Fun in Downtown Ridgeland
A quick hop off the interstate lets you stretch your legs and engage your mind.
The Blue Heron Nature Trail, Harold Turpin Park and Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage are located just seconds off Ridgeland’s I-95 Exit 21.
The Blue Heron Nature Center
The 10-acre Blue Heron Nature Center offers relief for the road-weary, and it’s as easy to get to as any rest area.
The loop trail includes a section of boardwalk through a forested wetland filled with ferns and native plants.
This 10-acre green space boasts a quarter-mile recycled rubber trail around a three-acre pond and a quarter-mile of boardwalk through forested wetlands. The property also includes a butterfly garden, picnic area, outdoor classroom, observation decks, and a 4,200-square-foot Learning Center. Permanent trailside displays help visitors learn more about the native flora and fauna of Jasper County and the Lowcountry.
The nature trail leads you around the pond with several scenic overlooks along the way. Along the trail you will find benches, swings, and an attractive butterfly garden.
In addition to the herons, you may see ducks, turtles, fish, alligators, and other wildlife here. Also, several boardwalks take you through the surrounding forested wetlands. Get out of the traffic and spend some time relaxing while you wander around this natural gem.
Photo Credit: Lyn Boyles
The nature trail is open daily dawn to dusk. The Nature Center is open Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Here you’ll find many displays of animals and other interesting facts about the South Carolina Lowcountry.
There is a parking lot that has plenty of room for a camper. The nature trail is also dog-friendly but be sure to pick up what you put down.
The Harold Turpin Park
The Harold Turpin Park is located very close by. It is a great spot to bring a picnic and lets the kids take a break from the back seat. The recently updated park has a treehouse and zip line, as well as a water feature and many other goodies.
The Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage
If you need more of a respite from I-95 traffic head into town just a few blocks to the Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage. Their mission is to cultivate community experiences through education, preservation, and celebration of the region’s rich history and culture. Here you can see changing exhibits connected to the Lowcountry heritage.
3-D Honey Hill Battlefield Display
Get a feel for how this significant battle of the Civil War played out. This display features a three-dimensional diorama of the Honey Hill Battlefield that took place in Ridgeland, South Carolina on November 30, 1864.
For more information on activities along the SC Lowcountry visit the South Carolina Lowcountry Day Trips page.
