This 1.7-Mile Hike In South Carolina Is Full Of Jaw-Dropping Natural Pools
By Robin Jarvis|Published November 10, 2020
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Robin Jarvis
Author
Robin Jarvis began writing for OnlyInYourState.com in 2015 and quickly advanced to a Senior Editor role. She's currently the Brand Manager and has a Bachelor's degree from West Virginia University in Journalism with a minor in Marketing. Her career history includes long running appearances on radio and television. She also has served as publisher of Shades of Green Magazine and Design Lead on several print publications. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for more than three decades and currently resides in Charleston, SC. When she's not working, she loves playing guitar, painting, traveling, and spending time with family.
Contact: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com
If you only take one more hike in South Carolina this year, then make it the 1.7-mile loop trail that leads through the Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve near Kershaw. This moderately-paced hike plates up a buffet of beautiful sights, including lots of jaw-dropping natural pools.
The rock itself is somewhat falsely named, as it only encompasses 14 acres and not forty. However, it's still gargantuan for a rock and compares in size to more than 10 football fields pieced together.
The loop trail to the top of Forty Acre Rock begins at the lower parking area. It passes a waterfall, a water slide, a cave, and over a few footbridges as visitors make their way to the crest of the huge granite perch.
Within the preserve, a number of endangered plant and wildlife species can be found, including nodding trillium and the green violet, otherwise known as hybanthus.
The personal satisfaction you'll gain from the natural reflecting pools and from spotting cottontail rabbits, Prairie warblers, red-tail hawks, and more, though, will last a lifetime.
Learn more about Forty Acre Rock and the gorgeous natural pools found within the preserve by visiting the official website for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Get more information about the two trails that lead to the top of the rock (including the one mentioned here), from our friends at AllTrails.
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