I'on Swamp Interpretive Trail

Area Status: Open

A fascinating walk through a wetland world, this historic, self-guided, interpretive trail traverses embankments built as far back as the 1700s. The embankments and ditches were built to create a patchwork of fields for rice production during the lucrative rice era of the low country.

Click here for a printable guide and vicinity map.

At a Glance

Operational Hours:	Day use only.
Open Season:	All year
Restrictions:	No camping. Hikers and day use only.

General Information

Directions:

From Charleston, take US Highway 17 North to I’on Swamp Road (FS Road 228). Turn left and drive 2.0 miles to the trailhead on the left.

Accessibility:

From December through March a large portion of the trail may be submerged to provide habitat for waterfowl.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Day Hiking

Unsurfaced/grassy surface. Travel time approximately two hours.

General Info:

Directions

From Charleston, take US Highway 17 North to I’on Swamp Road (FS Road 228). Turn left and drive 2.0 miles to the trailhead on the left.

General Notes

Surrounding area:

Safety Information

During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects and high temperatures. Be advised of big-game and waterfowl hunting seasons. Avoid using the trail during excessively wet periods.

Seasonal Information

From December through March, a large portion of the trail may be submerged to provide habitat for waterfowl.

Difficulty Level:	Moderate

Viewing Wildlife

Species	wood duck, yellowbelly slider turtle, great blue heron, alligator, otter
Hours of Operation:	With water pooling on both sides of the trail, travelers will witness a wide array of wildlife from the wood duck to the yellowbelly slider turtle and the great blue heron. Alligators float in the serene pools alongside the trail, while a river otter occasionally scoots across the footpath.