Jasper County: Nature, Wildlife and History

Jasper County can be explored through a variety of themes: wildlife watching in the refuge, nature education at the Blue Heron Nature Center and historic traces along the Savannah River. There are also exhibitions, architecture and places that tell the story of the county. The aspects that interest you most can help you plan your days here.

Enjoying nature and the outdoors

In the southern part of Jasper County lies the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. Wildlife can be observed along the four-mile Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive and on the adjacent hiking and biking trails. The drive and the rest of the refuge are open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset, except for closed areas. Check the refuge’s current visitor information before your visit.

The Blue Heron Nature Center & Trail in Ridgeland, at Exit 21 off I-95, offers a different focus on nature. The grounds include ten acres of green space. A 4,200-square-foot education and nature center is housed in a log cabin. Great blue herons, ospreys, alligators and turtles can be observed here in their natural habitat. The expansive refuge and the nature center offer different ways to experience wildlife in the county.

Tillman Sand Ridge also brings together nature and hiking: its area provides a unique habitat for the endangered gopher tortoise. Wildlife paths through Tillman Sand Ridge may be accessible to experienced hikers with a permit. Check access requirements before planning a hike.

River access and regional history

Millstone Landing in Hardeeville offers views of the Savannah River, as well as access for boaters and anglers. Jasper County has several boat landings, three of which provide access to the Savannah River. The river and wildlife watching can therefore be considered as separate focuses for a trip, rather than combined into a single itinerary.

Purrysburgh was founded on the Savannah River in 1732 by German-speaking Swiss immigrants led by Jean Pierre Purry. A cross-shaped stone monument by the river marks the site of Purrysburg. The landscape’s history is also connected to the refuge: some of the rice plantations in Jasper County are now part of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge.

At Honey Hill, attacks by U.S. Colored Troops on Confederate fortifications were repulsed on November 30. Those interested in the county’s history can learn about both the founding of Purrysburgh and its connection to the Civil War.

Exhibitions, museum and architecture

At the Morris Center, visitors can explore current exhibitions at their own pace on a self-guided visit or arrange a guided tour.

The Pauline Pratt Webel Museum is located at 403 Russell Street. Its artifacts, prints and other materials document the people of Jasper County. For a visit focused on regional history, the collection complements historic places and events with accounts of the lives of people in the county.

The Church of the Holy Trinity is another notable cultural attraction: architecturally, it is an outstanding example of the Carpenter Gothic style. Together with the museum and exhibitions at the Morris Center, it offers a varied perspective on history and culture—from architecture and collections to historic landscapes.

Discover more destinations: Hardeeville, Spartanburg, Cherokee County, Beaufort County, Marlboro County, Oconee County, Dillon County and Pickens County.

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