40 Acre Rock – Edge of the World in the Middle of Nowhere

Nestled at the boundary of the Sandhills and Piedmont regions of South Carolina is 40 Acre Rock Heritage Preserve. While not truly 40 acres (the preserve is 2,965 acres according to SC DNR), the large chunk of granite is 14 acres and offers a view unique to the area. Hiking the trail here will lead you atop and across this huge boulder, plus affords you an opportunity to see a waterfall and slide (not for actual sliding, though), caves, a creek, and a pond, all surrounded by a variety of flora and fauna.

I had visited 40 Acre Rock a couple of times when I was a kid. Honestly, I hardly remember those trips and even since my newfound appreciation for nature and hiking that came about in 2013, I still never considered this place worth my time. However, my wife who had never been to this location, suggested having a family outing here in December 2020. Because of this, I can now say that only my lack of appreciation kept this place from sticking in my mind more concretely.

Being such a diverse geological site with so much to see, a hike at 40-acre rock is worth your time when in the area. So, strap on your daypack and hiking shoes, pack some snacks and plenty of water, and get ready to discover this beautiful preserve!

40 Acre Rock Quick Facts

Parking

There is an upper and lower parking lot at 40 Acre Rock. Both lots appear in Google Maps, so navigating to either will be easy.

• Upper Parking – Conservancy Road, Kershaw, SC
• Lower Parking – Nature Reserve Road, Kershaw, SC

Upper Parking

The upper lot is more popular given its closer proximity to the exposed rock formation and waterfall, but it is also smaller. It is located on Conservancy Road in Kershaw, SC. Parking spaces are not painted so park perpendicular to the road on the left when you reach the parking lot. You will know you are there when you see the white gate blocking vehicles from proceeding. If the lot is full, parallel park on the right side as far over as possible to ensure you do not block vehicles from leaving.

Lower Parking

The lower park lot offers quicker access to Flat Creek and the pond but is around one mile to the large rock formation. This lot is more open and less popular, so parking here will be easier and less crowded. It is located on Nature Reserve Road in Kershaw, SC.

Warning!

Unfortunately, 40 Acre Rock has suffered from constant vandalism throughout the years. Be prepared to possibly see vulgar and obscene graffiti painted on the rocks. However, do not let this deter you from visiting and seeing this amazing site.

What to bring on a hike

What you need will depend on when you hike and how long of a hike you are planning. In general, you should bring a daypack for carrying what you do decide to take. I personally use the REI Flash 22, but this one on Amazon from Teton Sports is a great option as well.

Wear a good pair of hiking shoes or boots with adequate grip. Aggressive tread is ideal when it comes to hiking over rocks, especially when conditions are wet. I am a fan of the Saucony Peregrines, which are designed for trail running but make excellent hiking shoes.

Bring snacks and water. And in case of an emergency, a water filter, first-aid kit, and a survival shelter are worth it.

If the potential for rain is in the forecast, bring rain gear. A simple poncho will suffice but a rain jacket and pants are also options. Read my article on hiking in the rain for a complete overview.

Last, I recommend adequate hiking clothes. Do not underestimate the value of a good pair of hiking pants! A non-cotton, moisture wicking shirt is ideal, especially when hiking in warmer weather.

Hiking the 40 Acre Rock Trail

Difficulty: Easy

You can begin a hike from either the upper or lower parking lot. The trail is a “figure 8”, but you can hike either half of the trail to complete a loop, or you can do an out and back. You can do a point-to-point hike as well if you have two vehicles available. If you aren’t sure of what these terms mean, read my article that covers everything for planning a hike.

Below is a map of the trail with some of the key features of the preserve highlighted.

Starting from the upper parking lot, go past the white gate and hike approximately .6 miles down a wide path (used for maintenance vehicles I’m sure). You will know you are getting close to the large, exposed granite when you start seeing a few boulders.

There will be a path of the left that allows you to hug the eastern side of the rock which leads to the path down to the waterfall, or stick to the main trail to continue to the center of the exposed granite. Take time to enjoy the view.

From here, you can head to the bottom left for the quickest access to the waterfall, or you can head to the lower right (look for a cut-through in the trees). Either path you choose is the top section of the “figure 8”.

In this top half, you will see Cambridge Waterfall, a water slide, 2 caves, and a stream that the trail straddles. However, the waterfall and slide can run dry depending on how much rainfall the area has received. Note that the water slide is not for actual sliding!

One cave is at the waterfall and will be obvious. The second one is hard to see with the foliage out, but when the leaves are down it is visible. You will have to jump the stream to get to it.

Eventually, you will come to the center of the figure 8. Here, either cut back sharply or continue to hike the entire trail.

Extended Hike

Sticking to the right of this intersection, you will come to a clearing with some powerlines. The trail gets a little confusing here but take the path that heads to the tree line. Keep right and you will now be heading down the bottom-left side of the figure 8 trail. This will lead you down to the creek. However, in the summer, this section can be extremely overgrown (for this reason, wear pants over shorts)! And the creek itself can get dry, making it a less appealing hike.

You will soon come to a long bridge that has a few twists and turns and the pond on the left will begin to open up, signifying the end of the overgrown section. After a barely noticeable climb, there will be an opportunity for a beautiful morning view overlooking the pond. Continue down the trail when you get done enjoying the scenery.

After hiking along the pond briefly, you will come to a point where you will turn left or right. Turn right to go to the lower parking lot or left to head toward the upper parking lot.

Heading back to the upper parking lot, you will once again cross an opening for powerlines. This time it will be easier to follow as there is a bridge to stick to. After crossing back into the woods, you will come back to the center of the figure 8. Take whichever path you didn’t previously take. One path is a steep climb back up to the exposed granite. You will be able to tell which is which.

Camping At 40 Acre Rock

Camping is not permitted at 40 Acre Rock. There are no campsites or fire rings. As beautiful as this place is, please adhere to this rule. Hours are from sunup to sundown.

Flora and Fauna

The time of year you visit 40 Acre Rock will determine what plants are available to be seen. Late Winter and early Spring gives you the opportunity to view the rare Pool Sprite while a Summer visit offers you a display of wildflowers. Below is a list of some of the flora to be seen and when the best time for viewing is.

A variety of tree species live within the preserve as well, including long leaf pine and turkey oaks, which are native to the area. More interesting are the Eastern Red Cedars found here that can be much older than their height would lead you to believe.

There are also numerous animals that call this area home. While unlikely to be seen, deer, bobcat, beaver, and gray fox roam these woods. For bird watchers, you can spot woodpeckers, tanagers, warblers, and vireos.

Also, during my most recent visit, I believe I heard the grunts of a wild boar/pig. Use that information however you will.

Safe for Kids?

If your kids can hike a mile or two, then 40 Acre Rock is mostly safe for children. The largest hazards are the rocks around the waterfall that kids will like to climb. Also remember that rocks can be slippery when wet. You will be walking across a 14-acre piece of granite, so be cautious. If you do plan to take children, I recommend parking at the upper lot. This is a shorter hike to the exposed granite and the waterfall.

Conclusion

I’m happy to have revisited 40 Acre Rock after 20+ years and with new adoration and respect for nature. It is a shame that so many people haven’t found that respect (or maturity) yet and continue to vandalize this awesome site. But looking past the graffiti, you can see what this place truly is.

I love hiking in the mountains, but 40 Acre Rock is proof that I don’t need elevation and mountaintop views to enjoy a hike. So, if you ever find yourself in the area, taking a day to explore this geologic wonder is well worth it.