Natural History

Pinewood Lake Park is named for the eponymous Pinewood Lake, a 20-acre impoundment which is fed by Mill Creek. Mill Creek flows into the Congaree River 7.5 miles south of Pinewood Lake Park. Surrounding the lake are 24 acres of mixed pine and hardwood forests, wetlands, walking trails, a demonstration garden, and open areas around the restrooms, historic buildings, and picnic shelters. This diversity of habitat types supports a wide variety of wildlife in every season, including foxes, white-tailed deer, squirrels, river otters, beavers, and a number of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Pinewood Lake Park is a great place to birdwatch year-round. The park attracts many species of birds including the Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Wood Ducks, owls, and the Rusty Blackbird. Visitors have even observed Bald Eagles and Wood Storks at the site! 

Are you a birder or nature-watcher at Pinewood Lake Park? Post your sightings to social media using the hashtag #PinewoodLakePark, or email photos of your sightings to the Richland County Public Information Office at PIO@richlandcountysc.gov. Let us know if we have permission to share your photos on County websites and/or social media!