River Bluff Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views

You'll park across the road in the main section of the State Park next to Edisto River. The park will have an entrance fee and have restrooms in that area. Limited in area for supplies, two small connivence stores close to park, otherwise Summerville is the nearest town for supplies.

Trail is mostly smooth, a few spots of roots sticking up to watch your step. The trail is a lot narrow in the section by the Edisto River, so might need to slow down passing people as this is the main trail of the State Park and can get busy.

This is the most popular and main nature trail of Givhans Ferry State Park, which is a little more diverse in terrain and views compared to Old Loop Trail, the longer and second trail at the park. This trail can be looped by using the park road for 1.5 miles, or backtracked out the way you came. The trail is a wide smooth maintained path for the most part other than a few sections closer to the river maybe a little more challenging for some.

Across the park road from the day parking area is an open field. In the back right corner of this field is where you'll find the start or end of this trail (depend on which way you go) between two split rail fence sections, for a mile. The trail starts off following S-30 Road through a thin buffer of trees on your right which is mostly only noticeable with a passing car. The left side is more of a mixture of trees. About a half mile in, you'll come across the first of three benches with the road at your back. Just another 100 feet or so passed will be a narrow bridge that crosses a ravine that was mostly dry when there.

The trail switchbacks following the contour a little on the right side of the ravine as it starts to head toward the Edisto River direction. Another bench will be found right along the trail for a rest or enjoy the sounds of the birds.

The last quarter of the trail will be most exciting as you come out next to the last bench on your right where you can sit to over look Edisto River through the trees. There are small trails down on the right to a small stream flowing into the Edisto. To continue the trail, head left where you run along a bluff of the river more with a view through the trees. In this area the trail is a little more slanted in parts and occasional roots to trip over if not careful. A fenced off location will sound like a waterfall inside, but that is water intake for some towns below. This area provides a few high views of Edisto below.

Behind the fenced-in area along the continuation of the trail will be that ravine again. Climb down and back up the other side before a few more steps take you out the trail into the back area of the park. Here, you can backtrack the trail or follow the road back to day parking with spots on the left side to look out over the Edisto River through the trees. By the Ranger office, there is a ramp that goes down to almost like a beach protected with rocks along the waters edge which provides an easy close access to the river for a closer view.

Cypress, Pines, Sweet Gums, Live Oaks, Cedars, among other trees found along the trail. Sounds of birds.