There’s no doubt South Carolina is a beautiful state. It has plenty of nature to explore from the mountains to the sea. 

One local organization focuses on the seven wonders of the state. Its goal is to get more people outdoors to enjoy health and fitness activities. 

The South Carolina 7 (SC7) hopes more South Carolinians will savor, care for and protect our outdoor resources. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is a proud sponsor of the effort. 

Visiting the seven wonders of South Carolina can be a great way to see the state. They include gorges, mountains, rivers and parks. Get outside this year to see more of what South Carolina has to offer. 

Sassafras Mountain 

Sassafras is the highest point in South Carolina at 3,553 feet. It is in Pickens County. From the observation tower, you can get incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

The Foothills Trail includes a Sassafras Mountain hiking trail. The trail is an easy 2.1 miles. 

Jocassee Gorges

The Jocassee Gorges in Sunset, South Carolina, offers great views of waterfalls. At Devils Fork State Park, you can rent kayaks, canoes or paddleboards to see the view from the water on Lake Jocassee. 

You can hike one of many trails in the area. The Oconee Bell Nature Trail is a flat, one-mile loop in the state park. There is plenty to see and do around Jocassee. 

Chattooga River

The Chattooga River is a world-class whitewater river. It offers prime boating and fishing. 

If you aren’t up for a whitewater experience, you can hike one of the area’s trails or paddle peacefully around Lake Tugaloo. 

Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park near Columbia is the state’s only national park. You can take a stroll around the park’s boardwalk trail or paddle down Cedar Creek. Any exploration of the park will offer views of the one of the oldest and tallest forests east of the Mississippi.  

Edisto River

The Edisto River passes through 11 counties. It is one of the longest free-flowing blackwater rivers in North America. You can explore the river by boat or camp nearby in a treehouse. A two-mile stretch of the river from Givhans Ferry State Park to Ridgeland, South Carolina, offers the perfect spot for tubing. 

Ace Basin

The Ace Basin is located between Hilton Head and Charleston, South Carolina. It offers more than 215,000 acres of protected habitat. The basin includes hardwood uplands, forested wetlands, tidal marshes and creeks, barrier islands, and beaches. 

Go bird watching in the basin. Take a bike for a spin on one of the trails. Pick up a paddle to explore the water. Or spend a day at the beach at Edisto Beach State Park. 

Bulls Island

Bulls Island is one of the state’s most remote places. It is located off the coast of Charleston. It is the largest of four barrier islands in the area. The 6.5-mile uninhabited island remains mostly untouched.

It is a great place to explore the natural world. The island is known for its bird watching. 

Adventure Challenge

This July, you can hike virtually across the state to highlight the state’s seven wonders with the SC7 Fitness challenge. The SC7 team will hike for 30 days from the mountains to the sea. But anyone can register and start walking nearby. 

You can also join public events across the state. Find more information on the group’s website.

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