WEDGEFIELD, SC - Palmetto Conservation Foundation opened the Palmetto Trail High Hills Outdoor Center in Wedgefield on March 1. The center, located next to Battens General Store on Hwy 261, will serve as an eco-tourism headquarters for the Wateree, Santee and Lake Marion areas with an emphasis on the High Hills. Open Friday – Sunday during the months of March – June, the center will provide visitors with information and trail maps on the many opportunities that are available for outdoor exploration. Organized hikes and tours will leave from the Center guided by naturalists, historians, and experienced trip leaders.

The center is a partnership project with SC Forestry Commission, SC Parks, Recreation & Tourism and the Sumter Chamber of Commerce. South Carolina’s state owned utility Santee Cooper has agreed to sponsor the High Hills Outdoor Center. Long a friend of the Palmetto Trail, Santee Cooper is also the sponsor of the Lowcountry Guide to the Palmetto Trail. The second edition of the guide will be released on the March 1 opening.

The natural beauty of Sumter County has been appreciated by locals for a long time. This new center will draw in regional and statewide visitors to experience hiking on the bluffs over the Wateree floodplain, kayaking in the beautiful waters of Sparkleberry Swamp, or mountain biking through the vast array of trails in Manchester State Forest. There are more than 26 miles for hiking and biking on the Lake Marion, High Hills, and Wateree Passages of the Palmetto Trail in Sumter County. Poinsett State Park and Manchester State Forest offer dozens more miles for mountain biking and horseback riding. The diverse topography from steep sandhills to swamp, the great variety of wildlife, and the accessibility of the area provides something for every nature lover.

This area is also steeped in history. Catawba Indians traveled the High Hills long before the Patriot armies used them for rest and resupply. Historic churches, the graves of prominent leaders, Revolutionary and Civil War sites and ruins are just a tour guide away for those interested in learning about the important contributions the High Hills have made.