National Trails Day Saturday, June 6th
South Carolina, Beaufort County, City of Beaufort and Town of Port Royal Declare June as “Trails Month”

The Spanish Moss Trail is undeniably special. It’s something to really celebrate in Northern Beaufort County and never take for granted all that goes into its success and intentional development that allows us all to enjoy it. It is a unique public amenity, a recognized segment of the East Coast Greenway, and offers more than 100,000 locals and visitors a 10-mile+ recreational experience. The Trail’s scenic landscape provides a non-motorized path for walking, running, biking and saltwater vistas, coastal wildlife viewing, and scores of historic points of interest as it meanders through Spanish moss-draped neighborhoods, salt creeks and wetlands.

It is a good example of why trails all around the country are being celebrated on National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6. Established in 1993 by the American Hiking Society, this nationwide event advocates for public lands, promotes outdoor recreation, and encourages volunteers to engage in trail cleanup and stewardship projects. Building on that momentum now is the state of South Carolina, Beaufort County, City of Beaufort and Town of Port Royal – who have all declared the entire month of June “Trails Month” to celebrate all our local trails – and are highlighting the Spanish Moss Trail as the crown jewel.

“The Spanish Moss Trail has become such a happy outdoor experience in our community in a way few other spaces can,” said Sissy Perryman, Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail’s Director of Advancement. “Locals love it, many using it regularly as a part of their daily routine for fresh air and exercise, and each year more than 25,000 people are traveling from all over the country to experience the unique setting it provides for outdoor recreation.”

To honor both National Trails Day and Trails Month, everyone is encouraged to explore the Spanish Moss Trail throughout June. The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail hope families will be especially inspired to kick off their summer by enjoying the newly designated national Kids in Parks TRACK Trail. This one-mile experience for kids starts at the Depot Trailhead with a child-friendly map, custom activity brochures, the StoryWalk provided by the Friends of Beaufort Library and the Beaufort County Library, as well as the wonderful Pat Conroy Literary Center’s Little Library.

Fifteen years ago, the Spanish Moss Trail was just an idea by some visionary leaders in this community. There were similar rails-to-trails all over the country, but to make the Spanish Moss Trail a reality over the past fourteen years, it has taken a strong vision from Trail experts like the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail and the PATH Foundation of Atlanta to help encourage investments from the public and private sector. The majority of the Spanish Moss Trail is owned by Beaufort County and there are six more miles to complete its Master Plan. Other important public partners include the City of Beaufort and the Town of Port Royal who share in its maintenance and, in the case of the Town of Port Royal, fully owns their portion of the current and future Trail beyond the new Ribaut Crossing. Their partnerships and continued investment are invaluable to us all.

So this June, step outside, get moving and connect with nature!

How to Celebrate with the Spanish Moss Trail This June:

  • What’s New on the Trail?: The Downtown Beaufort Connector, the Ribaut Road Crossing into Port Royal, and the Kids in Parks TRACK Trail starting at Depot Trailhead
  • Six Trailheads/Parking Access: Westvine, Broome, Depot, Beaufort Plaza, Roseida and Clarendon
  • Share Your Experience: Use the hashtags #SpanishMossTrail, #NationalTrailsDay, and #SCTrailsMonth on social media
  • Keep It Beautiful: Honor the Spanish Moss Trail by practicing “Leave No Trace” principles – dispose of waste properly and ensure pets remain leashed. Many Trail users even pick up trash they see along the way.
  • Know Before You Go: The Trail is a 10+ mile, paved, non-motorized, multi-use Trail open dawn to dusk with a speed limit of 15 MPH. Only pedal-assist Class 1 E-bikes are allowed. No other motorized vehicles or e-bikes are permitted. Dogs must be leashed and pet waste must be removed (pet-waste stations available). For cyclists, please stay at or below 15 MPH at all times and alert pedestrians by saying “Passing on your left”.
  • Visit us, Support our Work and Download the Free App:

Website: SpanishMossTrail.com

Free Mobile App: Spanish Moss Trail Mobile Guide

Your donations help the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail advocate for the best possible Spanish Moss Trail experience for us all.