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Woods Bay State Natural Area

Olanta, South Carolina
(View other Olanta area trails)

Trail length:

1 miles
Posted by: SCguide1 on October 2, 2009

Description

This easy, 0.9-mile loop trail is well marked and abounds with the beautiful vegetation typical of a Carolina Bay area. Animals you may see in the area range from raccoons, river otters, and alligators to various snakes and tiny tree frogs. Some of the birds you may see or hear are, wood thrushes, blue and white-eyed vireos, orchard orioles, summer tanagers, and several kinds of warblers including the prothonotary warbler. Also available is a new 500 foot boardwalk. Lastly, a 1-mile canoe trail is available. Canoes may be rented by the hour or by the day.

 
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Directions

From Exit 141 on I-95, drive east on SC 53 for 1.3 miles and turn right onto Sumter County S-43−597. When S-43−597 ends, turn left onto Woods Bay Road (S-43-48) and the entrance to the park is 2 miles on the right.

GPS Coordinates:

N 33.94939

W 79.97807

Trail length

1 miles

Guidebooks

Photos from Woods Bay State Natural Area

Reviews of Woods Bay State Natural Area



Reviewed by SCguide1 on October 2, 2009

(0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
I spent a couple hours at Woods Bay and was thrilled with the diversity of the place. A full day could easily be spent here.
One of the most interesting features of the Natural Area is the boardwalk, which spans a nice section of blackwater. Bowfins, a prehistoric fish species, were very active as they rose to the surface to gulp oxygen into their air bladders. I was amazed to see a fish species surviving so well in truly anaerobic waters.
I did not see any alligators, but they are present.
This Natural Area is very well cared for and exceptionally clean. As a note, there are no garbage cans. Users are asked to carry out anything they bring in.

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