Aiken

Kelly Howell

Park Manager

Hey y'all! I’m Kelly Howell and I am the park manager at Aiken State Park. Welcome!  

My family and I went on a vacation out west one summer, and we would stop at historical monuments, state parks and national parks along the way. I have always loved history, the outdoors and people. Watching park rangers and interpreters show and teach us why these places and resources are preserved-- it just clicked! This is what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be. 

Sitting on a bench by Fish Lake is one of my favorite places at Aiken State Park. Listening to the water flow from the lake to the Edisto River is always so calming and peaceful.  

There are two things I highly recommend doing as a first-time visitor. First, you’ve got to check out the artesian well located by the Canoe Trail trailhead. Not only is the well a cool history feature of the park, but the water tastes great! Second, you should rent a kayak and paddle down the Edisto River. There is no telling what sights and sounds you’ll see.  

**The park's Ultimate Outsider stamp is located at the park office to the right of the front door in a wooden box.

Set along the South Edisto River, Aiken State Park is a haven for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. 

A scenic 1.7-mile canoe and kayak trail winds its way down the south fork of the Edisto River, attracting paddlers from across the region. 

Aiken State Park has a history as notable as its natural beauty. During the Great Depression, the park was built by two Civilian Conservation Corps companies, one of which was an African-American detachment of the C.C.C. Their work has withstood the test of time and can still be seen in some of the remaining structures and interpretive signage.