I Was Pleasantly Surprised By This Scenic Trail in South Carolina

With 47 state parks in South Carolina, you can bet that you’re never too far away from one. While popular parks like Hunting Island, Table Rock, and Huntington Beach State Park are all worthy of a day trip, there’s something special about the smaller, less-visited state parks in South Carolina. Dreher Island State Park might not be the largest state park, but it sure is one of the most beautiful. There’s a lovely little trail here that might just be the most scenic trail in South Carolina. 

If I’m being honest, I prefer mountain trails over waterfront trails. I grew up in Louisiana, the land of bayous and swamps, so mountains will always excite me. That being said, I do love a good waterfront trail, and Dreher Island State Park has a good one!

Sitting pretty on the shores of Lake Murray, Dreher Island State Park is a 348-acre park that’s perfect for aquatic adventures. It’s only about 30 miles from Columbia, making it the perfect natural area to escape to when you need a break from city life. 

While fishing in Lake Murray is a main attraction of the park, I’ve never been great at it. I am really good at walking along the water’s edge and watching wildlife, though! Dreher Island State Park has three hiking trails, and I’d recommend the Little Gap Trail. The other two are more like nature paths; they are .02 and .05 miles long and much better for a kid-friendly stroll than a proper hike. 

The Little Gap Trail leads through the forest, making a loop at the end of the peninsula. It is 2.2 miles long and clocks in at 2.2 miles. It’s an easy trail as far as South Carolina hiking trails go, though the area is still recovering from storms, so there may be some fallen trees in your way. Nothing too crazy, just a little speed bump to make sure you’re paying attention, right? You should be able to go around/over them pretty easily.

Sometime in the last decade, I became a birdwatcher. I think that’s the telltale sign of age. I’m not mad about it, but it crept up on me faster than I thought. Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised with the birdwatching along this trail. There are a few bald eagles that have a nest along the lake, and you might get lucky and catch a glimpse of one swooping down for a snack. I wasn’t as lucky, but I did have a symphony of songbirds above me, which provided a Disney-esque soundtrack to my adventure. Speaking of birdwatching, the purple martins can be viewed from Bomb Island (only accessible by boat from Dreher Island) from June through Late August. 

Other wildlife in the area includes deer, turtles, snakes, and armadillos. Deer are pretty common, so keep your eyes peeled as you’re wandering through the forest, and you might catch a family of deer making their way through the trees. 

Overall, this is an easy and scenic hike that’s perfect for a solo adventure or a family affair. Depending on the season, I’d recommend bug spray. You can swim in the lake, but there are no designated swimming areas within the park, so swimming is at your own risk. 

If you want to turn your day trip into an overnight expedition, there are plenty of ways to stay the night. Visit the Dreher Island State Park for more information.