Looking to get some fresh air on a peaceful stroll? Trying to find a fun, outdoor activity to stay healthy? No need to worry, both nature lovers and fitness enthusiasts can find plenty to do in Dorchester County's great outdoors!

Below are just a few of the recreational activities you can easily find in Dorchester County.

You can also find a list of recreational programs offered by Dorchester County Parks and Recreation by clicking the link here.

Hit the trails at the 70-acre Rosebrock Park, where pathways wind through bottomland forest and wetlands.

Or visit Givhans Ferry State Park and walk the River Bluff Trail for a scenic view of the Edisto River. You can also hike the Old Loop Trail and explore the various plants, landscapes and animal habitats.

Enjoy urban scenery more? Head for the 6-mile Sawmill Branch Trail that links Gahagan Park to the Oakbrook area which is home to Colonial Dorchester State Park and Jessen Boat Landing.

The Ashley River Blue Trail is easily accessed from our county walk-in kayak/canoe landing at Bacons Bridge, providing access to 30 miles of languid waters. The winding blue trail starts at Great Cypress Swamp and ends at Charles Town Landing, down Charleston way.  

And don’t miss the Edisto River Canoe and Kayak (ERCK) Trail, a 62-mile section located in the heart of one of the longest free-flowing black water rivers in the world, the Edisto.

Beidler Forest provides one of the nation’s richest bird watching environments. Situated along numerous migratory pathways, Beidler’s 16,000 acres of cypress/tupelo swamp and old growth forest provide sanctuary for scores of resident and visiting species.

Kayak, hike or sit a spell – just don’t forget your field glasses to catch a glimpse of the birds and other animals populate the forest. Download a guidebook or app. And if you’re in downtown Summerville, swing through the B.I.R.D.S. sculpture trail, a scavenger hunt for bird fanciers of all ages.

It’s possible we have more golf tees per capita than most other South Carolina destinations.

Whether seeking pro-level golf or just getting started, duffers can experience top play at five semi-private or public courses sprinkled throughout the county.

Best of all: South Carolina’s climate allows for play nearly every day of the year, so throw your sticks in the trunk and head to Dorchester County!

Have helmet, will travel! Cyclists flock to Dorchester County, thanks to an assortment of dedicated trails and low-traffic back roads. Whether you’re packing 10 speeds or 1, you’ll enjoy the Sawmill Branch Trail in Summerville, which connects two sections of town along a 6.5-mile asphalt trail set amid a multi-use greenway. Most road crossings go under the roads, making it a pleasant and safe route.

Givhans Ferry State Park in Ridgeville offers a 1.5 mile, moderate intensity River Bluff Nature Trail, which offers scenic views for bikers or hikers.

Rivers run through Dorchester County, providing lots of ways to cast a line and reel in a few keepers. Public access is provided through numerous landings to both the Ashley and Edisto Rivers. Jessen Landing provides easy in-and-out access to small watercraft plying the Ashley River. Meanwhile, the Edisto is one of the longest free-flowing blackwater rivers in North America.

Note: A valid fishing license is required on public waters for people aged 16 and older; visit www.dnr.sc.gov for more details.