Welcome to Hitchcock Woods
Located in the heart of Aiken, South Carolina, the Hitchcock Woods is one of the largest urban forests in the nation. With 2,100 acres of forestland and 70 miles of sandy trails, the Woods are a haven for hikers, equestrians, dog walkers, runners, bird watchers and nature lovers and history buffs.
The extraordinary beauty of the Hitchcock Woods with its stunning variety of ecosystems is protected forever by a conservation easement held by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. In addition, the Hitchcock Woods has been designated as a South Carolina Heritage Trust site.
The Hitchcock Woods, which is privately-owned and managed by the Hitchcock Woods Foundation, is open to the public seven days a week from sunrise to sundown. Please click here to Plan Your Visit to this extraordinary natural area.
Did you know?
- A river of sand called “Sand River” runs through the Hitchcock Woods. After a heavy rain, the sand river becomes a real river for a short time, and the sand can become quicksand!
- In 1833 the longest railroad in the world and the first steam-powered railroad in the United States ran through the Hitchcock Woods. The Cathedral Aisle Trail that runs past Black Gum Pond was part of the old railroad bed.
For more amazing facts about Hitchcock Woods click here.
