Caw Caw Interpretive Center

We decided to stop into Caw Caw with our gold pass on an overcast afternoon. The temps were in the 70s and it was absolutely perfect! Julia (I believe the was her name) was super helpful at giving us all the information we needed for our time here at the center. She gave us history and trail info, and a scavenger hunt for the kids to do on our walk! The trails aren't paved, but flat enough for almost anyone to walk on without issue. Some were a little bumpier than others, but overall, very accessible.. And wide! We enjoyed the quiet atmosphere, nature sounds, beautiful views of the grass swaying in the wind and even saw a few American Alligators! The facilities were all very clean. We look forward to returning!

First time there, didn't get to see anything exciting, walk was a little long and boring. Maybe it was the wrong time of year to visit. For a kids field trip this might not be the place to take them.. they were complaining about the long walk, being hot and mosquitoes, however they were capturvated by the lab... hands on, Maybe you guys should build from that..

Absolutely immersive and beautiful grounds. Well maintained trails. Abundant wild life. (Go early morning for best views!). Birders paradise. Friendly staff. There is an entrance fee unless you have the Charleston County Parks Gold Pass. No cash accepted. Strongly recommend bringing water with you on the well marked trails. Bug spray applied prior is a must (please don’t spray it when you get to the trail!). Wear supportive shoes or hiking boots! There are benches scattered on the trail. A lot of shade, but still a ton of sun. Wear a hat! Bring binoculars! Get out the polarized sunglasses and enjoy the outdoors!

Nice and quiet location to walk and bird watch. The hardwood loop section is more of an animal trail so be prepared to walk single file and watch for all the spider webs across the trail. Cute little gift shop by the education center and bathrooms.

The rice fields trail and swamp sanctuary trails were gorgeous. Bring bug spray for the swamp trail. We saw several birds, lizards, and dragon flies in July. Unfortunately the indoor exhibit center is closed for renovation.

Really lovely walking trails! The actual interpretive center was closed when we went through at 4 but the rice fields were beautiful and so was the board walk

It is a great place to get a look at the diverse SC wildlife habitats. Bring your binoculars, bug spray, and see something more beautiful than boring shops and crusty old houses! Great for families and anyone who likes easy hikes and wildlife. Visit in the morning after a rain and see the amazing fungi that are everywhere along the paths.

This is a must visit if you are a nature lover. I would recommend going in with atleast 3 hours. You need to give yourself time to immerse in the surroundings. The place is teeming with birds. You need to have an ear and a sharp eye to spot them. There are alligators, you will see them. I spotted an armadillo. The people managing the centre are very knowledgeable and want you to enjoy the place. I went almost during the closing time and Jennifer made sure that I came out safely before the closing time :) It’s recommended that you carry bug repellents.

This is my favorite county park! It's quiet and peaceful for nature hikes. Every time I visit I see something amazing. Today it was Swallow-tail Kites soaring overhead. A walk through the cypress swamp let me discover a beautiful yellow Prothonotary Warbler. The staff is so knowledgeable here and super welcoming! This is a must see if you're visiting Charleston.

Great outdoor nature excursion for just a $2 per person entry fee. Multiple trails to walk and enjoy nature, see wildlife and get some exercise. You could easily spend an entire day here and walk several miles without covering the same area twice. They have over 11,000 acres of swamp/marsh, grassland and wooded areas. Bring your camera for some beautiful nature shots. They have a few benches around the park for you to rest/relax. A portion of the nature area used to be a rice plantation. The visitors center adjacent to the parking lot provides a little history for those interested, and has a few items for sale. Bathrooms are available. Pets and bikes are prohibited. Bring bug spray! During our visit we saw several alligators, lizards, squirrels, baby toads, turtles, one small snake, a marsh rat/mouse (who wasn't remotely scared of us), and of course many birds. Be aware you can encounter alligators on the trails and low boardwalks, and there's nothing separating you from them; a very friendly nature center employee said they never have incidents, but the risk is higher in the Spring when males are vying for females. And if you see very young baby gators, remember mom may be nearby.

This park comprises a large area that I spent several hours exploring. A mere $2 a person admission charge hardly registers. Wherever the rest of their money comes from, the place was well put together with a nice modern visitor center and some reasonably well-maintained paths and boardwalks traversing a variety of terrain. Much of the area is former rice fields, and while nature is the main attraction, there is historical signage about the plantation era and a major rebellion that occurred in the area so you can get some history knowledge as well. Another section contains some tea plants which were brought for commercial purposes but now grow wild. Tea leaves apparently require some considerable processing to become tasty so sniffing one is not an especially rewarding experience. There was plenty of wildlife on display, as well as a surprisingly large number of people. Other than the visitor facilities that exist now, it's the sort of place that I'm glad doesn't have a ton of development and I would certainly recommend coming in to visit and support it.

What a lovely park! With a Charleston county parks pass, we got free admission, though the fee is only a modest $2. I was in the mood to see some animals, you know the feeling when you just need to connect with nature. We stopped in the visitors center and learned more about the diversity of wildlife living in the park, as well as the progression of rice fields and how their decline led to the development of this area. A few trails to choose from, we started on the swamp loop and it took us through the park on a boardwalk, which is always fun to walk on. We saw different types of birds mainly, no alligators unfortunately but that was probably because of the winter season. The coolest part of our visit was one of the volunteers stationed by the rice fields with a telescope (?) fixed towards the trees. There was a mama eagle on a nest tending to her eggs! Wish we could've seen more wildlife while we were there but this is such a cool park and I would recommend it while in Charleston.

Caw Caw Interpretive Center is one of my favorite spots of all time. This is an incredible wildlife preserve located in Ravenel. I always take out of town friends here when they visit. There are more than 6 miles of walking trails. You can visit the wetlands, natural trails, swamp trails and see beautiful wildlife up close and personal. We saw nesting wood storks, Baby alligators sunning themselves on a rock and much more. You can tour the former rice fields and read signage with all of the historical information about this place. Since it is a nature preserve, dogs are not allowed. There is a park office with pictures of the different wildlife in the center along with a gift shop with lots of great things to purchase. Out front there are picnic tables, benches and rocking chairs. We often pack a picnic lunch to eat in the park before or after hiking the trails. Restrooms are available at the park. The trails are well maintained and flat so suitable for almost everyone. This is a must see!

Found an awesome park, Caw Caw Park. If you love the outdoors, you'll love this park. It's free to get in with a Charleston county Parks pass or $3 a car load if you don't have a parks pass. The park has an interpretive center that gives you some history as well as educates you on the types of animals you may encounter while in the park. If you love hiking, you'll love this park. There are tons of hiking trails through what used to be rice fields as well as through wooded areas in the park. The park has several boardwalks with very scenic views of the park. You are likely to encounter wildlife during your walk, such as alligators, deer, and a variety of different birds. The park has some picnic tables and shelters where you can enjoy a quick lunch or just sit and rest a while. This park is truly a gem and well worth the time it takes to drive out to Ravenel, SC.

What an awesome County Park!! There are trails and boardwalks everywhere throughout the marshes and wetlands. You could easily spend all day here! Pack a picnic and enjoy the scenery! The kiddos loved the amazing exhibit hall and the whole family enjoyed walking through the rice fields and yea farm! Just beware of alligators, we saw a few really big ones in the rice fields near the walking paths. If you are a bird watcher, you will be in heaven.. there are so many different species! We saw swallow tailed kites, egrets, osprey and even a bald eagle. Please note: there are no bikes or dogs allowed in the park to preserve the quiet environment needed to enjoy the wildlife.

Overall: A great option to get away and indulge in lowcountry nature. The good: There's a little something for everyone - you have the visitor center for history buffs, boardwalk paths for some wetlands vibes (saw a water moccasin on the prowl ((not on the path)), rice fields paths and wooded trails. Saw a massive gator and lots of local birds, not to mention just a very peaceful vibe. The not-so-good: There aren't any restrooms once you get past the main entrance (as far as I know). Some of the trails are very narrow/overgrown, and others are prone to flooding (but that's part of the area too of course).

Great little find while road tripping to Hilton head. $2 entry fee which grants you access to a bunch of well maintained trails and an informative visitor center. We spotted an alligator from the walkway, resting in the swamp which was pretty cool. Luckily we didn't see any snakes which they warned us of. Great pitstop to stretch your legs!

Great way to pass a Saturday afternoon, lots of different walking paths based on your preference and abilities. The paths aren't properly labeled so you'll definitely get turned around as we were but all good. We looked at the map about 500 times.

Trails last forever. Beautiful park to enjoy before Charleston becomes a concrete jungle with how much is being developed. Protect the Swamp!!!!

A wonderful day of low intensity level walking/hiking around beautiful scenery- a mix of all the low country can offer! Swamp! Gators just chillin'! Rice fields! Grassy knolls! Wooded trails! Boardwalks and birding! Def check this place out - or don't, so we can have all 6-ish miles or so to ourselves.

This is such an underrated spot right outside of Charleston. There are eight trails to choose from with varying lengths. The trails were easy/low intensity since there isn't much elevation in the Lowcountry. This would make a great date location when you want to switch up the typical dinner/drinks date. The entrance fee is $2.00 and it gives you access to the bathrooms, etc. It really blows my mind that this place is located so close to Charleston. Once you're on the trails, it feels like you're far away in the mountains. If you want to escape and be surrounded by quiet and nature, this is a great option. I could have spent hours there and I absolutely plan to go back (hopefully with someone who has a better sense of direction than I do, but that's a me problem, not Caw Caw's fault).

Had a great walk through the county park on Sunday with the family. Kids enjoyed it, even though they don't enjoy long walks as much as my wife and I do. There was plenty to see on the few trails that we walked on. I am looking forward to going back and seeing the remaining trails. We took the shorter loop through the swamp along the boardwalk, and then a trail down through the old rice fields. Saw a couple of gators just hanging out in the sun. Bumped into a few people we knew from the neighborhood and work along the trails. Lots of scenic areas for taking pictures. How have I not been here before, after living in the area for over five years, and it's 15 minutes from my house? This won't be the last trip to Caw Caw, that is for sure.

Great place to visit with your family or little ones! Saw tons of wildlife from a safe and comfortable distance. Easy to find, tons of parking and multiple trails to walk.

This is a great place to visit for a leisure walk, to get your steps in, or to simply learn and teach your kids about the plantations. Though this place does do a good job explaining rice cultivation in SC's history, it does so while wearing rose-colored glasses. There are many trails, and the park does a good job with signage. We love coming here for our walks and saw a few gators, snakes, and birds during our visit. There are also a variety of trails to choose from, depending on what you want to see, how much you want to walk, and whether you want to face more sun or shade. As a person who is directionally challenged, I love that it is very hard to get lost in this park.

This is a nature oasis located a little outside West Ashley heading towards Hollywood/Savannah. The trails are clearly marked with a combination of wooded areas and marsh trails. You are sure to spot turtles and gators and lots of Seacoast birds. It's a great family place with areas to explore for kids of all ages. I love taking my class to the educational programs where the kids learn about ecosystems, zoology and botany from naturalists. This is one of my favorite nature oasis spots to unwind and reconnect to nature. Make sure to climb the huge chairs and take a picture overlooking the lowlands.

Have you ever instantly been attached to a place? Caw Caw is one of my places. I felt complete bliss there. It stays with you. Caw Caw is so well run that I thought that it was a state park. It is a county park. There is plenty of parking. Bring binoculars. Go to the gift shop and get bug spray. It is all natural there, and it works. The wares are affordable, and the employees are very, very nice. There is a hands-on exhibit, and anyone can touch snakeskin and turtle shells. There is a water fountain and the bathrooms are clean. Make sure you have lots of water with you, even jackets, too. Hats are a plus. It can get really hot out there. Sunscreen is a must. There are maps at the main building; make sure you get one to map out your route. Some paths take you to big water, some go right to the heart of the swamp. Some areas are muddy, some are accessible on elevated, wooden paths. There are benches here and there. Same with wooden decks for viewing birds. We saw a baby alligator right away. We saw egrets and herons. I made friends with a wasp hunter. Saw a cool bee mimic, and a stuffed snake. Otter footprints and turtle eggshells. Lizards that flashed on and off. Tiny frogs and blue sky. Dragonflies that had no fear. Giant spiders waiting on chance. A coyote footprint? I was overwhelmed with peaceful joy. The best part was when my husband almost stepped on the water moccasin. I later found out that is how almost everyone comes into contact with a cottonmouth. This was not a singular event. They hiss first to warn you. The cottonmouth managed to separate our party, and we had to wait for him to slither into the water. My older daughter and I felt the danger, and reveled in it. She had to be contained, and burst into angry tears. Do not pick anything or be really loud. This park closes at dusk, which is an excellent rule. We went to Caw Caw twice. It is that good. Caw Caw is calling you. Heed it.

Beautiful walks through swamp, woods, and old rice fields. We saw tons of wildlife (bald eagles, turtles, snakes, alligators, egrets, etc.) All for $2 per person (or free with parks pass).

Beautiful place! We stopped by on our way home from Charleston! This is a fabulous day for your entire family

This is a hidden gemstone not too far from Charleston. Located just inside the ACE Basin, CawCaw Interpretive Center is a low impact wildlife preserve, meaning pets and bicycles are NOT permitted. There are numerous, well-maintained trails that take you through the wetlands, forests, and rice fields that make up the park. I highly recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and at only $2/person, this is a fun and cheap way to get out of the house and learn a bit about local history as well as to see many wild creatures in their natural habitats including alligators and eagles!

I love this park! It's a perfect nature getaway from Charleston. Took me a little less than 30 minutes to get there from downtown and I walked the longest trail, the habitat loop trail. The length was perfect, 3.6 Miles and it goes through 4 different habitats. Swamp, wetlands, and marine and hardwood forests. Cost is $2 per visit and they take cards if you don't have cash. I will go again because it's convenient to get to and I only passed a few people during my entire walk. The perfect nature escape and gorgeous scenery!

This is NOT a biking trail. I took my bike out there for a ride, only to find out they don't allow bikes in the park. Just a heads up.

This is definitely a gem for the lowcountry. It's a little bit of a drive, but you will not be disappointed. The park is over 700 acres of pristine nature with swamp, marsh and bottomland forest. It's the site of the 1740 Stono rebellion , as well as the old rice ponds with working damns. I'm a nature and history freak, so this place is one of favorite places to go. On Wednesdays, they do guided nature bird walks at 0830, which is another fantastic way to see and learn about the over 100 species of birds, both indigenous and migratory. Plus, you will definitely see alot of gators, my favorite creature of the lowcountry! There's miles of walking trails that loop around the old rice fields, in the forest and through the marsh along the swamp. If you are a nature enthusiast or you just want to get exercise and get fresh air , you must go! It's definitely worth taking any family, friends and visitors to and it's great for our local economy and parks system

The interpretive center and the birding tour (Wednesday and Saturday from 8:30-10:30am) were incredible. About 8 miles of trails / paths and an absolutely amazing opportunity to see dozens of varieties of birds, alligators and much much more. The staff are world class naturalists. This is a MUST DO activity for anyone coming to the Charleston area. We will be back again and again.

This place is gorgeous!! Pay your $2/pp at the gift shop, grab a map and enjoy the walk through the swamp and other areas. We saw three snakes and at least 7 gators. Wear comfy shoes because it is a lot of walking. It can also be muddy in parts so don't wear brand new, white shoes! You may want to wear some bug spray, though we didn't have problems without it because it was windy and overcast when we were there. I love that this is a county park and so inexpensive. We will definitely be back!

Nice place out in the middle of nowhere. If you want to see a rice plantation but don't want to pay the excessive tourist prices, here's the boned down version. Its a nature preserve, so the focus on the wildlife and landscape but they capture a little bit of the history as well. For a $1 entrance, you can't beat it. The center is nice and new with plenty of things to read and things for the children to interact with (stick your hand in the mystery box and try and figure what's in it!) There's sound recordings and kiosks throughout the park which are informative and well constructed. Although we didn't see any herons or egrets we did see lots of baby alligators! Beware though, these muddy marshes have an air force of mosquitoes! Come prepared with long sleeves and pants and plenty of bug spray (somehow my deet formulated bug spray didn't even keep them at bay) There can be nothing more peaceful then the beauty of the clouds reflecting of the rivers lined by rice crops. If you look hard enough through the waters, you might be able to spot a large crab scurrying away.

Amazing. Trail system that provides easy walking and secluded views. Lots of neat little spots to sit and take in nature. I loved the observation posts with details on the rice plantation and how it had shaped the recovered landscape. Don't skip the swamp walk. The visitor center provided a friendly weather of resources and clean bathrooms. Plan for a few hours to take in most of the walking trails and read all the neat signage.

Lots of trails and information signs. Lots to see and well worth a visit if you like nature. Friendly people who seem happy to work here and share. We saw multiple types of birds and know there is more wildlife to see if we come back. We visited in November 2017.

To get this close to the various ecosystems in the region is definitely worth checking out. I've found with the interconnecting of trails you can easily do 3-4 miles/visit and have plenty of options for future visits. Insect repellent and a bottle of water recommended.

Beautiful scenery. The park is well maintained and the gift shop staff are very friendly and helpful. Various trail routes to choose from so you can select the route most interesting to you. You might see an alligator!

For the $2 it costs to get in, this place is a fun little day adventure. Easy walks through different settings, a cute little shop with South Carolina finds and information on the animals you may see. We go just to get away and walk through nature for a bit. We've seen baby alligators, the kite birds, lots of lizards, and it's a relaxing place to stroll.

Wow, we had a great time here, hubby is a nature freak and could have spent so much more time here. The cost to get in is crazy low, you wander at your own pace, there is plenty to look at, keep your eyes open for the gators that roam free, I almost came too close to one by accident. Just an amazing natural park. Be sure to wear the bug spray though!

We had driven past the entrance on our way from Charleston to Edisto Beach and thought we should stop by on the way back for a brief hike. Glad we did. What a serene visit this was. Able to see the various ecosystems and wildlife. Well maintained with friendly and informative staff who helped us understand the area's history with rice farming and how that worked with the tidal forces. I'd love to come back here (not during hot summer months) to hike more of the trails.

Kind informative naturalists, beautiful setting with lots to learn and see. Whether you are visiting or live in the low country... Worth a visit. You never know what Mother Nature will show you.

Very nice place and not too far from Charleston. Very nice area to take a stroll in and just like any national park its just a dollar. Lots of great wildlife to observe: birds, reptiles, crabs, fish. Nice stroll around their perimeter as you get woods, boardwalks, rice fields, swamps, etc. Great picnic areas too. My husband and I will definitely go back. The only downside is that you (understandably) can't bring your dog since this is a wildlife preserve.

We didn't get to see the park. We packed up a picnic and the bikes and headed to the park. Wasn't until we got there that we read bikes weren't allowed or pets. Pretty disappointed as that was our plan for the day. We don't want others to make this mistake. Upon revisiting the website we saw the notice...at the bottom of the page near the hours of operation. Easy to overlook. Plus we found this park after a Google search for bike routes. I'm sure others have had this same disappointment. Maybe make it a BOLD statement on your website.

The park is huge and filled with wildlife. My friend and I were limited on time but the staff in the gift shop were friendly and helpful in suggesting trails that would best fit our time frame. While walking, we ran into one of the staff who leads the bird watching groups, Tess. She was incredibly nice and offered to accompany us. She showed us the eagles nest, popular alligator spots, and identified birds. Overall, it was a wonderful experience. I will definitely return.

so far my favorite set of hiking trails in the more immediate Charleston area. absolutely beautiful surroundings, wild life, seclusion. it has it all. get out here for a solid 3-4 hours and you'll feel better about the rest of your day (and the other reasons you use yelp - to stuff your face).

Loved it. I went hiking here a month back, and it changed my life. Mostly because I dressed up in a full regalia chicken costume that I got from my buddy Gob, and attracted the affection of a lonely bald eagle. We mated, which was rather awkward because I wasn't wearing any makeup and I usually wear make-up when I mate with bald eagles. Anyway... here I am a month later and a baby bald eagle busted out of my chest just last night. I feel like a proud Sigourney Weaver. Thank you, Caw Caw.

Wonderful trails, some wooded, some boardwalks, some through the marshes. Very pretty. Lots of wildlife! Grab a map at the visitor center and bring your bug spray.

I agree with Dana. This place is a hidden gem of Charleston. I found this place while looking for local hiking spots. It is great for a relaxing nature walk and the one dollar entrance fee is a nice change of pace. Not many people frequent the trails so it is a great way to get back to nature. The trails are well marked and easily traversed.

I worked here many, many, many years ago and recently went back for a visit. It is still one of the best kept secrets in the Charleston area. It is not only a beautiful, natural location but the educational programming is top-notch. I highly recommend taking advantage of this gem.

This place is great for what it is: a nature preserve and walking trail. It's not among the top attractions in Charleston, but is a good place for locals to take a walk in the woods. My favorite trails are the waterfowl and marsh trails. You can see osprey and alligators. In fact, they have one VERY large gator who makes appearances in the water fowl area. Skip the bottomland forest trail, there's nothing to see there.

The wife and I walked around here for nearly 2 hours. Gorgeous swamp boardwalk. Very peaceful saw a handful of alligators, even saw one eat a bird. $2 for 2 hours of peaceful non crowded SC landscape? I think so!