The Expedition
Appalachians to the Atlantic
This is your invitation to explore some of the most breathtaking and ecologically unique places in the Palmetto State. Each year, adventurers, nature lovers, and conservationists come together to hike, paddle, and discover seven iconic destinations that showcase South Carolina’s wild beauty.
Whether you explore them on your own or join us for the expedition, each location offers a new experience with every season—so get outside, embrace the adventure, and see South Carolina like never before!
Chattooga River
Famed for its role in Deliverance, the Chattooga River is the ultimate whitewater adventure, offering some of the most thrilling rapids in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains. Protected as a National Wild and Scenic River since 1974, this untamed waterway remains one of the Southeast’s most breathtaking and untouched rafting destinations.
Sassafras Mountain
Standing at 3,533 feet, Sassafras Mountain is the highest point in South Carolina, offering breathtaking views from the Roof of the Palmetto State. Shaped by millions of years of shifting continents and ancient mountain-building, its rugged landscape has given rise to the stunning gorges and waterfalls that surround this must-visit peak.
Jocassee Gorges
Named one of National Geographic’s “Last Great Places.” Lake Jocassee is a hidden gem where crystal-clear waters meet the dramatic rise of the Blue Ridge Escarpment.
With forested slopes dropping 2,000 feet in just miles, this stunning landscape is home to rare plants, diverse wildlife, and a history as rich as its beauty—earning its legendary name, “Place of the Lost One.”
Congaree National Park
Home to the largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in North America, Congaree National Park is often called the “Redwoods of the East.” Towering above the canopy, record-breaking trees—including a 167-foot loblolly pine—make this floodplain forest one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the country, with more national and state champion trees than anywhere else in the region.
Edisto River
Named for a Native American word meaning “black,” the Edisto River is the longest free-flowing blackwater river in the U.S., its dark waters shaped by decaying leaves and plant life. Flowing through a rich and diverse ecosystem, the Edisto provides critical habitat for rare and endangered species, including the red-cockaded woodpecker, wood stork, and loggerhead turtle.
ACE Basin
The ACE Basin—where the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Rivers meet—is one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the U.S. East Coast. Spanning 350,000 acres of pristine wetlands, forests, and marshes, this Lowcountry treasure supports diverse wildlife and a rich ecological heritage, earning recognition from National Geographic as “one of the last great places” on Earth.
Bull Island
Bull Island is one of South Carolina’s most remote and breathtaking natural treasures. As the largest barrier island in the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, this 5,000-acre sanctuary remains virtually untouched, with maritime forests, pristine beaches, and rich wetlands. A paradise for nature lovers, it’s home to countless wildlife species and over 275 species of birds.
