There’s a paved trail in South Carolina that travels back in time to the Revolutionary War and while the Palmetto State has numerous sites from this war, this one contains the actual Star Fort, among other things, used during the war. You won’t need to be a historian to learn about or appreciate the past represented at Ninety Six National Historic Site in Ninety Six, South Carolina. The hike itself is a pleasant reconnect with nature. But the accompanying history lesson propels this family adventure into an important era in the history of our state and our country.
The Main Trail 96 Loop easily can be completed in under 45 minutes. It's only 1.2 miles in length, but it stretches back in time more than 200 years.
There are many ways to enjoy this National Historic Site, but we recommend that any first visit should begin with a hike on the Main Trail 96 Loop featured here.
It's paved throughout, making it accessible to anyone and a perfect hike for the whole family.
At the time of the Revolutionary War, the British Loyalists built Star Fort and an elaborate series of trenches leading up to the fort. The earthen fort had walls as thick as 15 feet at the base and was approximately 14 feet high.
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Today, visitors can view the original fort, which has sustained more than 200 years of erosion, but is still intact as it was during the American Revolution.
This is a huge artifact from the war and visitors are asked to avoid the urge to climb the walls into the structure.
The Main Trail 96 Loop also brings visitors over the dugout road used by the Continental Army (the Americans) as they made their approach to capture Star Fort.
It's called Island Ford Road and it runs nearby the Star Fort. It's easy to spot with trees on either side. Walking on Island Road likely means you're walking in the footsteps of both the Loyalists who defended Star Fort during the Revolution and Continental Army as they approached the fort their attempt to seize it.
The Stockade was built in 1781 and this reconstructed version is a great representation of the original which was built on the same site of a previous fort (Williamson's Fort) built in 1775.
It was used by the American forces and placed on a 20-foot mound of earth to position it to fire down into the Star Fort.
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Along the trail, a reconstructed rifle tower constructed in the middle of the night by the American forces is 20 feet shy of the actual height during the battle.
During the battle, the Continental Army (led by General Nathaniel Greene) constructed a 30-foot-tall rifle tower just like this one so they could aim down into Star Fort.
Also on this short trail which travels more than 200 years back in time, is an original log home that was moved from Greenwood, South Carolina, to the historic site.
It's representative of the backcountry dwellings that would have been found here in the Ninety-Six community during the war.
Once you’ve experienced this paved trail in South Carolina, step outside the loop to discover even more at Ninety Six National Historic Site, including a 27-acre lake with a boat launch for non-motorized vessels and a picnic table for a family outing.
Ninety Six National Historic Site is recommended for all South Carolinians to visit as least once. Have you ever explored this historic site?
