Givhans Ferry State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Parks Field Saul Alexander Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Givhans Ferry State Park is located in Ridgeville, South Carolina and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Summary
The park is situated along the Edisto River and offers visitors a variety of recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, hiking, and camping.
One of the main attractions at Givhans Ferry State Park is the Edisto River, which is known for its picturesque scenery and abundant wildlife. Visitors can take a paddle boat tour or rent a kayak to explore the river and its surrounding marshes. Fishing is also popular in the park, with several species of fish available such as bass, catfish, and bream.
The park has several hiking trails which vary in difficulty and offer beautiful views of the river and surrounding forests. The park also has a large picnic area that is perfect for family gatherings and events.
Interesting facts about Givhans Ferry State Park include its history as a ferry crossing during the Civil War, and its designation as a National Natural Landmark due to its unique geological formations.
The best time of year to visit Givhans Ferry State Park is during the fall and spring when temperatures are mild and the foliage is at its peak. The park is open year-round, however, and offers activities for visitors in all seasons.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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