South Carolina is a natural wonderland, and the piedmont region in and around Newberry provides some of the most diverse and enjoyable outdoor experiences available in the state. This abundance of natural beauty is made even more clear by the many stunning parks and gardens that can be found near the city. Be sure to explore these and other natural wonders when you visit Newberry!
Lynch’s Woods Park
The 286 acres of Lynch’s Woods Park have something for everyone who loves the outdoors. Three miles of the Palmetto Trail pass through this park, as do several miles of additional hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails. The park is filled with old growth trees and woodlands with stunning granite outcrops and several flowing streams which make up the head waters for Cannon’s Creek. This amazing backdrop plays home to a variety of South Carolina wildlife for you to observe and marvel over during your visit.
Lunch’s Woods Park is open from sunrise to sunset, but primitive camping is available overnight with a permit. The park is an excellent access point to begin a journey on the Palmetto Trail or to rest at while you are on the trail.
Wells Japanese Garden
Since 1930, Newberry’s Lindsay Street has housed a small Japanese garden. Wells Japanese Garden was privately owned when it was first built, but it was donated to the city in 1971 and quickly placed on the National Register of Historic Places a mere nine years later. The garden consists of two ponds, Japanese style concrete bridges, a teahouse, and several torii (traditional Japanese gates which are typically found at the entrances to shrines and temples). It hosts a variety of both native and exotic plant life, including lotuses, Japanese irises, water lilies, crepe myrtles, dogwoods, cypress trees, and a Japanese Matsu pine tree.
The Wells Japanese Garden is open every day of the week from 7am to 7pm. It can be found on Lindsay Street, behind City Hall. Admission and parking are free.
Dreher Island State Park
Located on Lake Murray, Dreher Island State Park spans 348 acres and crosses over three islands. Visitors will be enthralled with the selection of outdoor activities available, including miles of nature trails, tournament-worthy fishing spots, boating and water activities, bird watching, sheltered picnic areas, and geocaching (GPS-based treasure hunting). Wildlife is abundant in the area, with white-tailed deer, striped bass, large and smallmouth bass, and a variety of native birds all calling the islands their home.
Dreher Island State Park is open every day from dawn to dusk. Adults over age 15 must pay an admission of $2, and South Carolina senior citizens must pay $1.25. Children age 15 and younger can enter for free. Overnight lodging is available in the park villas, or guests can camp at their choice of several lakeside campsites.
