Put simply, agritourism is the intersection of agriculture and tourism. Berkeley County, South Carolina, is the heartbeat of agritourism, with an astounding 11 farms in the area. Wherever you are on the green thumb spectrum, there is a warm and fuzzy feeling that comes with the harvest season. No matter if you are strolling a corn maze, picking a pumpkin, or taking the path less traveled on a trail, your family will quickly find Berkeley County to be a fall favorite.
Stroll and Take Your Pick Right on the Farm
What’s more fun than navigating a corn maze on a crisp fall day? West Farm Corn Maze has been family-owned for 18 years and is synonymous with a 2.9-mile corn maze sure to entertain the entire family. Use a map to follow twists and turns in the maze to pass all the checkpoints along the way. No worries if you have toddlers or little tykes – there is a 0.4 mile corn maze just for them to get in on the action, too. Make the experience complete with a hayride and an apple sling shot. You may even see some alpacas and chickens!
To immerse yourself in the inner workings of organic farming, check out Hometown Roots Farm. Hometown Roots Farm is a hot spot for the “green food movement.” Their crops are free from GMOs, pesticides, insecticides, synthetic fertilizers, and chemicals. Chat with your kiddos about these buzzwords and their impacts on overall health as you peruse their pumpkin patch. Once you find the perfect one, carefully cut the pumpkin fresh off the vine to take this fall favorite home with you.
If you have a taste for seasonal produce picked fresh that morning, Hickory Bluff Berry Farm is your place. In November, stop by for a fresh vegetable stand. From greens to cucumbers and okra, you can find just the right side item for dinner tonight or your next pickling project. Various jams and salsas made from produce on the property are also available. Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are grown for “U-pick” when in season, too. Make those plans to return now in the warmer weather for more agri-fun!
Take in the Fall Foliage
Francis Marion National Forest
If your family is in the mood to work up a bit of a sweat while experiencing nature in its purest form, plan to visit Francis Marion National Forest. The Francis Marion National Forest is home to a massive offering of trails with varying lengths, all along diverse landscapes – from lakes to swamps and pristine fields of pine trees. Travel the Palmetto Trail, also known as South Carolina’s longest pedestrian and bicycle trail. Over 350 miles are already constructed, with 500 continuous miles of cross-state adventures stand to be charted when the project is complete!
The Lake Moultrie Passage and Swamp Fox Passage are particularly noteworthy along the Palmetto Trail. Lake Moultrie Passage boasts coastal hiking trails with panoramic views that are anything but ordinary. You will not regret taking in sunset at Pinopolis East Dike! Wadboo Swamp, Turkey Creek, or Dog Swamp are must-see spots along the Swamp Fox Passage, which is the longest section of the Palmetto Trail – almost 46 miles in total. You may even see an endangered red-cockaded woodpecker in the pines!
Fall – the golden hour of every calendar year – is upon us. As autumn is in full swing, take your family to Berkeley County to immerse yourselves in the harvest season thanks to the area’s plentiful offerings in agritourism.
