Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve
Contact Information
Colette DeGarady
The Nature Conservancy-SC Chapter
960 Morrison Drive, Suite 100
Charleston, SC 29403-3819
843-937-8807 ext 15
Brett M. Moule
SC Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 167
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 734-3886
Hours of Operation
The preserve is open year-round.
Contributions to the Endangered Wildlife Fund on the South Carolina Income Tax Form help to make the identification and management of these preserves possible.
Important Information for Visitors
Photographs
Description
Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve comprises 460 acres and is co-managed by the SC Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Department of Natural Resources owns fee title to 155 acres and holds a conservation easement on the remaining 305 acres, owned by TNC.
The preserve harbors the largest sandstone outcrops in South Carolina, the only waterfall in the Coastal Plain, a swamp tupelo-evergreen shrub bog and a longleaf pine ecosystem. It is located in a valley at the headwaters of Hunt Branch, which feeds into Second Creek and then the Congaree River.
The geology of Peachtree Rock is significant because of the unusual sandstone formations and abundance of fossil evidence. These fossils indicate the formations were left in the middle Eocene Epoch, 60 million years ago. The formations originated when oceans washed over the area leaving marine fossils, beach-like sand, and intertidal deposits.
The vegetation in the valley near the waterfall is in contrast to that on the dry, sandy ridge above. mountain laurel, tulip or yellow poplar and maple-leafed viburnum can be seen in the wet areas, while lichens cover the rock surfaces, and ferns grow near the creek. On the ridge, pines and turkey oaks dominate the dry soil, which is well drained and poor in nutrients. Overall, more than 245 different plant species have been documented on the preserve.