Savannah River Bluffs Heritage Preserve
Contact Information
Brett M. Moule
SC Department of Natural Resources
1000 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-3886 (Columbia)
Hours of Operation
The area is open during daylight hours 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.
Photographs
Description
Savannah River Bluffs HP Trail Map
The 83.84-acre Savannah River Bluffs Heritage Preserve is just outside the city limits of North Augusta in Aiken County. The preserve has 1,076 feet of river frontage on one of the few remaining river shoals of the Savannah River. These shoals harbor the rare Rocky Shoals Spider Lily. The river also has rock formations that may be remnants of ancient Native American fishing weirs.
The foot trail was built to facilitate public use of the preserve. The trail parallels a stream to the river bluffs, then follows an old logging road back to the power line. The trail passes rock formations, the Savannah River, and interesting forest and plant communities.
The Savannah River corridor brings the habitat of the coastal plain into the piedmont of South Carolina and Georgia. Spanish Moss, Bald Cypress, and Saw Palmetto lend coastal flavor to the area.
The property preserves a piece of South Carolina's natural heritage, including habitat for some very rare plants, such as Relict Trillium, which is on the federal endangered species list. Bottle-brush Buckeye, Upland Swamp Privet, Yellow-wood, False Rue Anemone, and other rare or special-status plants also grow here.
A group of local volunteers, called the Savannah River Bluffs Stewardship Committee, helps take care of the property. Members of the committee build trails and footbridges, post boundaries, pick up litter, help control invasive plants, and help keep watch over the area. They also offer input concerning preserve management and regulation.