Set against the calm, winding South Edisto River, Aiken State Natural Area is a popular destination for the family or a budding naturalist.

The beautiful park in rural Aiken County offers canoeing in the river, peaceful picnicking, fishing in the river and the park’s spring-fed lakes, campground and trailside camping and hiking trails.

The 1,000-acre site is uniquely diverse, combining a blackwater river and swamp, bottomland forest and dry sandhill pine forest.

Aiken State Natural Area also has its place in history. It was built during the Great Depression by an African American detachment of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Interpretive signage tells their story and their work can still be seen in some of the park’s original structures and features.