Explore Moncks Corner through its history and outdoor activities. Its history stretches from an early crossroads settlement to its use as a British supply depot. There are also museums, trails through wetlands, a canoe trail, and opportunities to get out on the water. When planning your visit, it’s worth first deciding whether you’re mainly interested in exploring history, walking, or getting out on the water.
From Crossroads Settlement to Local History
Moncks Corner’s historical roots are linked to the arrival of French Huguenots in the early 18th century. In the 18th century, the village was a crossroads settlement with shops and taverns at the intersection of the Cherokee Path, a trail used by Indigenous traders, and the road from Charleston to Santee. During the American Revolutionary War, the village served as a British supply depot. Moncks Corner’s history thus connects settlement and trade with the village’s military use as a British supply depot during the Revolutionary War.
The Berkeley County Museum in Moncks Corner tells a story spanning more than 12,000 years. It is set up for self-guided visits. To find out the prices for guided tours, you’ll need to contact the museum.
Trails and History at the Old Santee Canal
Old Santee Canal Park covers 195 acres and commemorates the construction of the first true canal in America. The Interpretive Center presents the region’s history, reaching back to 4000 BC. The park also includes Stony Landing House, built in 1843. This means the park brings historical context and landscape together, though they offer different kinds of experiences.
Four miles of boardwalks lead through the quiet backwaters of Biggin Creek and the surrounding swamp. If you’d rather paddle, the Old Santee Canal Canoe Trail offers another option: this short, easy canoe route runs through the park near Moncks Corner and is approximately three miles long.
Fort Fair Lawn and Its Trails
Fort Fair Lawn is an intact original fortification from the American Revolutionary War and is connected to military events near Moncks Corner. The fort has 1.75 miles of gravel hiking trails, as well as a gated trail connection to Old Santee Canal Park. For planning purposes, these are two distinct aspects: the site’s historical significance and the specific trail features available there.
Cypress Gardens and Mepkin Abbey
Cypress Gardens covers 170 acres on the site of the former Dean Hall Plantation. A self-guided tour leads to filming locations from iconic movies and television series. The Splash Pad is a seasonal interactive water play area with a tipping bucket and water cannons. Since the Splash Pad is seasonal and information about filming locations may be updated, check the latest visitor information before your visit.
Mepkin Abbey is a community of Roman Catholic monks founded in 1949 on the site of the historic Mepkin Plantation. Its historical context therefore differs from that of Cypress Gardens: at Cypress Gardens, the site of the former Dean Hall Plantation is part of the area’s history; at Mepkin Abbey, the community’s founding and the historic plantation site shape its historical context.
Access to the Water Nearby
Several public boat landings near Moncks Corner provide access to Lake Moultrie and the Cooper River. If you’re planning to use a specific landing, check the status of the relevant ramp before setting out.
Discover more destinations: St. Stephen, Hanahan, Goose Creek.
View the main travel overview: Berkeley.
