Wet lowland forests, an officially designated river, and a garden of artfully shaped plants give Lee County a distinctive contrast. Explore nature at Lee State Park, along the Lynches River, and at Lake Ashwood. Museums and historic sites in and around Bishopville add to the experience, spanning everything from garden art to cotton history.
Nature Between River and Lowland
At Lee State Park, wet hardwood forests and lowland wetlands cover most of its 2,839 acres. More than 700 acres of the park are enrolled in the USDA NRCS Wetland Reserve Program. The Lynches River has been designated a State Scenic River by the state since 1994. Wildlife in the park includes the federally endangered wood stork, swamp rabbits, and fox squirrels. Wetland habitats, river scenery, and wildlife come together to shape the natural landscape here.
The trails vary in length, scenery, and difficulty. The Sandhills Trail is 0.5 miles long, easy, and passes through a sandhill landscape characterized by oaks and pines. Also easy, the 0.2-mile Wetland Boardwalk includes an 800-foot out-and-back section into the Lynches River floodplain. For a longer hike, try the Floodplain Trail: It is 5.0 miles long and rated moderate. The park therefore offers short, easy trails as well as a longer hike of moderate difficulty.
The Lynches River also offers anglers and birdwatchers a practical place to visit: If the Loop Road is passable, visitors can drive it to the riverbanks. There, you can fish for bluegill, redbreast sunfish, catfish, and bass, or watch birds. A South Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the river. The five-mile Loop Road is an easy, multi-use route for walkers, hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, and vehicles. The park also has seven miles of equestrian trails and 23 equestrian campsites with water and electric hookups. Check campsite availability and the latest trail and access rules before your trip.
The day-use area, trails, and Loop Road are open daily from 9 a.m. until sunset. The education center has an exhibit hall and a wet lab; contact the park directly for current opening hours. Lee State Park is near Bishopville, directly off Interstate 20.
Lake Ashwood offers a different experience: The 75-acre lake in Lee County provides fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and catfish. Facilities include a boat ramp, fishing pier, picnic area, and accessible access. Check accessibility details before you arrive. From Interstate 20, the lake is about five miles along Highway 15 toward Sumter.
Bishopville: Garden Art and Local History
The Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden showcases a wide variety of garden art. Pearl Fryar created the three-acre topiary garden on his residential property in Bishopville; it also features plants rescued from nursery compost piles. Visitors can see more than 400 artfully trimmed plants. A striking example is the Fishbone Tree: This signature work is a seven-year project involving a Leyland cypress. The garden is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For visits on specific dates, it is advisable to check with the garden.
The South Carolina Cotton Museum tells the story of cotton from Joseph West’s first documented fields in 1670 to the present day. Exhibits include original tools, textile machinery, and a modern crop-dusting plane. Self-guided tours are available Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; check current information before your visit. Young visitors can touch raw cotton and see a three-foot-tall boll weevil statue. The Lee County Veterans Museum is also located in the Cotton Museum, preserving stories, uniforms, and artifacts from local military history.
In the Bishopville Commercial Historic District, 48 contributing buildings represent the community’s historic business center; the district preserves its original early 20th-century appearance. The Lee County Courthouse was built in 1908–1909. An old cannon stands on a concrete base in front of the building. The James Carnes House is also notable for architecture enthusiasts: It is considered a good example of the vernacular Greek Revival style.
Local storytelling includes the legend of the Lizard Man. Its origins are traced to a reported sighting at Scape Ore Swamp in the summer of 1988.
Discover More Destinations
Bishopville, Jasper County, Berkeley, Marlboro County, Pickens County, Darlington, Florence, Chester County
For the main travel overview: South Carolina.
