Woods Bay State Natural Area

Woods Bay State Park encompasses a total area of about 1590 acres of parkland in the coastal plains region of South Carolina. The park is situated close to Olanta town in Florence County, South Carolina. There are several routes that you can take to the park including through the U.S. Highway 378 West from Myrtle Beach and Conway or by using the I-95.

One of the unique features of the Woods Bay State Park is that it offers one of the last remaining large Carolina Bays which are on the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain. Another unique interest and attraction of this park is the varied range of habitats including sandhills, marsh, shrub bog, and oak-hickory forest. These varied habitats are accessible to park visitors through nature trails that loop around the mill pond or through a boardwalk that is about 1,150 feet long. 

The boardwalk provides good glimpses of alligators in the cypress-tulepo swamp. However, the preferred way to explore the diverse flora and fauna within the park is through a canoe trail that takes visitors past the Carolina Bay. The park is also a Heritage Trust site.

Other attractions to the park include several other recreational activities that visitors can appreciate including fishing, canoeing, hiking, interpretive programs, bird watching, picnicking, and geocaching. Amenities at this park include a nature center, picnic shelter, and canoe rentals.

If you have a dog, you can also bring them to the park to enjoy most of what the park has to offer. Generally, you can take your pooch to most outdoor areas of the park. Indoor areas and areas around park buildings should be avoided. You are also expected to keep your dog leashed or under secure confinement at all times. The dog's leash must be no more than six feet in length. Any disturbance to the wildlife within the park will not be tolerated and this means that you must ensure that your dog remains well-behaved at all times.