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Hidden Gem in Anderson, SC



The Rocky River Conservancy located off of Old Williamson Road in Anderson, SC is a local nature park with over a mile of trails and wetlands that is home to the largest swamp in the Upstate within city limits. The land is owned by Anderson University, and the RRC is a non-profit organization. According the RRC webpage, "The area may include up to 400 acres that comprise wetland areas; open water for canoeing and kayaking; walking, biking, equine trails; and a discovery center/environmental educational facility." More attention, and funding needs to be brought to the Rocky River Conservancy for it to become a go-to spot for outdoor lovers. Adding a few more miles of trails, a few primitive campsites, and eventually a wilderness center, the Rocky River park would overall boost the local ecosystem, economy, and overall quality of life for citizens of Anderson.
When first arriving to the park there is small gravel parking lot, located behind the Anderson University athletic campus. The park is also less than 2 miles from downtown Anderson, and can be easily missed by routine traffic. While walking the trails on Monday afternoon, I had to remind myself I was still in Anderson. Looking out into the swampy wetlands made me feel like I was in the low-country, or near the coastline. The park currently sits on 150 acres, although only a small portion of that land is accessible by the three trails well defined throughout the park. I started on the Cox Creek trail which left me walking down a path with luscious wetlands on both sides of me. The trail ended at the edge of the Rocky River. Only a small portion of the river could be seen, and there was a beautiful beaver dam in that area as well. I decided to take the Bluff trail on the way out, it was surprisingly different than the Cox Creek trail. The trail was a rocky red clay surface, that I believe floods when it rains. The trails look natural, and part of their magic is the overgrown wilderness surrounding them. I have to get give so many thanks to the people who work so hard to preserve this land, and bring something more to Anderson than another retail store or restaurant. 
I plan to go back to the Rocky River Conservancy park throughout the summer for bike riding and taking my dog for a morning adventure. Since the trails are novice this is a perfect place to for anyone to come visit. Whether you want to take your kids on an Saturday excursion, and don't want to hurt your wallet, or if you just need to relax in between errands, the Rocky River park is a perfect place to go. 

For more information about the Rocky River Conservancy check out their website, rockyriverconservancy.org 

















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