South Carolina's Overlooked Riverside State Park Has Gorgeous Water Bank Wildflowers And Dry Canyon Trails

In many ways, South Carolina is the state most associated with the classic ideal of "southern hospitality," especially for the countless tourists who flock there each year. Yet, South Carolina's most popular tourist destinations tend to be limited to the state's coastal regions. This shouldn't be much of a surprise, of course. After all, the iconic coastal city of Charleston boasts (among other things) one of the world's most charming main streets. Further south on the South Carolina coast, the town of Beaufort earns its status as "America's happiest seaside town" with ample beauty, history, and romance. As amazing (and sunny!) as these seaside attractions are, however, you shouldn't overlook the equally extraordinary South Carolina destinations further inland. If you happen to find yourself in north-central South Carolina's rich but overlooked Olde English District, you'll find no better spot for a superb outdoor day trip than the under-the-radar Landsford Canal State Park. 

As an outdoor destination, Landsford Canal State Park provides the perfect blend of natural beauty and regional history. On the natural side of things, Landsford Canal State Park protects a gorgeous stretch of the Catawba River as it flows from the Appalachian Mountains to the north. At the same time, the park's name should indicate its central feature — the ruins of the historic Landsford Canal dating back to the early 19th century. Today, the canal's antique stone architecture provides a perfect contrast to the park's surrounding natural beauty, creating one of the Palmetto State's most unique sights. Even better, this particular stretch of the Catawba River protects a truly impressive ecosystem, including one of the rarest species of endemic flowers in the United States!

The South Carolina state park system may be one of the most unjustly ignored state park systems in the country, with plenty of gorgeous destinations like the secluded mountain haven of Jones Gap State Park and its wildflower-filled meadows. Landsford Canal State Park contributes to this impressive state park collection with one of the South's best combinations of nature and history. The park's natural scenery centers around the lovely Catawba River, which flows with achingly beautiful blue water forged through the similarly "blue" Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. As the river flows southward to Lake Wateree, it passes through a ravishing watershed in South Carolina's north-central region, where it forges (among other things) the sublime landscape of Landsford Canal State Park. 

The Catawba River, however, was not always considered a peaceful slice of natural beauty. In the early 19th century, the river's treacherous rapids were a major hindrance to transporting goods and passengers through South Carolina's waterways. To get around this, workers constructed a series of canals along the Catawba River between 1820 and 1835, designed to allow boats to bypass the river's less navigable sections. The Landsford Canal was the uppermost of these, and though consistent river traffic only lasted through the 1840s, the canal's granite foundations and locks still stand along the riverbanks. These antique granite walls blend in with the surrounding woodlands to create a network of dry "canyons" that complement, rather than detract from, the natural setting. Other historic sites in the park include the preserved Revolutionary War-era crossing at Land's Ford and a museum on the region's Native American history. 

Landsford Canal State Park's lush ecosystem surrounding the Catawba River is not merely pretty; it's also an ecological treasure unlike any other in the country. Most notably, Landsford Canal's river basin is home to the extremely rare Rocky Shoals Spider Lily, a vibrant and photogenic white perennial flower that grows directly from the water. Though this rare species of water lily can also be found in certain locations in Georgia and Alabama, Landsford Canal State Park contains the world's largest population of these special flowers. When the spider lilies bloom (generally between May and June), the result is thousands of snow-white flowers decorating the striking blue of the Catawba River. 

With Landsford Canal's access through both land and river, you can witness the unforgettable beauty of the Catawba River's spider lilies from both a scenic hiking trail and an immersive paddling experience out on the water directly through the lily groves. The park's Canal Trail is the best way to explore the historic canal ruins, while the Nature Trail and Eagle Point Trail are excellent for experiencing the Catawba River and its vibrant ecosystem. Once you've gotten the full Landsford Canal experience, you can explore the rest of South Carolina's amazing Olde English District, including its many cozy hotels,  B&Bs, and campgrounds for overnight stays. Conveniently, Landsford Canal is less than an hour's drive south of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, one of the biggest flight hubs in the southeast!