Landsford Canal State Park is a small SC State Park located near Charlotte. Our family learned about this park during our Ultimate Outsider journey. You can walk along the Catawba River and view the historical canal system from the 1800s.
What is especially unique about this park, is during mid-May to mid-June it boasts one of the largest amounts of Rocky Shoals Spider Lily in the Southeast. During the peak, there are thousands of flowers in bloom.
View the gorgeous display of flowers by following the nature trail to an observation deck. If you feel more adventurous, paddle down the river and see the lilies up close! (We added seeing the lilies up close to our bucket list in 2021. In May 2022, we got to mark it off!)
The Catawba River is more rocky than the Ashley River or Edisto River. Moderate experience is suggested if you choose to paddle. You will be navigating small rapids and around rocks. When we took our canoe, we actually had to get out and carry it over rocks. This experience was different than our usual day on the river in the Lowcountry. Our kids were asking for snacks as we were dodging the rocks. It made for an exciting afternoon! We beached the canoe on one of the shoals, took a snack break, and sat in awe at the sea of lilies. Pictures just do not do it justice.
If you want to see the lilies up close, but don’t want to go it alone or don’t have the gear, there are a few companies in the area that offer guided tours including the equipment!
Whether you get on the water or stay on land, seeing this many flowers in one place is a beautiful experience. Have you seen the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies at Landsford Canal State Park?
Thanks for the info! Our family is almost halfway through our Ultimate outsider and we are having so much fun! We live in Mount P!
That’s amazing! Ultimate Outsider is such a fun journey. I’m glad y’all are going for it!
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