10 Reasons to Fall in Love With Berkeley County, South Carolina

I’d never heard of Berkeley County before I was invited to visit. What I found was one of the most history heavy, naturally beautiful and surprising places I’ve been in the south. Part of Santee Cooper Country on the eastern side of South Carolina, Berkeley County sits close enough to Charleston to be convenient but far enough away to have a completely different feel.

Even though I’d been to coastal Carolina plenty of times, I didn’t know how the Revolutionary War made up a huge part of South Carolina’s history and I was surprised to find out that Berkeley County was the setting for 32 battles during the war. And that history — among other things — is what blew me away. Here’s why it deserves a spot on your travel list.

Things to do in Berkeley County

Go for the history, stay for the adventure. Berkeley County sits along scenic rivers and lakes offering hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing and some of the best birding in the Lowcountry. But it’s not just an outdoor destination — the food is wonderful and the unique attractions scattered throughout the county make it one of the most layered destinations in South Carolina. It will appeal to, well, anyone — couples, families, solo travelers and everyone in between. The hardest part is deciding where to start.

1. Prime Location

With a population of approximately 232,000 people, Berkeley County isn’t huge but it’s not big city. Due to its proximity to Charleston, it’s one of the fastest-growing counties in South Carolina but still manages to maintain a friendly, small town community vibe. It’s no wonder people want to move there.

For travelers, it’s the perfect base for exploring not only everything the county has to offer but Charleston, the Carolina coast and even Congaree National Park are easily accessible.

Bonus: this part of South Carolina is also ideal for road tripping the state and beyond. Columbia, the state capital is less than two hours away, Savannah, Georgia is just over a couple of hours drive and Atlanta is four and half hours away. To get a visual, I’ve linked to Google Maps here.

2. Fascinating History

South Carolina, and Berkeley County in particular, is steeped in history for many reasons. One of the most significant reasons is that it was the backdrop of several pivotal battles during the American Revolution, including the Battle of Monck’s Corner and the Battle of Biggin Bridge.

These two battles were crucial in the American victory over the British and helped shape the future of the south and in turn the United States.

History buffs should be on the lookout for historical markers all over the county. One particularly popular stop in Berkeley County is Francis Marion’s Tomb. Most people might be familiar with Marion, aka the Swamp Fox, as the main character in the movie The Patriot, on whom the film is loosely based.

Marion was a Revolutionary War hero who led a rogue group of fighters against the British during the American Revolution. He’s quite the legend in this part of Berkeley County and in all of South Carolina really.

Finding out more about Francis Marion and visiting his burial site is a way to honor one of South Carolina’s heroes. The grave is located in a peaceful wooded setting in Belle Isle Plantation Cemetery and is an easy stop to include on a Berkeley County road trip.

3. Serene Rivers and Lakes

Home to impressive rivers and lakes, Berkeley County has plenty of chances for adventure with boating, fishing, and other water-based activities. Paddle a kayak on the Berkeley Blueways – a water adventure trail that includes 235 miles of fun with over 25 kayak trails for every skill level and suitable for the entire family. There’s even kayak camp trails for overnight camping.

The Santee Cooper Lakes are also highly popular with outdoor enthusiasts. The two lakes, Marion and Moultrie, offer some of the best fishing in the state, with species including largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie. Many of the lakefront areas have cabins and fish camps for stays right on the water.

The Cooper River is another ideal location for outdoor activities. The river is known for its excellent fishing, particularly for striped bass and catfish. Visitors can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and other water activities on this river as well.

4. Charming Small Towns

Meet Moncks Corner — the quaint county seat of Berkeley County with a big personality. The friendly locals, the delicious soul food and the historic buildings are a must-visit for anyone looking to sample a bit of southern hospitality.

Berkeley County is home to plenty of other welcoming small communities in the county. The tiny town of Cross is a close-knit rural community surrounded by farmland and forests on Lake Moultrie and offers visitors an variety of lakeside dining, camping and fishing fun.

5. Educational Museums

The Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center, located in Old Santee Canal Park, is another ideal destination for history lovers. The museum features artifacts and exhibits on the history of Berkeley County, from its Native American inhabitants to its role in the American Revolution.

On Daniel Island, the Keith School Museum, is a reconstruction of the original Keith School, which provided education to children from the local communities for 30 years at the height of Jim Crow segregation.

6. Unique Places

One of the things that really sets Berkeley County apart are the unique places scattered throughout the county. Take for instance, the opportunity to connect with your spiritual side. One such place to do that is at Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery founded by a group of monks in 1949.

The grounds surrounding the Abbey are beautiful and peaceful, featuring gardens, gorgeous huge trees, walking trails along the river and my favorite thing – a calming labyrinth full of colorful grasses and vibrant flowers ideal for a meditative experience.

When visiting the Abbey, don’t miss the Creations Gift Shop, which features handmade pottery, artwork and the fresh and dried oyster mushrooms grown onsite by the monks themselves. The gift shop is a great place to find other unique gifts and souvenirs that reflect the spiritual traditions of the monastery.

The monastery is open to visitors for tours and day trips and offers retreats, spiritual direction, and other programs to help people deepen their faith.

Another unique site in Berkeley County is Biggin Church — a colonial-era Anglican church that was built in the 1760s and used up until the Revolutionary War. Then during the war, British troops utilized the church to store ammunition. Sadly, when they retreated they burned the church down.

The haunting ruins are now one of Berkeley County’s most visited attractions. A nature trail winds through the site with interpretive signage that tells the story of the church’s history, and the old cemetery adds another layer of quiet history to the place. Birders and nature lovers love it too, which tells you something about how peaceful it is out there

7. Interesting Historic Homes

Like many places in the south, Berkeley County has a rich agricultural history — particularly in the cultivation of rice. The region’s low-lying swampy land is ideal for rice and as a result, many rice plantations were established during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Stony Landing — one of the most impressive homes homes open to the public is situated high on a bluff, overlooking the Cooper River. Named for the rich lime-rich clay found in the area, the colonial dates back to the late 18th century.

Since the house was located near an important early settler trade route and supplies were brought to the area from the river, the house has gone through many uses during its history. It first served as as a private residence and rice plantation. Later it was a Confederate Army headquarters during the Civil War.

Inside, the home features spacious rooms with high ceilings, intricate woodwork, and elegant furnishings that transport visitors back in time. Outside, the well-manicured grounds are dotted with flowering bushes and towering oak trees, full of that dreamy Spanish moss we all love.

8. Public Lands and Recreation Areas

With no shortage of public lands and parks, Berkeley County is a outdoor enthusiasts dream. Old Santee Canal Park gives visitors a chance to learn more about the history of the lakes and the canal that connects the Santee and Cooper Rivers.

The park offers an Interpretive Center, chronicling the area’s history through film and educational displays. Learn about the local flora and native fish and wildlife found in a cypress swamp. Visitors can also explore the park’s many trails and gardens.

Additionally, the nearby Francis Marion National Forest is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and fishing. With over 250,000 acres of forest to explore, there’s an abundance of trails and opportunities for outdoor adventure. The forest is home to a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and black bears.

9. Southern Comfort Food

Like so many other places in the south, Berkeley County prides itself on its delicious Southern cuisine, with more than a handful of great restaurants to choose from. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, a country-style meat and three or Carolina BBQ, you’re sure to find it in Berkeley County.

In Moncks Corner, I was introduced to the beauty of a BBQ buffet at Music Man BBQ with what looked like half the town also enjoying lunch. This was the first BBQ buffet I’ve run across in all my southern travels and I can’t say I’m upset about it.

Name your favorite BBQ choice and I’m sure they have it and all the homemade sauces to top it off. Bonus points for their mac-n-cheese – the tastiest, most creamy mac-n-cheese I’ve had in awhile.

Then on Daniel Island, I had the most fresh catch of the day and a carrot cake so good, I could have just eaten that for dinner. The Kingstide is a upscale eatery with awesome river views and a huge rooftop deck for enjoying the coastal views. Their menu is simple and has plenty of raw dishes – that means oysters – and and other tasty delights prepared over a wood-fire.

And in Cross, my lunch of fried fish was as delicious as the location. Mac Daddy’s, part of the Canal Lakes Fish Camp, sits directly on the Santee Canal where you’ll have the best views of the water and boat passing by while you dine. You might even spot some wildlife. We were lucky enough to see two eagles during our meal.

10. Cypress Gardens

If you only have time for one thing to do in Berkeley County, then Cypress Gardens is a must-visit destination. This stunning 170-acre oasis features a swamp and botanical gardens with a beautiful collection of plants, flowers, and trees. Visitors can explore the park via a boardwalk and paths that winds through the cypress trees or by boat – either on a guided tour or in your own canoe.

If the gardens look somewhat familiar, it’s because they are. Many Hollywood movies have used the tranquil setting as a filming location. The two most famous include the Patriot, that I mentioned above, and the Nicholas Sparks’ movie The Notebook.

The gardens are also home to an impressive variety of wildlife, including alligators, turtles, and egrets. In fact, the biggest alligator in captivity in South Carolina – all 14ft of him – lives in the park.

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Planning a Visit to Berkeley County

Thank you to Berkeley County Tourism and Santee Cooper Country Tourism for inviting me for a visit to learn a little about this remarkable area of South Carolina. As always, even though I was hosted, all the experiences and opinions are my own.

Berkeley County is a lovely and diverse area with friendly people and plenty of fun, different things to do. I hope you’ll add it to your wish list of southern destinations.

See you on the road!