Eco-Tourism in Summerville 

Interested in Ecotourism? Here are 6 Summerville Sites Not to Miss

Famous for its flowers, but to the nature lover Summerville is about much more. With paddling routes that traverse smooth black water and hiking trails teeming with native plants and animals, Summerville is also an ecotourism dream.

With mild winter temperatures and summer conditions often more tolerable than those found in Charleston, the reason so many of the Lowcountry’s elite made Summerville their home in Colonial days, the opportunity for exploration exists year-round. So grab your rucksack, hiking shoes, or paddle, and consider these six Summerville destinations when planning your next ecotourism trip.

1. Ashley River

Summerville’s defining natural feature winds through the outskirts of town, supporting a diverse ecosystem because of its tidal nature and the mixing of both saltwater and freshwater. Designated a State Scenic River in the 1990s, it’s a jewel of the South’s river system for its abundance of blackwater cypress and the feeling of timeless solitude it offers paddlers.

Three miles of the waterway’s upper reaches are known as the Ashley River Heritage Trail, given that several shipwrecks and architectural remains from the early 18th century are visible at low tide. Just south of Summerville, the river offers a unique view of the plantations that draw thousands of visitors each year.

Summerville offers easy access to the Ashley via landings including Jessens Boat Landing and the Howard Bridgman River Access at Bacons Bridge, a carry-down facility at 200 Renken Road that’s ideal for kayaks and canoes and features overhanging limbs and a twisting channel immediately upstream or downstream of the access point. Bonus? Between those two points of entry is Colonial Dorchester.

2. Givhans Ferry State Park

Just west of Summerville on the Edisto River, Givhans Ferry State Park offers paddlers a 21-mile blackwater trail ending at Colleton State Park. The river also offers visitors swimming and fishing opportunities, while the state park provides camping facilities with water and electrical hookups. Don’t miss Edisto River Adventures offering the only float trip available in the Lowcountry.

Bird watchers can catch glimpses of the many species that call the banks of the Edisto home, while hikers and mountain bikers can enjoy the moderately strenuous 1.5-mile River Bluff Trail. Givhans Ferry State Park is located just 16 miles from downtown Summerville, so non-campers can enjoy the town’s many lodging and dining opportunities before setting off in the morning.

3. Sawmill Branch Walk/Bike Trail

Hikers and bicyclists don’t have to venture very far from downtown to find the Sawmill Branch Walk/Bike Trail, a paved, 6.5-mile greenway starting at Gahagan Road and ending at Cross Creek Drive. Running alongside the Sawmill Branch Canal, the trail travels through the heart of Summerville while still feeling many miles away — as the birds, turtles, and perhaps even deer along the route will attest.

The trail travels under most major roadways, making for a safe and mostly uninterrupted journey. Buffers of trees separate the trail from adjacent neighborhoods, adding to the sense of solitude. Operated by the town of Summerville, parking is available at several areas along the route.

3. Historic Home Walking Tour

Summerville boasts a scenic self-guided walking tour of historic homes starting at Azalea Park and winding through its downtown streets. Summerville’s Walking Tour of Homes and Flowers offers a glimpse into homes tapped by the National Register of Historic Places as worthy of preservation.

What to expect? Participants should prepare for about an hour of moderate walking. Please note, sidewalks are not always available. Be mindful of vehicular traffic for safety.

5. Jessen Landing

Mentioned above, this public landing on the Ashley River provides a boat ramp, docks, fishing pier, boardwalk and plenty of parking. It’s conveniently at the end of Ladson Road just off Dorchester Road. A new kayak launch was added in the spring of 2019 making exploration and accessibility easy.

Two parts of it that run through Dorchester and Charleston Counties were designated a State Scenic River — one in 1998 and the other in 1999. 26 separate sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places adorn its banks, including Drayton Hall, Middleton Place, and Fort Dorchester.

6. Azalea Park

A visit to Summerville wouldn’t be complete with flowers, right? In a residential area very close to Summerville’s business district, Azalea Park is a landscaped garden that bursts with color each spring. Pathways wind throughout the 12-acre tract, which also features gazebos, bronze sculptures, an amphitheater, reflecting ponds and lots of shade.

Bustling with azaleas and camellias, few places in Summerville are more emblematic of Flowertown’s nickname. As host to annual special events such as the Flowertown Festival and Sculpture in the South, the park is also beloved by locals. Azalea Park is used for weddings, festivals, special events — or just a relaxing walk past the ponds, creeks, bushes and flowers.

Interested in more of what Summerville offers a visitor attracted to ecotourism? Stop by the Summerville Visitor Center at 402 North Main St., contact them at (843) 873-8535, or visit their website at VisitSummerville.com.