We South Carolinians love our beaches. There’s nothing like relaxing along the coast, wiggling your toes in the soft sand and listening to the sound of the ebbing tide. Did you know the Palmetto State is home to the biggest, longest and tallest sand dune in the The South? Yes, it’s true. Take a look below.

One of the many things we agree on as a people in South Carolina is: we love our coast.
Flickr/leasqueaky
But did you know you don't have to head all the way to the coast to find a sand dune to admire?
South Carolina has a region called the Carolina Sandhills and it's pretty amazing.
Wikipedia/Public Domain/U.S. Census [modified to indicate sandhills region]
This giant sand dune was deposited long, long ago when it's believed the ocean covered everything to the right of the sand colored area on the map above. The waters receded, but the sand remained.

Today, we've got several optimal places you can go to experience the ancient sand dune. You can even take off your shoes and wiggle your toes in this sand.

Here are three fantastic places to visit the Carolina Sandhills in South Carolina:
1. Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge - McBee
Flickr/bobistraveling
The Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge in McBee includes some 47,000 acres set aside for wildlife and ecosystem preservation in the Sandhills.
Flickr/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region
Here, this giant sand dune rises to as high as 250 to 500 feet above sea level.
Flickr/Allen Forrest
The refuge has some 30 man-made lakes and ponds. Among photographers it's a well-known spot for viewing and capturing wildlife with their lens.

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2. Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve - Lexington
Flickr/Hunter Desportes
There's no better place in the Palmetto State to see the layers of this ancient sand dune than at Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve.
Flickr/Hunter Desportes
From the gently rolling landscape you'll wander through as you hike the short loop around the preserve...
TripAdvisor/jlantern3
to all the piles of sand everywhere, this is an amazing spot to stick your feet in the ancient sands of the Carolina Sandhills.
3. Sandhills State Forest and H. Cooper Black Recreation Facility - near Camden and Chesterfield County
Flickr/EchoBoomer
Another perfect place to witness this giant sand dune known is in the Sandhills State Forest in Patrick, SC. The forest is home to several hiking trails where you can explore the dune on foot.

An annual event in this forest brings many spectators to the Carolina Sandhills during the annual Sandblast Rally.
Sandblast Rally
The rally is a race for cars and motorcycles that winds mostly through the Sandhills State Forest and H. Cooper Black Recreation facility in Chesterfield Country. More info here.

Measuring as high as 500 feet in places, the Carolina Sandhills are the biggest, longest and most impressive sand dune in the whole state. Have you been to any of these three places yet? We’d love to know in our comments.

Want sand AND the ocean? Check out this top secret beach in South Carolina that will make your summer complete.

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