ACE Basin: Honorable Mentions

I don't often blog about Carolina destinations we missed during an excursion, but since I hoped to provide a good overview of the ACE Basin, I can't put off these locations until later.

Edisto Beach

Located on the southern tip of Edisto Island, Edisto Beach, is, as their website says, "one of the few uncommercialized, family-oriented beaches left." During all-to-brief visits in past years, we spotted few restaurants and hotels. Lodging is in the form of rentals: condos, townhomes, and beach homes. The tourist for the island, not the island for the tourist.

So why go? It's beautiful, isolated, and it's the home of....

Edisto Beach State Park

Our goal is to rent one of the cabins at Edisto Beach State Park and explore the trails by foot or bike, spend hours on the beach, and search the shore for sharks teeth.

Colleton State Park

Just north of Walterboro, Colleton State Park offers a nature trail, picnic grounds, ballpark, and, according to the SC Park's website, ideal paddling opportunities. See their website for more information.

Givhans Ferry State Park

According to the SC Park's website, Givhans Ferry "boasts a well-regarded mountain bike trail, shady campgrounds and well-kept, rustic cabins that offer a peaceful stay in the rural Lowcountry woods...The park is part of the 56-mile long Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail, and is at the end of a popular 21-mile downstream paddle from Colleton State Park. Givhans Ferry State Park is also known for its limestone river bluff and sinkholes."

See their website for more information.

Old Sheldon Church Ruins

Though it suffered damage during the Revolutionary War and the War Between the States, the hauntingly beautiful remains of Sheldon Church still stand near Yemassee. Click here to see photos and to read about the church's tragic history.

We traveled to the ACE Basin to learn more about the area. While I walked away without knowledge of its estuaries and vital importance, I did learn the Basin has much to offer in terms of outdoor activities. I hope to spend more time there in the future.