THE SPANISH MOSS TRAIL

The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail was founded in 2012, by former general manager of Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority 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, led by Volunteer Executive Director Dean Moss and managed by Director of Advancement Sissy Perryman - who is dedicated to the Trail’s fundraising efforts, grant management and developing strategies to increase the reputation and awareness of the Spanish Moss Trail.

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Latest Trail News

Great News! The Port Royal Crossing is Now Open

The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail are pleased to announce that the Spanish Moss Trail’s Port Royal Crossing Project is now open for public enjoyment. Beaufort County has completed this highly-anticipated section that extends the Trail across Ribaut Road to Ritter Circle.

This important section allows Trail users to connect to the Town of Port Royal's quieter street grid until the future extension of the Trail formally connects to the Sands Beach.

Please note that while this new section is open to the public, the Town of Port Royal is still completing the resurfacing of the old driveway at Ritter Circle. While this work is underway, Trail users should use caution (if on a bike, you will want to walk this gravel area until it is paved). In addition, the Town of Port Royal Police are currently using their radars to slow traffic down at this new crossing where there is a new HAWK signal. Their presence will be there for a couple of weeks to help raise awareness and change the speed behavior of drivers along this corridor.

Spanish Moss Trail Fishing and Viewing Extension

The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail Work Celebrated

Thank you to Beaufort Lifestyle for their generous feature on the work of the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail, and we thank our supporters for making this work possible! Click HERE to read the article.

Downtown Beaufort Connector Open for Public

Kids in Parks Open for Families
The new Downtown Beaufort Connector, that links the Spanish Moss Trail's Depot Trailhead, down Depot Road, to Ribaut Road. This new wide path allows Trail users and downtown Beaufort patrons to easily go between the heart of the Trail and Beaufort's historic Bay Street's scenic waterfront,

shopping, museums and restaurants.

Second, we celebrated the opening of the new national distinction of becoming a Kids in Parks TRACK Trail – a nation-wide designation by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation funded in our state by the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation. This TRACK Trail starts at the Depot Trailhead with a large kiosk and four children’s activity brochures along an 1.8-mile out-and-back section of the Trail. Starting at this popular trailhead, families can enjoy the StoryWalk provided by the Friends of the Beaufort Library and Beaufort County Library, grab a book at the Pat Conroy Literary Center’s new mini library for kids (created by student artist E Achurch), and skip through the Depot Building to start their adventure towards the Mather Trestle fishing pier. To learn more about our partnership with

Kids in Parks and other Trails families can explore, Click Here.

Spanish Moss Trail in the Rail-Trails Magazine

Spanish Moss Trail on 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!