Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Augusta

Looks Like a great place for an adventure. Kids would sure love it. Good to be out in nature.

The last review on here is ridiculous! First of all, there are plenty of benches around most of the trails! How many do you want? I saw one every few minutes at comfortable walking speed. Secondly, there was only one small area I noticed any smell, what did you expect a swamp would smell like? You want them to Febreeze it? This place has a ton of awesome boardwalks over the swampy parts and tons of other trails for biking or walking. Lots of awesome trails, trees, flowers and wildlife. We saw a few turtles and lots of different birds. Also, it's free, while well maintained with bathrooms! Went here with my fiancee, would recommend it to anyone! Note: went in March. I bet a swamp is less pleasant in August. August in Augusta must be gross in general, I'm just visiting from up north.

One of the few positive things I can say about this place is that it's free. Once you pass the visitor center, almost everything looks the same. There is almost nowhere to sit, and there are almost no signs to let you know where you are. Even if you have a map, the numbers on the map aren't described anywhere. They kind of sucker you in because the walk between the parking lot and visitor center is a nice boardwalk across actual swamp land (and by "actual" I mean cypress trees, water, etc.), but, once you get past there, the paths are filled-in land over the wetlands where there are very few trees, and most of it is just tall grass in nasty water. We did see 2 bald eagles flying overhead, but that was about the extent of the interesting wildlife. Oh, and the one alligator we saw was in an enclosed area where he can't get out, and that area happened to be a water treatment pond. Nice. I'm giving it 2 stars for atmosphere because the front walk is nice, but the rest sucks. I'm only giving 2 stars for value since, even though it's free, it still isn't worth it. On the whole, though, I'm giving it 1 star. For all the money apparently sunk into this place, it leaves a lot to be desired. Go visit the Congaree Swamp and have a MUCH better time!

I went on a trip there with my school. When you get around the area its kinda stinky. The people that work there are really nice and taught us many things about Butler Creek. Around the eating area and the bathroom, there are LOTS of ladybugs and snakes. Its not many places to sit but overall it was a good trip.