Botany Bay Plantation

Trail Overview

Botany Bay Plantation is located at the tip of Edisto Island in South Carolina. The plantation is a total of 4,630 acres and consists of two historic plantations: Bleak Hall and Sea Cloud. In 1859, John Ferrars Townsend combined both plantations into the largest cotton plantations on the East Coast. By the 20th Century, the plantation was converted into harvesting timber and a managed habitat for wildlife. Today, the plantation is a mix of pine forests, agriculture fields, coastal wetlands, and a barrier island. The road is about 3-miles long and can take as long as you would like depending on the number of stops. At the information kiosk, there are maps and information on the historic structures on the property. At the end of the plantation is Driftwood Beach, a short 1-mile hike out to a beach covered with driftwood and old trees. Most of the trail does not have cell service, so download the route ahead of time or take a photo of the map at the information kiosk (there is only one way in and out). Botany Bay Plantation is CLOSED Tuesdays; drones and dogs are also not allowed on the beaches.

Difficulty

Road can get washed out after heavy rains. During summer months bad washboarding down the main road. Many people visit in small 2-Door sedans up to 4WD vehicles.

Technical Rating