Poinsett State Park

Sometimes it’s just too hard to make up your mind. Mountains or wetlands? Forest or lake? Good thing Poinsett State Park, known as “the mountains of the midlands,” offers every ecosystem you could name. Hike the Palmetto Trail through Manchester State Forest, taking in the diverse array of woody characters, from stoic hardwoods to weepy Spanish Moss. Don’t forget to look down every once in a while or you’ll miss the unexpected bursts of Mountain Laurel that grow out of the bluffs. Poinsett State Park is a lush haven of biodiversity, perfect for a weekend of exploring new ecosystems. The only thing you won’t find here is woodland fairies, and even that’s not a guarantee. They’re probably hiding under the striking, stone-relic Canal Bridge.