The Piedmont of South Carolina harbors a hidden gem known as Forty Acre Rock. At 14 acres in mass, this large slab of granite has withered and worn down into what could be imagined as a much hardened version of the surface of the moon. Pits, valleys, and even small fissures flank the surface of this enormous perch. But it’s the large scoops in the surface that form pools that turn heads. Where did they come from, these pools? Let’s take a closer look at Forty Acre Rock in South Carolina and discover everything that makes this a special place to visit.

Forty Acre Rock rises 568 feet above sea level. For the Piedmont, this is average. But the views here, especially in the winter, will make you feel like you can see forever.
Google/Gregory Duckworth II
The expansive surface can take hours to explore. In comparison, the rock's 14 acres are just about equal in size to 10 football fields. Imagine how long it would take to explore 10 fields ‐ and then add...
AllTrails/Jay Moore
Pool after springtime pool of colorful sprites that grow on top of Forty Acre Rock each year.
Shilpa Harolikar / Moment Open Collection via Getty Images
The rock's surface is covered with vernal pools that are striking in appearance and baffling as to their origin.
Tony Arruza / Corbis Documentary Collection via Getty Images
Of course, it stands to reason that millions of years of erosion have carved the scoops into the rock's surface, but it's still baffling in the most beautiful of ways.

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Also baffling are the scores of plants found here that shouldn't be. Plants that shouldn't survive the dry, barren soil-free environment found atop the huge slab of granite.
TripAdvisor/David L
Among them, the rare pool sprites that grow each spring along with trees that find a way to root without soil.
Altogether, Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve encompasses 2,945 acres and several hiking trails.
Google/Brooks Grossman
It also features footbridges on the trails, streams, waterfalls, and even a cave found within the front edge of the huge rock.
The best time to visit is in the spring if you want to see the colorful pool sprites before the pools dry up for the season. Forty Acre Rock is managed by SCDNR and is open during daylight hours.
AllTrails/Ed Wilmot
Admission is free. If you visit, please remember to Leave No Trace. We want to keep this South Carolina treasure in pristine condition for generations to come.
Google Maps [enhanced with state border]

Have you already visited Forty Acre Rock in South Carolina? Do tell! We’d love to hear your feedback.

For more information about one of the hiking trails at Forty Acre Rock, read: This 1.7-Mile Hike In South Carolina Is Full Of Jaw-Dropping Natural Pools. And to visit another park that features a gigantic rock, read: Hike Straight Through A Giant Rock Formation At Hanging Rock Battleground In South Carolina.

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Featured Addresses
40 Acre Rock Heritage Preserve, 2207 Conservancy Rd, Kershaw, SC 29067, USA