Lynches River County Park is perfect for a day trip

Lynches River County Park sits almost exactly in the middle of the 111-mile section of the Lynches River that is designated a "State Scenic River," beginning where it crosses Highway 15 in Lee County and ending all the way down at its confluence with the Great Pee Dee. Along the way, the narrow Lynches twists and winds through the heart of the Pee Dee Country tourism region, an area of the state rife with both history and opportunities for outdoor adventures. Travelers to this region should put checking out the Pee Dee Tourism Commission website at the top of their trip-planning to-do list.

With four state-designated Scenic Rivers within its borders (the Great Pee Dee River, the Little Pee Dee River, the Little Pee Dee River in Dillon County and Lynches River), there's no question that this region is a great place for paddlers, hikers and hunters.

SCDNR's State Scenic Rivers program protects "unique or outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic, botanical, fish, wildlife, historic or cultural values" by engaging river users and landowners along the corridors of these waterways to work collaboratively on conservation goals. Outdoorsmen and women can also take advantage of numerous outdoor recreation opportunities on other SCDNR-managed properties in the region such as the Great Pee Dee Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area, Marsh WMA, Segars-McKinnon Heritage Preserve, Pee Dee Station WMA, Lynchburg Savanna HP/WMA and Longleaf Pine HP/WMA, as well as numerous local public parks and privately owned campgrounds.

If you're looking for a day-trip destination that offers some great short hikes through a classic coastal plain floodplain forest, scenic river views and even paddling/river access, one of the region's best options is the aforementioned 676-acre Lynches River County Park, located near Turbeville, in Florence County.

Paddlers are welcome to bring their own canoes and kayaks to the park (admission and parking are free), to take advantage of the fantastic tiered put in and explore the river downstream, but for visitors who might be visiting the Pee Dee Region without their own boats in tow, the park has another option. For a modest fee of just $30 for a kayak or $35 for a canoe (plus a $100 deposit), park staff will rent you a boat that you can use to traverse the river. Boats, paddles, life jackets and other equipment must be returned by the end of the day.

Group rates and guided tours are also available, and arrangements can be made for pickup at your downriver destination and return to the park. Call ahead to the park's Environmental Discovery Center at (843) 389-0550 for more information and for group rates.