Givhans Ferry State Park, State park in Dorchester County, US
Givhans Ferry State Park spans about 1,235 acres (500 hectares) along the Edisto River and includes wooded areas, riverside paths, and four permanent cabins for overnight stays. The park sits at the endpoint of a lengthy blackwater river reach and provides different ways to engage with the water and forest together.
The park was created in 1934 as part of South Carolina's effort to develop public recreation spaces. Its facilities were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work organization formed during the economic crisis of the 1930s.
The park reflects traditional outdoor recreation that has long shaped life in the Lowcountry, where fishing, paddling, and walking through forests remain central to how people experience the river. The blackwater ecosystem defines the landscape and invites visitors to move through it in these time-honored ways.
The park operates from May through September with camping spots, trails for walking, fishing areas, and places to launch kayaks. It helps to arrive early in the day to secure a good spot and experience the best conditions for paddling or exploring on foot.
The park marks the end of one of North America's longest free-flowing blackwater river routes that people can paddle without interruption. Paddlers often complete a multi-day river journey here that began upstream at the neighboring Colleton State Park.
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