Hey there! Today we visit Lake Warren State Park, a great park with beautiful lake views, 2 hiking trails even a "fit" trail! There is private boat access as well as boat rentals. This is a free park. The main hiking trail (and fit trail) is over a mile long and it's located by the ranger building, that's where we start off today. The ultimate outsider stamp is located right outside the ranger building, don't forget to get your stamp! Going past the ranger building takes you to the trail-head for the main trail. The fit trail branches off just a little bit after you start the main trail. We didn't go on the fit trail but we did stop to do the final exercise at the end! There are parts of the trail that has a lot of roots, they've painted them to let you know where they are, be careful. Most of the trail is pretty level with just a few small elevation changes, aside from the root areas it's a fairly easy trail. A little over halfway through the trail you come to a little pier on the small pond. When we visited the pier was underwater as it had been raining a lot that week. We still walked out onto the pier looking for gators, but didn't find any! This antique is about halfway along the trail, it's just sitting there on the side. There's no signs or story with it, I'm sure the ranger will know though! Near the end of the trail you come to the other side of the pond. There are several picnic tables here as well as these warning signs.... There's also this cool little "campfire" area with benches and a stage at the end of the trail. The end of the trail brings you back out to the parking lot by the ranger building. We stopped by the large stage facing the field and spoke to the crowds before continuing on to the shorter nature trail and the pier. The smaller trail is on the other side of the main road, it starts by the playground area. This is a really short loop that basically takes you lakeside and back. You can also get to the pavilion from this trail, it comes out at the parking lot. The pavilion is nice and there's a really nice area leading down to the lake shore and overlooking the lake.
And last but not least we headed out to check out the pier, it runs out in the lake a little bit and has several benches to sit back and enjoy the scenery! This is also the area where you can rent the boats and head out on to the lake.
This is a really great park, you can enjoy a day at the lake and get your nature on - watch out for gators!! There's plenty of picnic areas, shelters and a nice size playground. Be sure to check the official website for the park as they host events throughout the year - like the summer evening movie nights! Also check out the State Park gallery on my website to see the rest of the pictures from our visit and to see more pictures from the other state parks! http://www.centerlightstudios.com/SC-State-Parks
Hey there! Today we visited the Oconee Station State Park - don't confuse with Oconee State Park! This park has a main area with some historic buildings, trail, lake and a little further away a nice waterfall. Geographically it is close to Oconee State Park, however due to the terrain, to get there you have to drive around the mountain and it takes 30+ minutes. There is a hiking/biking trail that goes between the parks but it is fairly long and steep - over 5 miles and very hilly. The main park area has a small ranger station, some picnic tables and rest rooms. From here you can go to the old station - 2 old buildings - or the trail to the lake and waterfall. If you're doing the ultimate outsider program the stamp is at the main ranger building. The two old buildings from the station are nice for a quick explore, they are fairly basic and have just a few period pieces in them. Close by the old buildings is the nature trail and lake, you have to walk down the main road a little bit to get to it. Remember it's a little further to get to the falls starting from this point, if you want the shorter hike just to the waterfall, drive back out to the trail-head past the main entrance. The trail goes around the lake with a split to head to the waterfall. The part of the trail that goes on the back side of the lake is not traveled or kept up very well, there were a few times I almost had to blaze my own trail. The lake is small but nice, it was a great day when I went for reflection shots. It's mostly wooded around it except for this one land bar that splits the lake from a steep gully. If you stay on the main trail and follow the signs for the waterfall you'll hike around the front side of the lake then come around and back up to the main road where the waterfall trail-head starts. You have to cross the road then start on the waterfall trail. The main waterfall trail (from the trail-head not the ranger station) is pretty level with just a few hilly areas and very well marked. It's a nice short hike through a valley area and around the stream, there's also a couple of small foot bridges. Once you get close to the waterfall the trail splits and you can continue on to Oconee State Park, but that's another hike for another day! Getting to the waterfall is easy with just one area where you have to cross the stream over some rocks. It's not too difficult and worth it, once you get to the waterfall you're treated to a beautiful waterfall and area with plenty of spots to rest, have a picnic and get pictures!
This is a nice park that offers plenty to see and explore. There's probably not enough to make a full day of the park - unless you're up to the challenge of the trail to Oconee State Park - but still plenty for a nice afternoon in nature or morning hike. The park is a must visit, especially for the waterfall!
