I love this park f. One, even the most challenging trails are pretty easy. It's a great way to get a good workout, without feeling miserable if you haven't been hiking in a while

I love all the water. It's so pretty to see the flowing creek and just enjoy the sound and sight of it.

The trails are shaded pretty much all the time. It's a nice place to walk and not have the sun on you (except in the middle of winter, because most of the trees don't have leaves then).

The flowers are wonderful! Pretty much all year you will find flowers blooming. It's fun to hunt up. My favorite are the Turks Caps and Lantana 

We have enjoyed two separate hikes at this state park and we were easily able to walk the whole park both times.

Here is some of that CCC work as well as flowing water.

This park has four miles of hiking trails, which makes it pretty easy to hike all of it in a day with plenty of time to spare. We often come and have lunch and then hike the trails together. This is a CCC-built park. In the 1930s many parks were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). At these parks, you can find buildings and trails that these men built all those years ago. 

Buildings like this refectory are beautiful and fun to walk up to. Make sure you see this and the CCC water tower. It's history you can see and touch.

Yeah, this place makes us happy.

A larger palmetto (with Scott hiding behind it.

Get the park map HERE.

Drive past The Refectory and park in the parking area near the San Marcus River Trail.

Walk along the San Marcus River Trail until we get to Mossycup Spur

Take Mossycup Spur to Canebrake Spur

Take Canebrake Spur to San Marcus River Tail.

You won't stay on the San Marcus River trail for long before you get to Mesquite Flats Trail*

*Mesquite Flats Trail isn't well-shaded. Avoid during the hottest months.

Park near The Refectory

Walk to the Palmetto Interpretive Trail

Take the Palmetto Interpretive Trail to Mesquite Flats Trail

You won't stay on Mesquite Flats Trail long before you turn onto Ottine Swap Trail

Walk along the boardwalk area. When you reach the end, turn around and go back to Mesquite Flats Trail and take the Palmetto Interpretive Trail back to the road and your car

Drive past The Refectory and park in the parking area near the San Marcus River Trail.

Walk along the San Marcus River Trail.

Then, enjoy the Palmetto Interpretive Trail

Is this a CCC park? Yes!

Do you need to make a reservation? While always recommended, this one isn't often at capacity.

Sarah's favorite spots: The Refectory, Palmetto Interpretive Trail, and the low water crossing (point 3 on the official trails map)

What else can I do at this park? They have canoes and kyack rentals at Oxbow Lake. Also a swimming area.

Camping? There are tent and RV sites and one cabin. (We have never camped here)

Of course, a backpack is a must. Why? You might ask? Seriously, you do not want to have to do a hike, carrying even just your water bottle in your hands for four miles. This backpack was a gift from my family and has a chest and waist strap (highly recommend this if you do a lot of hiking), two side pouches for our water bottles, as well as plenty of pockets for stuff. 

Water, is of course, important. We usually have some extra bottles of water and/or sports drinks in our backpack, but we each have our own bottle (which we've covered with stickers from State Parks. I've loved these bottles and waited until they went on sale to grab them a couple of years ago. These hold 33 ounces, have a staw and are super easy to use while hiking. Whatever bottles you take, make sure they seal so you can put them in your backpack.

We also carry a multi-tool. We've used both the screwdriver and knife a couple of times. It's something you don't think you need...until you do.

No one wants to think they would forget critical things or things not go well. However, things happen. I always have a small backup of bug spray and sunscreen in our bag (though I usually use this bug lotion when I'm getting dressed for a hike) as well as gauze, bandaids, basic meds (triple anti-biotic lotion, hydrocortisone cream, Tylenol, Advil, allergy meds), tissues, and also some sanitary pads at times.

We also carry hiking polls. I use them pretty often. It's surprising how helpful they can be. We also always have some stable stack in our bag. We have used it quite a few times when hikes have gone longer than expected.