, we spend way too much time behind screens. We’re endlessly scrolling social media or zoning out in front of the television after dinner.
But it doesn’t have to be like that, especially if you’re visiting the Old 96 District. There is so much fun to be found outdoors.
So pack your sneakers, grab your reusable water bottle, and let’s get outside.
Quick note: The Old 96 is comprised of five counties, which is a lot to try to do all at once. The most I’ve explored in one day is three. So, this itinerary is going to let you take your time. We’re going to spread it out over four days to give your feet and fitness tracker a little break.
Day 1: McCormick County
McCormick County is the second smallest county in South Carolina, but it boasts three state parks including the only South Carolina State Park that’s also a resort.
Baker Creek State Park and Hickory Knob State Resort Park are very close to each other, so you can do both in the same day, filling the day with a bike trail, kayaking, archery, swimming, golf… and more.
Baker Creek State Park is definitely for people who love the outdoors and exploring it – not on their feet.
There’s the Lyreleaf Sage Bike Trail, a 10 mile loop that takes you through oak and pine woodlands. It’s a mountain bike trail, so keep that in mind before you embark.
If you have energy after that, grab your kayak. A one-mile paddle in the park takes you to an estuary where you can see turtles, osprey, and more animals.
The park has a nature trail as well, although double check that it’s open before adding it your day. It does close often due to flooding.
Hickory Knob State Resort Park
(6.7 miles from Baker Creek State Park)
Hickory Knob State Resort Park is such a good park for exploring the outdoors. Yes, there are three hiking trails (Stevens Creek Trail, Lakeview Trail, and Beaver Run Trail), but there’s so much more to do at the park.
The park has a ton of outdoor activities that you might not expect, like axe throwing, archery, and skeet shooting. You do have to reserve those ahead of time, so hopefully you’re good at pre-planning.
If you’re not, there are some things you can rent on a first come, first come basis to do outdoors: canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. There’s also a tackle rental program so you can go fishing.
And then, there’s a swimming pool for overnight guests, plus a playground with basketball and volleyball courts, a horseshoe pit, ladder ball, and more.
And, because that’s not enough, there’s also an 18-hole championship golf course at the park.
Of course, the park also has the standard bike and hiking trails too. So, you have so many choices of outdoor activities here, regardless of what you’re into.
We recommend that you stay here for the night so that you can take advantage of all the outdoor activities, like swimming, which require you to be a guest.
Also check out:
Hamilton Branch State Park in Plum Branch. (22.3 miles from Hickory Knob State Resort Park). It has one hiking trail and not many other outdoor amenities, so it’s nice to stop if you have time.
Day 2: Greenwood County
We’re departing McCormick County today and heading over to Greenwood County for a day filled with goats, peacocks, and a hike.
(36 miles from Hickory Knob State Resort Park)
Emerald Farm is a working dairy farm in Greenwood that’s open to visitors.
You can walk around the property and see peacocks and goats. If it’s hot out, the goats are a little shy and will hide in their homes, but you can still see them. The peacocks roam the farm regardless of the weather.
If you have time (and really, you should make the time), there’s a train ride (for a nominal fee) that will take you around part of the 75-acre farm, through tunnels and into the woods. It’s a great way to be outdoors without having to exert any energy.
While you’re there, be sure to pick up some of the Emerald Farm goat milk soap and body products. The soap is shaped in really fun shapes, like trees for Christmas and the actual state of South Carolina.
(11.9 miles from Emerald Farm)
If you didn’t have enough of state parks yesterday, head over to Lake Greenwood State Park in Ninety Six.
There’s a really nice fishing pier in the park is handicapped accessible, in case that’s something you need. There’s a playground, swimming in the lake, and kayaking on the lake too (so watch out for kayaks if you’re swimming and watch out for swimmers if you’re kayaking).
The park also has a couple nice hiking trails that take you along the water. It’s a beautiful view.
And, not outdoors, but if you need a little break from the sun, the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum inside the park’s visitor’s center is really educational and worth checking out. And, if you can pick up the Lake Greenwood hot sauce in the gift shop, it’s very good.
Ninety Six National Historic Site
(7.3 miles from Lake Greenwood State Park)
So far, everything we’ve suggested has been pretty typical outdoorsy and fun ideas. But they haven’t really been educational or specific to the area.
That’s about to change.
The Old 96 has a huge part in the American Revolution. You can learn about it at the Ninety Six National Historic Site. It’s home to a one-mile interpretive trail (that’s outdoors, sticking with our theme) that brings you to Star Fort.
Fast fact: Ninety Six was the site of the Revolution War’s first land battle in the South.
The trails to get to the fort are pretty easy and the interpretive trail is really interesting and informative, so you’ll spend about an hour walking and learning.
If you have extra time and energy, you can also check out the Cherokee Path Trail at the park, which is a 1.5-mile one way path (which means 3 miles total) from the visitor’s center to the Star Fort Pond. None of the historical markers are on this path, so it’s okay to skip it if you need rest.
Also check out:
If you’re in the area in June or July, there’s the South Carolina Festival of Flowers and the SC Festival of Discovery. Both festivals are mostly outdoors in the center of Greenwood.
The Festival of Flowers boasts over 40 phenomenal topiaries, many of which are still displayed throughout the town after the festival. So, if you head to downtown Greenwood for a meal or to sleep, definitely add walking around downtown and checking out the topiaries to your list.
Day 3: Abbeville & Edgefield Counties
(22.2 miles from Ninety Six)
There are already a couple state parks on this list, so you’re able to fill your passport up with stamps in this area.
Calhoun Falls State Park’s in Calhoun Falls claim to fame is that it sits on Lake Russell. There’s boating access and fishing available at the park, plus swimming, a playground, tennis courts, and one hiking trail (Cedar Bluff Nature Trail, a 1.75-mile moderate hike).
Parsons Mountain Recreation Area
(19.1 miles from Calhoun Falls State Park)
If none of the hikes so far have really pushed you, Parsons Mountain Recreation Area in Abbeville is for you. The park has a moderately difficult four-mile loop trail and an 800-foot summit. You can actually summit the mountain (which is technically a monadnock), if you want.
Downtown Abbeville
(7.2 miles from Parsons Mountain)
If the above two options in Abbeville feel like a little too much of the first two days, just head to downtown Abbeville. The town square area is adorable with streets filled with fun shops and good food.
We highly suggest grabbing a hot dog or ice cream (or both) from The Rough House, an Abbeville staple since 1932.
Edgefield County
(42.5 miles from Abbeville)
You have two different outdoor options in Edgefield, depending on what you’re into.
Palmetto Shooting Complex is a 300-acre shooting facility with five trap and skeet overlays, two sporting clays courses, and archery.
That’s very different outdoor options than you’ve experienced in the area so far.
Of course, that isn’t for everyone. If it’s not for you, there are trails available, although they will be closed when shooting is in progress (and don’t worry, there will be signs designating this).
(3.1 miles from Palmetto Shooting Complex)
If you’d rather a short hike, the Ten Governors Trail is for you. Edgewater is famous because 10 of South Carolina’s governors are from there and the town honors them on a quick .9-mile hike along Slade Lake.
What’s fun about this trail is that every 0.1 miles, there’s a marker for another governor. So you can take a quick break and learn about each one.
Day Four: Laurens County
(64.7 miles from Ten Governors Trail)
Battle Of Musgrove Mill Historic Site
The Battle Of Musgrove Mill Historic Site is a really interesting park. It has two trails (the British Camp Trail and the Battlefield Trail) with interpretative signage about the Revolutionary War battle fought at the area.
But, I’ll let you in on a little secret. There’s a waterfall within the park. It’s easy to access by a paved walking trail and you can actually swim right in it. However – and this is a big however – it’s at the very edge of the park which actually puts you into Spartanburg County. So, you can visit it (and you should!), but that means your time in the outdoors in the Old 96 is officially over.
Lisa Sokolowski has spent a ton of time outdoors while visiting the Old 96 District.
When she’s not enjoying the outdoors, she’s inside blogging at Drugstore Divas, writing about frugal travel, recipes, crafts and more.
