During these hard times, it’s good to get outside to get some fresh air - or hot and humid air this time of the year.

Thankfully, the governor’s home or work order allows you to still get outside for exercise and recreation purposes.

While South Carolina’s huge network of state parks, Town of Lexington Parks, Congaree National Park, and many others are closed, there are still many places to go outdoors.

Local landmark Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve in Edmund is still open.

The Preserve offers 8 miles of easy to moderate hiking and sights like Peachtree Rock, a 15-foot waterfall, and Little Peachtree Rock.

Learn more at https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/peachtree-rock-heritage-preserve.

Most of the State’s DNR/Heritage Preserve Properties remain open. This include Shealy’s Pond HP in Red Bank and Congaree Creek HP in Cayce, both offer easy hiking. A full list of SCDNR’s public land is available at https://www2.dnr.sc.gov/ManagedLands (note some land is closed due to covid-19.)

Mountain Bikers and Hikers alike can still enjoy the extensive trail system at Harbison State Forest in Irmo. Learn more here at https://www.state.sc.us/forest/refharb.htm.

The Cayce, Canal, and Saluda Riverwalks are also still open, offering a perfect getaway along the regions scenic rivers on a ADA-accessible path.

Most of the Palmetto Trail, South Carolina’s crossstate trail system, is still open too. The nearby 12-mile Peak to Prosperity Passage is still open.

The trail follows an old railroad bed through the rolling hills of the Dutch Fork area before crossing the Broad River on a spectacular 1,100 foot refurbished train trestle.

Learn more at https://palmettoconservation.org/passage/peak-to-prosperitypassage/.

More of my local favorites, the Wateree and Enoree Passages are also open to hikers and bikers.

While all these great trails are still open, know that many facilities including restrooms and offices are closed to the public and that all the information here is subject to change.

If you do decide to go take advantage of the open trails, PLEASE follow CDC guidelines and stay 6 feet apart while passing people, don’t litter and know that many trash cans are not being emptied right now, and respect all closures. All it takes is one bad apple to close the trails.

For further information or questions don’t hesitate to email me at cole.lexchron@gmail.com .