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The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail

The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail was founded in 2012, by Dean Moss and other community-minded leaders, as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Beaufort County, SC by advocating for the development, enhancements and maintenance of the Spanish Moss Trail. The continued success of the Trail is made possible through community partnerships, local government participation, and private support from people like you.

The Friends are governed by an active Board of Directors and led by Founder and Volunteer Executive Director Dean Moss. In addition to the many volunteers and contributors supporting the Trail, the Friends have a long-term professional consultant,

Sissy Perryman, who is dedicated to the Trail’s grant management, public awareness and development needs.

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Latest News

New Fishing and Viewing Extensions Complete
at the Popular Mather Trestle

We are excited to announce that Beaufort County has completed their two-month project of repairs and design improvements to the Spanish Moss Trail’s Mather Trestle – located near the Technical College of the Lowcountry. This County-funded project was completed on time and re-opened this popular section at the beginning of July. The improvements include repairs to the infrastructure and extend both fishing and viewing areas. These enhancements are proving to be very popular allowing people who want to fish to get off the Trail without creating obstructions. There are also two new bump outs extending the areas where other Trail users can stop to enjoy the views of the beautiful Lowcountry. We want to extend our appreciation to the County for their continued investment in this important community asset and to their contractor, O'Quinn Marine Construction, for their excellent and timely work.

We Made the Cover!

Rails to Trails Conservancy: Southeast Guidebook

We are very pleased to announce that the Spanish Moss Trail is featured on the cover of the new Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Southeast Guide Book – purchased by a million people a year who want to learn how to explore the best Trails in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The FSMT pitched this to the RTC last year and we are glad they agree that our Trail is one of the most beautiful trails to visit in the Southeast. How special to have this incredible path right here for us all to enjoy!

How to Explore the Best of Port Royal

The Spanish Moss Trail is increasingly the featured experience bringing people to the Greater Beaufort-Port Royal area and we love seeing popular travel writers feature the Trail along with the many other beautiful experiences in our area. Read the latest from Vacation Script by clicking here!

Enjoy Our Newest and Popular Trail Access

Beaufort Plaza Shopping CenterAccess

It has been a pleasant surprise for our newest Trail Access point at Beaufort Plaza Shopping Center to become one of the most populated access points along the 10-mile Trail. This new connection opened earlier this year in a central location featuring great parking, beautiful landscaping, access to Publix and other shopping center food options and businesses, and will soon have a few more amenities like a water fountain and trash can. All of this was made possible by a $100,000 FSMT sought-after grant from Beaufort County 3% A-Tax funds.

Port Royal Connection

Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail
Statement Regarding Port Royal Crossing Issues

The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail (FSMT) are disappointed to share that, for the moment, Beaufort County and the Town of Port Royal have been unable to finish the Spanish Moss Trail across Ribaut Road into the Town of Port Royal. There are many complex issues between the Town and private property owner, Safe Harbor Marinas. This important extension of the Spanish Moss Trail has, unfortunately, been caught in the middle.

Active construction was first put on hold in February while the Town and Safe Harbor debated their issues involving the overall property development. Safe Harbor’s property extends from Ribaut Road along Battery Creek to the Sands Beach. Because their dispute is not yet settled, the County terminated the construction contract until these matters are resolved. This project is fully funded and the funds allocated by the FSMT, State, County and Town have been reserved in anticipation of the eventual completion of this project.

Today, the Spanish Moss Trail remains a connected 10-mile Trail and even has the extension complete to Ribaut Road from its former terminus at Smilax Avenue. Discussions are ongoing as to whether the Trail will stay blocked at Smilax for safety reasons. The FSMT are continuing to work with both the Town and County to ensure this project is completed for the benefit of the entire community. Our nonprofit’s advocacy work for the continued development of the Spanish Moss Trail is as important as ever and we will keep you updated as things develop.

Downtown Beaufort Connection Update

Phase 1 of this project has been fully funded for several years but has stalled due to SCDOT and private land issues. Beaufort County has indicated they will begin soon on this path that will go along Depot Road between the popular Depot Trailhead and Ribaut Road. Phase 2 of connecting into downtown Beaufort will be led by the City of Beaufort. We hope you will help us advocate for this essential connection into the heart of community.

Outside Magazine

Names Spanish Moss Trail

Top 10 Urban Walking Trails in the U.S.

What a huge accolade for the Spanish Moss Trail to be named among the Top 10 Urban Walking Trails in the country in Outside Magazine – in the company of Trails in New York City, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Chicago! We are excited that our wonderful Trail is receiving national recognition. It truly is one of the best trails and we hope you are getting out there to enjoy it! Here is what Outside Magazine said about us:

Charleston gets all of the love, but the smaller coastal town of Beaufort, an hour and a half to the southwest, has just as much southern charm, with a fraction of the tourists. And it’s incredibly walkable, thanks in part to the Spanish Moss Trail, a ten-mile paved path that follows the former Magnolia Rail Line through the best of South Carolina’s Lowcountry landscape. The trail starts in an old rail station near Depot Road and carries you over creeks, through expansive wetlands, and amid stately neighborhoods shaded by live oaks thick with the iconic Spanish moss.