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.
Google Maps/Shawn S
The natural impressions in the rock form pools of water that can be found throughout the year, especially in the rainy seasons.
Google Maps/Jim L.
And within those pools grows a rare pool Sprite that can only be found in South Carolina at Forty Acre Rock.
alltrails/Gina Fraser

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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.
Google Maps/Chase Gainey
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.
alltrails/Michel(Mischa) Schneider
The hike through Forty Acre Rock can be accomplished in under two hours. The total elevation gain is a modest 187 feet, according to AllTrails.
alltrails/James Wilson
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.
Google Maps/kevinroland80

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