Palmetto Trail

South Carolina's Largest Trail System

Palmetto Trail is dedicated to building, protecting and maintaining a statewide multi-use nature based trail that provides a continuous trail spanning from the mountains to the sea across South Carolina. Our mission is to promote the health and wellness of South Carolinians through outdoor recreational opportunities, foster economic vitality in our communities through eco-tourism, and inspire a deep appreciation and stewardship of South Carolina’s natural and cultural resources through conservation environmental education. Palmetto Trail, South Carolina’s largest trail system can be enjoyed by all in South Carolina, regardless of gender, race, creed, age, or ability.

In 1989, a small group of visionaries came together to establish the Palmetto Conservation Foundation. Their belief was simple yet powerful: by making South Carolina’s natural landscapes more accessible to the public, they could inspire greater conservation efforts. Since then, we’ve made remarkable progress—426 miles of the Palmetto Trail have been completed, bringing us closer to our 500-mile goal.

The Palmetto Trail is more than just a path; it’s a labor of love for everyone involved—those who build, maintain, plan, train, teach, and engage with the public to support this incredible public resource. Our team is as diverse as the trail itself: some work full-time, others part-time, and the vast majority are volunteers from across South Carolina who contribute their time and passion.

While creating new trail sections is undoubtedly exciting, maintaining the hundreds of miles of existing trail is a continuous, complex, and demanding task—one that never truly ends. We couldn’t achieve any of this without the support of our community.

Investing in the Palmetto Trail isn’t just about preserving our public lands; it’s about securing a legacy for future generations. Every step we take today shapes the landscapes and opportunities of tomorrow.