Expedition Zone

Zone: The History Trail

Revolutionary War, Civil War & Historic Adventures
  • Fort Sumter
  • Cowpens Battlefield
  • Kings Mountain
  • Ninety Six NHS
  • Charles Pinckney NHS

What Makes This Zone Special

Fort Sumter sits in Charleston Harbor where the Civil War began. Cowpens and Kings Mountain were turning points in the American Revolution. These are not just history lessons. They are outdoor adventures through landscapes that still carry the weight of the stories that happened there.
Zone at a Glance

7 adventure guides in The History Trail

Adventures in This Zone

LVL 2 — Easy Going

Kings Mountain National Military Park

1.5 miles (battlefield loop)
1-2 hours
October 7, 1780. Patriot militiamen surrounded and destroyed a Loyalist force on this forested ridge in 65 minutes. Thomas Jefferson called it the turning point of the American Revolution. The 1.5-mile loop trail climbs the ridge and follows the battle line.
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Free Admission
LVL 1 — First Steps

Old Sheldon Church Ruins

Short walk around ruins
30-60 minutes
The most haunting ruins in South Carolina. A Greek Revival church burned by the British in 1779 and again by Sherman in 1865. Massive tabby columns standing in a field of Spanish moss. Free to visit.
  • Free
  • Dog-Friendly (Leashed)
  • Parking at Site
LVL 1 — First Steps

Liberty Bridge & Falls Park, Greenville

1 to 3 miles
1-2 hours
Greenville’s signature urban park. A pedestrian suspension bridge over Reedy Falls, miles of Swamp Rabbit Trail, and a walkable downtown that has been called one of the best in America.
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Stroller-Friendly
  • Dog-Friendly (Leashed)
  • Free
  • Paved Surface
LVL 1 — First Steps

Fort Sumter Visit Guide

0.5 miles on fort grounds
3-4 hours including ferry
The place where the Civil War began. Fort Sumter sits in the middle of Charleston Harbor and is accessible only by ferry. The ferry ride itself is one of the best ways to see Charleston from the water.
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Stroller-Friendly
  • Service Animal Friendly
LVL 1 — First Steps

Cowpens National Battlefield

1.3 miles (battlefield trail)
1-2 hours
On January 17, 1781, Daniel Morgan’s Continental Army defeated a superior British force here in 45 minutes. The battle was a turning point in the American Revolution. The 1.3-mile battlefield trail walks you through the engagement with interpretive markers at every key position.
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Stroller-Friendly
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Free Admission

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get to Fort Sumter?

Fort Sumter is accessible only by ferry. The Fort Sumter Ferry departs from Liberty Square in downtown Charleston and from Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. The ferry ride takes about 30 minutes each way. Book tickets in advance as they sell out, especially in spring and summer.

What happened at Cowpens Battlefield?

The Battle of Cowpens on January 17, 1781 was a decisive American victory in the Revolutionary War. General Daniel Morgan's Continental Army defeated a British force under Banastre Tarleton, turning the tide of the war in the South. The battlefield is now a National Military Park with a 1.3-mile paved trail.