Peachtree Rock

Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve

883 Peachtree Rock Road, Lexington, SC
GPS Coordinates: 33.8301, -81.2023
Saturday, March 25, 2023, 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve comprises 460 acres and is co-managed by the S.C. Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It is located in Lexington County, South Carolina and the has the largest sandstone outcrops in the state, the only waterfall in the coastal plain, a swamp tupelo-evergreen shrub bog and a longleaf pine ecosystem. Peachtree Rock is in a valley at the headwaters of Hunt Branch which feeds into Second Creek and then the Congaree River.

The geology of Peachtree Rock is significant because of the unusual sandstone formations and abundance of fossil evidence. The formations originated when oceans washed over the area leaving marine fossils, beach-like sand and intertidal deposits.

The vegetation in the valley near the waterfall is in contrast to that on the dry, sandy ridge above. Mountain laurel, tulip or yellow poplar and maple-leafed viburnum can be seen in the wet areas, while lichens cover the rock surfaces and ferns grow near the creek. On the ridge, pines and turkey oaks dominate the dry soil, which is well drained and poor in nutrients. Overall, more than 245 different plant species have been documented on the preserve including sand-myrtle, Kalmia buxifloria, which is visited by the Brown Elfin for nectar. The Brown Elfin has a single brood in the spring and its host plants include Vaccinium species and mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia). Sand-myrtle is also suspected.

Though the walking difficulty is fairly easy, there are many roots and some hills and steps along the trails. Expect crowds since this is a popular area. There are NO RESTROOMS in the heritage preserve.

Directions:

• From Columbia take SC Highway 302/Edmund Hwy south past Columbia International Airport. Highway 302 will merge with HWY 6. Veer left toward Swansea on Hwy 6 approximately 2 miles past the merge of Hwy 302 and Hwy6. The preserve’s parking lot is located on the left-hand side. You may also park along Peachtree Rock Road.
• From I-20 exit at Hwy 6. Take Hwy 6 south until it merges with Hwy 302. Follow Hwy6/302 and veer left toward Swansea on Hwy 6 approximately 2 miles. The parking area is on the left. You may also park along Peachtree Rock Road.
• For GPS directions, use the following address: 883 Peachtree Rock Road, Lexington, SC, 29073 or use GPS coordinates are 33.8301, -81.2023