One of South Carolina’s natural wonders, the ACE Basin, is also one of its largest, encompassing a massive 350,000 acres. The ACE Basin is named for the three rivers – the Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto Rivers – that converge here and drain into St. Helena Sound which spills into the Atlantic Ocean.

Wikimedia Commons/Ace Basin From high above, the ACE Basin creates a mesmerizing canvas of blue swirlies and vivid green swipes and dabs.

Flickr/Ken Dodds While down on the ground, the senses are even more delighted to experience the ACE Basin up close.

Flickr/Sasha Azevedo Situated along South Carolina’s southern coast between Charleston and Beaufort, the ACE Basin includes most, if not all of Edisto Island, the St. Helena Sound and Hunting Island State Park. It extends northwesterly over to about Yemassee.

Flickr/mogollon_1 So, it’s not all water and marshgrass.

Flickr/Sara Dean But, most people experience the ACE Basin from Highway 17 where the long range water and marsh views are outstanding.

Flickr/Don Jones However, the ACE includes some of the most visited spots in the Lowcountry like all of Hunting Island State Park, Edisto Beach State Park and even Old Sheldon Church in Yemassee.

Flickr/mogollon_1 If you’ve traveled on Highway 17 south of Charleston to get to Interstate 95 or enroute to Savannah, then you’ve driven along the northern side of this natural wonder.

Flickr/mogollon_1 The preservation of such an expansive area hasn’t been easy. Since the 70’s, groups of people have banded together to protect the ACE Basin.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service The Ernest F. Hollings National Wildlife Refuge is one of them. This 11,815-acre refuge protects parts of the Edisto River and the Combahee River. The Headquarters is located here, at the Grove Plantation House. Several other preserves and wildlife management areas also protect parts of the Basin.

Flickr/Charles Ryhne And several managed locations provide great places to see the Basin. The Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Ravenel is also a great place to get a hands-on feel for the ACE Basin.

Flickr/TimothyJ The meandering waters snake through the marsh and make for amazing photos.

Flickr/Sara Dean This natural wonder in South Carolina is a photographer’s dream, thanks to the many organizations that work tirelessly to preserve and protect the Basin.

Flickr/NOAA Photo Library

Did you know about this natural wonder in South Carolina? Or that it was so expansive at 350,000 acres?

Wikimedia Commons/Ace Basin

From high above, the ACE Basin creates a mesmerizing canvas of blue swirlies and vivid green swipes and dabs.

Flickr/Ken Dodds

While down on the ground, the senses are even more delighted to experience the ACE Basin up close.

Flickr/Sasha Azevedo

Situated along South Carolina’s southern coast between Charleston and Beaufort, the ACE Basin includes most, if not all of Edisto Island, the St. Helena Sound and Hunting Island State Park. It extends northwesterly over to about Yemassee.

Flickr/mogollon_1

So, it’s not all water and marshgrass.

Flickr/Sara Dean

But, most people experience the ACE Basin from Highway 17 where the long range water and marsh views are outstanding.

Flickr/Don Jones

However, the ACE includes some of the most visited spots in the Lowcountry like all of Hunting Island State Park, Edisto Beach State Park and even Old Sheldon Church in Yemassee.

If you’ve traveled on Highway 17 south of Charleston to get to Interstate 95 or enroute to Savannah, then you’ve driven along the northern side of this natural wonder.

The preservation of such an expansive area hasn’t been easy. Since the 70’s, groups of people have banded together to protect the ACE Basin.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The Ernest F. Hollings National Wildlife Refuge is one of them. This 11,815-acre refuge protects parts of the Edisto River and the Combahee River. The Headquarters is located here, at the Grove Plantation House. Several other preserves and wildlife management areas also protect parts of the Basin.

Flickr/Charles Ryhne

And several managed locations provide great places to see the Basin. The Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Ravenel is also a great place to get a hands-on feel for the ACE Basin.

Flickr/TimothyJ

The meandering waters snake through the marsh and make for amazing photos.

This natural wonder in South Carolina is a photographer’s dream, thanks to the many organizations that work tirelessly to preserve and protect the Basin.

Flickr/NOAA Photo Library

If you’re enchanted by this amazing place in South Carolina, then you should check out Botany Bay located on the edge of the ACE Basin. This jaw-dropping place will blow you away.

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