(Savannah Daytrips) Lawton Stables & Sea Pines Forest Preserve, Hilton Head Is.
Summertime biking @ Sea Pines Nature Preserve
Hilton Head Island offers over 50 scenic miles of public bicycle pathways and nature trails.
The hard-packed beaches are also popular for bicycling at low tide.
Which is why we’re often perplexed that more Savannah families don’t take advantage of this daytrip option (about one hour drive from Savannah). There are so many family-friendly activities do on Hilton Head.
Find the complete list of our favorite places to visit on Hilton Head Is. here.
Below is a sample:
The 605-acre Sea Pines Forest Preserve includes easy trails to various points of interest including the 4,000-year-old Indian Shell Ring, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a wildflower garden that’s amazing when in bloom (pictured above in summer).
The walks range from 25 minutes to one hour. Bicycles are not permitted on the nature trails, so please park your bicycles at the locations provided. Open from sunrise to sunset. The Forest Preserve is free; there’s a $9 Sea Pines gate fee per auto. More info here.
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Lawton Stables in Sea Pines Resort
One of our favorite Sea Pines spots to visit with young kids is Lawton Stables, which offers horse trail rides, $15/pony rides and a small animal farm.
Their free animal farm includes goats, sheep, chickens, turtles, cows and alpacas. Kids can also pet a friendly retired Clydesdale, Harley, at the stables. Pony rides and horseback riding available for a fee. Pony rides available for a fee for children between the ages of 2-7 years old and weighing less than 55 lbs.
All trail riders must be a minimum of 8 years old. Lawton Stables does not allow ‘double-riding’ with two people sharing a horse.
You MUST make a reservation for all trail rides – please BOOK ONLINE.
The animal farm is free; there’s a $9 Sea Pines gate fee per auto. More info here. 190 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island, 29928
Open Tuesday through Sunday: 8AM to 5PM. Call for pony ride hours: (843) 671-2586.
Learn more here.
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Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, Bluffton SC
A mere hour drive from Savannah, Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is an easy getaway from Savannah to bike amid nature on 14 miles of hiking and biking trails. The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset daily. (Not located on Hilton Head Is. but between HHI and Bluffton)
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Find the complete list of our favorite places to visit on Hilton Head Is. here.