South Carolina, located in the southeastern U.S., is dominated by hundreds of sea islands off the coast, the Atlantic Coastal Plain that stretches island, hilly forested terrain in the center of the state, and the Blue Ridge Mountains that stretch across northwestern South Carolina.
South Carolina is home to Congaree National Park, where hikers and backpackers can disappear among the bald cypress and tupelo trees of this jungly park.
The editors at Backpacker have created an extensive collection of popular trails and trips for hiking and backpacking South Carolina.
Pack your tent when you hit the beach in these 8 destinations.
These ten point-to-point treks pack the payoffs of a thru-hike, but they're hikeable in a week.
Grab a site in the dunes and go camping with the palm trees and the sea turtles.
With its mixed hardwood forests, the east coast has some of the country's best fall leaves. See them before they're gone on these six hikes.
It's hard to find an ugly spot in the national parks. But these eight hikes take it to the next level, with gorgeous scenery and wildlife. Go for a walk.
Let the hordes crowd the Appalachians up north.
Kayak where land, sea, and river converge, then camp on a beach and take to a wildlife refuge on foot on this multiway paddling trip to Capers and Bulls Islands. BY DAVID KUCZKIR
Enter the South Carolina Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win Editor’s Choice Gear!
Bush whack through the jungles of Congaree National Park, SC, to find the River Trail, then find sanctuary on one of the secluded beaches.
This 9.8-mile out-and-back strolls through sandy pine and oak forest, and across tidal creeks to stunning coastal views in Francis Marion National Forest.
This is literally one for the birds. Take a hike along a waterfowl-rich marsh on this 8-miler through Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.
This leisurely 8.2-mile out-and-back meanders through the low-country forests and cypress swamps of Francis Marion National Forest.
This 7.7-mile lollipop loop through the Mountain Bridge Wilderness leads to Raven Cliff Falls, arguably South Carolina's most famous waterfall.
Tag the two highest peaks in South Carolina on this 17.2-mile out-and-back with overlooks, waterfalls, and a homestead crumbled by weather and time.
Wander among the big trees and rocky ridges of the Old South's Sumter National Forest.
Walk the wilderness that bridges North and South Carolina on a 33-mile shuttle hike that samples lush riverside trail and ridgetop views.
Notch unrivaled vistas of South Carolina's Piedmont region from one of the state's most revealing vantage points on this 7-mile out-and-back to the iconic Table Rock Mountain.
Link waterfalls, rushing creeks, and a refreshing swimming hole on this 14.6-miler in Jocassee Gorges.
Spy diverse swamp wildlife in one of the newest national parks.
Tromp through a Florida cypress swamp, find solitude on a Catskills peak, look for rare Carolina blooms, plus 9 more.
Your region's go-now guide: Visit a new hikers' hostel connected to 50 miles of trail in Maine's Bigelow Mountains, see the rare Oconee bell in South Carolina's Jocassee Gorges area, explore the world's longest mapped cave system near Louisville, and more.
Check out the River Trail in South Carolina, the Florida Trail, or a loop in Mississippi and Virginia.
See Shenandoah's tallest waterfall, traverse secluded ridgelines, score cliff-top panoramas, swim beneath falls, and walk through wildflowers and oak stands on the Florida Trail.