Have a few troubles weighing heavy on your mind? Soothe your soul by embarking on one of the best hikes in South Carolina that includes three miles of beautiful hiking paths, scenic water views, and oh yeah… a wishing tree, so you can stop and leave an earthly token before making a wish along this South Carolina loop trail. If you’ve never explored the Vereen Memorial Gardens trails in Little River, South Carolina, then you’ve been missing out.

The waterside gardens include 115 acres of forest and marsh that extend from Highway 17 near Little River all the way to the Intracoastal Waterway.
TripAdvisor/Linda D
It's easily one of the best places hiking trails in South Carolina for getting out into nature.
Found at the far end of the loop trail, the Intracoastal Waterway is the halfway point for this 2.4-mile hike. The banks of the waterway here are covered in old oyster shells, perfectly bleached by the sun. Grab one before you make the turn back to the start of the trail.
TripAdvisor/Fletcher F
Throughout this South Carolina loop trail, visitors will enjoy both panoramic marsh and water views as well as a lowland forest.
alltrails/Clint Shaw
Wildflowers galore are scattered along the floor of the forest and along the edges of the sandy trail during the spring season in South Carolina. And there are also a few unexpected surprises along the way.
alltrails/Clint Shaw
A random head cast, for instance, is affixed to one tree giving the appearance that two limbs could perhaps be the arms, perhaps welcoming hikers with outstretched open arms?

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Further along, a section of the forest has been converted into a wishing tree shrine. A sign hangs inviting guests to make a wish and hang an oyster to propel that wish forward.
Google Local/JW Pence
Whether or not you believe you can make your cares go away by merely wishing it so doesn't matter. It's the intention that counts. Putting that thought out there is all you need to set your own actions in a positive direction to bring about change.
TripAdvisor/Tim And April W
Oh, and you'll also be doing yourself a solid favor if, when you're over on the Intracoastal Waterway looking for a perfect shell for the Wishing Tree, you pick one with a hole in it.
TripAdvisor/Beejoy1747
(Lest your one earthly token attached to your wish actually goes tumbling down to the ground because it didn't have a hole... )
Plan to carve out plenty of time for some contemplation and the chance for renewal as you reconnect with many of nature's best elements on this short little hike, one of the best spring hikes in South Carolina but truly beautiful any time of the year. Most people can finish the trip in 2-3 hours.
Michele Kane/Google Reviews
Be sure to bring plenty of drinking water, especially on a hot day.
alltrails.com

Do you believe at least some wishes come true? Maybe it’s time to pay a visit to the oyster shell wishing tree along one of the best hikes in South Carolina! Vereen Memorial Gardens is open daily for hiking in South Carolina. Learn more from the official Facebook page of Horry County Parks and Recreation. If you’d like more information about the Vereen Memorial Gardens trails, consult our friends at AllTrails. Don’t forget to sign up for AllTrails+ to enjoy perks such as offline map access, alerts for wrong turns, and more.

Less than an hour from Little River is the small town of Conway, which offers a scenic river walk, beautiful murals, and so much more. Discover its many charms in this video by us at OnlyInYourState:

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More to Explore

Vereen Memorial Gardens Trails In South Carolina & Related Info

Katie Lawrence | July 25, 2023

Which hikes in South Carolina are short and sweet?

If, like me, you prefer hikes that are short and sweet, you'll love these easy hikes in South Carolina:

This lovely little hike is just 1.5 miles each way and leads to a breathtaking, multi-tiered waterfall. There are a few hill climbs along the trail, but nothing too tricky (even for beginners).

A roughly two-mile loop, the Sandhills Hiking Trail skirts around a beautiful lake and features wooden boardwalks and a waterfall.

Fun for history buffs of all ages, this 1.5-mile hike meanders through a Revolutionary War-Era farm with replica buildings such as a blacksmith shop, a barn, and more.

What are the best waterfall hikes in South Carolina?

The best waterfall hikes in South Carolina include:

Leading to a secluded beach at the base of a waterfall, this 1.9-mile (round trip) hike is pure magic. It's a great trail to embark on year-round - even if it's too cool to swim!

All that stands between you and this 100-foot-tall waterfall is a short, sweet, .3-mile walk. The easy trail leads to an observation deck that's easily one of the best scenic overlooks in the state.

Rainbow Falls is the tallest waterfall in South Carolina, towering at an impressive height of 10 stories. The 2.5-mile (each way) trail to get there requires some stamina, but the views are totally worth the effort.

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2250 SC-179, Little River, SC 29566, USA