Hiding along the Savannah River near the town of Jackson in Aiken County is a 4,200-acre wildlife sanctuary that’s perfect for a day trip. Here, you’ll find a peaceful wooded preserve, 100 acres of grasslands, and 50 acres of lakes and ponds. The Silver Bluff Center and Sanctuary is owned by Audubon which allows access to the property to the public for free (donations are accepted, of course).
In addition to the pine and bottomland hardwood forests along the Savannah River, the sanctuary boasts 22 miles of trails ideal for walking or riding.
In fact, some annual events, like this one where many antique carriages pulled by full teams ride the trails at the sanctuary, are quite worth simply being a spectator.
History abounds on this quiet slice of paradise. Archaeologists have traced findings back to the 1540s all the way through to when a former South Carolina Governor, James A. Hammond, owned the property in the 1800s.
It's located at 4542 Silver Bluff Road near Jackson, SC. Please note that your GPS will indicate you've arrived when you reach the point where the road transitions from paved to clay/sand. Keep driving for an additional mile to reach the entrance.
Learn more from the official Audubon website. Have you ever been to this Audubon property and did you know it’s free? We’d love to know if this is something you’re interested in checking out!