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3 Underrated Winter Hikes Around Manning, South Carolina

Hikes Around Manning, South Carolina
If you love the outdoors, you probably desire cooler weather. If so, good news! There are some great hikes that get even better in the winter months. Here's a look at some of the most underrated winter hikes in the Manning, South Carolina area.

Congaree National Park

This South Carolina gem is one of the oldest bottomland hardwood forests in the state. With most of the park situated at the bottom of a flood plain, there is very little elevation change, making this a great place to hike for novices. There are also eight trails to choose from at Congaree National Park, some as short as 0.3 miles. For the seasoned hiker, the park offers trails over 11 miles long. All trails wind through this beautiful forest starting from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. The Boardwalk Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop with a slight elevation change to the bottom of the flood plain. The trail is wheelchair accessible, and has benches along the way. For another fairly easy hike, the Bluff Trail loops north from the visitor center for 1.7-mile hike through young loblolly trees, and pines. If you want a longer hike, check out the Oakridge Trail. This is a 7-mile hike across a ridge of old oaks. The low-lying sloughs across this ridge line offer plenty of shelter to deer and wild turkey.

Poinsett State Park

Accessed from Poinsett Park Road in Wedgefield, South Carolina, the Poinsett State Park is a great place for hiking in winter. The 10-acre pond offers plenty of winding trails with very little elevation change, making this a great location for casual hikes. The Park is nestled in the High Hills of Santee, and includes a dozen trails of varying length and skill level. The kids will love the quick 0.2-mile Levi's Run. If you want a view, try the Hill Top Trail. This short 0.4-mile trail will take you up quickly. If you plan on spending the day, the Whippoorwill Trail offers 5.4 miles of hiking through the beautiful hills. You can see animals like deer, and birds of all types. The park offers cabins for rent, and a camping area too. There are park offices and restrooms, and plenty of trail signs so you don't get lost.

Ann Springs Close Greenway

This nature preserve is located in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and accessed via the Greenway Gateway on Adventure Road. The serious hiker can join their hiking club, which regularly explores this 2,100-acre wonderland. The novice will enjoy guided hikes through the region, while you learn about nature and the local wildlife. History buffs will enjoy hiking a portion of the famous Nation Ford Road. This was once part of the main roadway stretching from Augusta, Georgia all the way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There's also the Garrison-Webb Gristmill to visit. Check out this historic 1780 gristmill, which served the local area for over 100 years. You'll hike trails that have been used for nearly 250 years. There are plenty of winter hiking venues in the Manning, South Carolina area. The next time you're looking for a fun day outdoors, you should check out one of these three great places. image via pixabay 
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Discover Downtown Manning, SC

Discover Downtown Manning, SC

If you're up for a day of walking and learning something new about Manning, South Carolina, there are some great ways to discover the city. Downtown Manning is full of history, local charm, and southern hospitality. Here's how you can spend a day taking in all that this town has to offer. more Tour the Historic District The Manning Historic District consists of 63 different buildings that have played a part in the establishment and evolution of the town since the 1800s. Starting in the Courthouse Square, the center of town when it was laid out in 1856, walk around and through several of the architectural treasures of the city. Keep an eye out for the Clarendon County Courthouse, Alderman's 20 in One Store, the People Bank and Trust Building, and the Levi Building. On North Brooks Street in Downtown Manning, you'll find the Clarendon Chamber building. Don't miss the historic marker outside the building and the Francis Marion statue. Francis Marion was known as the Swamp Fox for his early use of guerilla warfare against the British army during the Revolutionary War. Follow Along the Swamp Fox Murals Trail American history buffs will love to see the Swamp Fox Murals in Manning. Twelve of the murals along the trail are found in the downtown Manning area. The towns of Paxville, Turbeville, and Summerton host the other murals from the collection. The Clarendon County app is available for your phone and will help you find the various murals and tell their stories. Maps are available online to help you follow the story as you see the trail. The Swamp Fox Murals are painted on the sides of various buildings in Clarendon County and depict scenes from the American Revolution and the battles and historic moments that happened along the Santee River. If you have time, consider jumping in the car and visiting the other sites of the Swamp Fox Murals Trail outside of Manning. The newest addition to the murals is in Turbeville. All four towns are within a 25-minute drive of one another, so it won't take much of your day. Enjoy Dinner at Porter Jacks Grill On South Mill Street in the heart of Manning, Porter Jacks Grill is a local favorite spot for dinner and comfort food. Start with some potato skins and crispy, thin onion rings. If you like seafood, be sure to try the deviled eggs and fried oysters. Main course options include a mouth-watering BBQ Pork Rib-Eye and four different cuts of perfectly-prepared steak. For a traditional southern meal, the Charleston Style Shrimp and Grits are a Porter Jack favorite with shrimp, Andouille sausage, and peppers. If your long day of touring the town has taken your energy, consider ordering online and picking up your food to enjoy at home. Their full menu is available, so you won't have to prepare anything yourself. Don't miss out on the rich history of Manning and the surrounding area. You never know what interesting things have taken place around you until you take the time to learn and investigate. image via pixabay

Fun Day Trips from Manning, SC

Fun Day Trips from Manning, SC

There's nothing quite like the excitement of planning a day trip to experience an adventure to a new destination. With a variety of places to discover near Manning, you can create a day to remember. more Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center Less than an hour's drive away, the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center will keep you entertained with its season of scheduled entertainment. For the upcoming season, the center has an exciting lineup of entertainment. From the South Carolina Dance Theatre putting on its presentation of the Nutcracker and Swan Lake performed by the National Ballet Theatre of Odessa, Ukraine to jazz, tenors, pianists, and legendary singers, the center offers a memorable day trip enjoying the performances of talented artists. The ticket office is open from noon until to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Santee State Park Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy their time at Santee State Park less than an hour from Manning in Lake Marion. With 2,500 acres filled with beauty, beaches, and boating along with fishing, hiking, and wildlife observation, your day trip will be jam-packed with activities. Extend your day trip into a weekend getaway and bring along your tent, or rent one of the cabins built above the lake. There's a pier, boat launch, and geocaching sites for even more things to do. EdVenture Children's Museum A little over an hour away in Columbia, you won't want to miss taking your children to EdVenture Children's Museum. Touted as the "largest children's museum in the south" and home to the Eddie, the world's largest child. The museum offers 92,000 square feet of fun and 300 exhibits providing hands-on interactive fun for kids 10 years of age and younger. There's fun for all with galleries such as the Great Outdoors, Wags and Whiskers, FLIGHT, Autoworks, My Backyard, and more. The museum also offers a variety of programs for members, field trips, camps, and souvenirs at the EdCetera store. The museum is open Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. South Carolina State Museum Walk the walk of past residents when touring the South Carolina State Museum and seeing up-close many artifacts from the past. The museum is a blend of Columbia's culture and history with art and science to show the then and now of the vibrant city. Take time to check out the 4-D theater, which offers a unique experience. While watching the visual program, you'll be subjected to real environmental experiences such as vibrating seats, a quick blast of air, or a gentle spray of water to complement the exhibit and enhance the experience. When you need to refuel, the Crescent Cafe offers a tasty menu of delectable food and refreshing drinks. The museum is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.to 6 p.m., and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Whichever road you choose to follow for your day trip adventure, with the many places to travel to, you're sure to enjoy the journey from start to finish. image via pixabay

Five Reasons the 2026 Jeep Gladiator Should Be Your Next Midsize Truck

If you love adventure, you’ll love the 2026 Jeep Gladiator. Not only does this truck offer the practicality of a truck bed, but it also boasts remarkable off-roading skills, making it a well-rounded choice for Manning, Sumter, and Florence drivers. Designed for tough jobs and outdoor adventures, the durable Gladiator can switch from hauling a load of supplies or towing a trailer to exploring a rugged trail out in the wild. Featuring a 5-foot steel bed, a versatile design, advanced technology, towing strength, water fording ability, and rock crawling proficiency, the Jeep Gladiator for sale is ready for just about anything. If you’re looking for a capable, off-road-ready pickup truck for sale, find out why the 2026 Jeep Gladiator should be on your radar this year! more 2025 Jeep® Gladiator Mojave X Unmatched Open-Air Freedom One of the greatest advantages of the Jeep Gladiator is its open-air freedom, which enhances every adventure. Thanks to this truck’s fold-down windshield, easy-to-remove doors, and removable top options, you can let in the sunshine and fresh air for an unrestricted driving experience. So whether you’re traveling along the beach or navigating a rugged trail, you can enjoy every mile even more. Iconic Off-Road Skills There’s no holding back when it comes to off-roading in a 2026 Jeep Gladiator. Boasting unbelievable capability, this fearless truck is designed to take on sand, mud, rocks, and more without thinking twice. Designed with a water fording depth of 31.5 inches and armed with steel skid plates and many other off-road-ready features, the Gladiator dares to go farther. Want to push your adventures to the max? The Rubicon offers a ground clearance of up to 11.1 inches, the Mojave offers a ground clearance of 11.6 inches, and both trim levels are outfitted with 33-inch all-terrain tires. Impressive Towing & Hauling Capability The 2026 Jeep Gladiator features a 5-foot steel bed that’s ready to handle a variety of loads, from home improvement supplies to all of your beach gear. When properly equipped, Sport S trims can haul up to 1,720 pounds. When you need to tow a boat, camper, or trailer, the Gladiator can handle up to 7,700 pounds when properly equipped. Intuitive Technology The midsize Gladiator can keep adventure-seekers connected even in the wild with advanced features like a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen display, available Alexa Built-in, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The truck even offers an available TrailCam off-road camera that can boost driver confidence during off-road navigation. Plus, the standard eight-speaker sound system can be upgraded to an available nine-speaker Alpine® Premium Audio System on most trims to enhance your favorite adventure soundtrack. Highly Customizable Trims & Special Editions Available in a range of trim levels and even special editions, the 2026 Jeep Gladiator is designed to meet many different needs and preferences. Whether you choose the base trim level or the top trim level, the Jeep Gladiator takes every adventure to the next level and beyond. Here is the full Jeep Gladiator lineup for 2026: Sport Sport S Willys Sahara Rubicon Mojave Mojave X Rubicon X Limited edition models currently include: Gladiator Willys '41 Gladiator Shadow Ops Gladiator 85th Anniversary Edition Gladiator Whitecap Gladiator Rockslide Gladiator Rewind Gladiator Sarge And more on the way! You can further customize your Jeep Gladiator model with a range of quality Mopar accessories. Talk to our team today to learn how you can tailor your truck to fit your lifestyle! Visit Your Local CDJR Dealership for New Jeep Trucks! Ready to drive home a Trail Rated Jeep Gladiator? Shop our selection of new 2026 Jeep Gladiator models at Santee Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Manning today! And if we don’t have what you’re looking for in stock, you can place a custom order! Our team is committed to helping you upgrade to your ideal Jeep Gladiator model, whether that’s one from the current lineup or one of the special edition models. If you need more information about one of the Gladiator trim levels in our inventory or have questions about this off-road pickup truck’s performance, features, or accessories, please let us know! If you want to explore other pickup truck options, we recommend checking out our Ram truck inventory. As a trusted Ram and Jeep dealer near Sumter and Florence, we’re proud to serve drivers in the area and beyond. Come see us soon!