Who's up for a ROAD TRIP through some of the spookiest ghost towns in South Carolina? Unlike some places in the midwestern U.S., South Carolina only has a handful of ghost towns that have been mapped or documented with photos. And then, of course, there are those other towns that have been reported as bonafide ghost towns, but they are still very much alive with actual people living in them, even though the towns are slowly fading. The ghost towns on this road trip are from the first group; they are gone and only small tokens remain.
This road trip to ghost towns in South Carolina is just over five hours of drive time and covers locations in the upstate and the lowcountry. We've plotted out the ghost town locations on this Google map.
What remains of the Upstate's "Little Charleston," is just piles of rubble or stone foundations. See the link at the end of this article for an in-depth article about Pinckneyville.
Possibly the only remaining part of the town of Pickens Courthouse is this church which was completed in 1851. There may be a marker for the site of the old courthouse.
Was this a "town proper?" Either way, the area known as Glenn Springs was once a thriving destination as people flocked to a luxurious hotel built in 1834 that used to be located at the springs. The hotel burned in 1941. In 1974, the Glenn Springs Academy home for boys opened near the site, but it closed in May 2015. This road trip takes you to the site of the old Glenn Springs Academy (Spartanburg Boys School).
Colonial Dorchester was established in 1697 as a trading post and then abandoned at the start of the Revolutionary War. The state of South Carolina has managed to preserve the few remaining structures on this site. They still conduct archaeological digs to uncover more secrets of Colonial Dorchester.
Want to learn more about one of these ghost towns in South Carolina? Read about a creepy ghost town in South Carolina that's the stuff nightmares are made of. (It's a fascinating site where supernatural investigations have taken place as one of the rumored haunted places in South Carolina.)
Ready to get on the road and check out these locations? Use our amazing road trip packing list to prepare for a great time!
Road trips are the best way to see the sights in South Carolina. The Palmetto State’s dreamy scenic roads make for the best road trips, and since you’ve got your own wheels, you’re not tied to a specific schedule...you can make as many stops as you want! If you want to fill your calendar with epic road trips, but you’re not sure where to go, then the best road trips in South Carolina are just what you’re looking for. The following are just 11 of our favorite South Carolina road trip ideas.
Route: Dawhoo River Bridge > King’s Farm Market > Edisto Island Museum > Presbyterian Church > Botany Bay > Edisto Beach State Park
Distance: 17 miles
Trip Time: One Day
This quick and easy road trip in South Carolina takes you through Edisto Island, stopping off at some of the most popular attractions along the way. From gift shops to ghosts, this one-day road trip includes a little bit of everything, including a beach stroll along Botany Bay Beach. Quick road trips in South Carolina like this one can easily be completed in a day.
Route: Long Shoals Road > Keowee Toxaway State Park > Riley Moore Falls > Westminister > Chau Ram County Park
Distance: 41 miles
Trip Time: 1.5 hours
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This three-day road trip in South Carolina takes you to some of our favorite swimming holes where you can splash the day away. With just 41 miles between locations, this is one of the best weekend road trips in South Carolina because you won’t be spending too much time in the car driving to all the sights. It also makes it easy to set up a home base with a fun vacation rental so you have somewhere to relax between swimming holes.
Route: Huntington State Park > Brookgreen Gardens > Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk > The Claw House > Garden City Pier
Distance: 12 miles
Trip Time: 35 minutes
This road trip may clock in at a mere 12 miles, but it’s chock full of some of the best places to see the sunrise and sunset in South Carolina. This is one road trip you’ll want to get an early start for, but once you see the sun coming up over the horizon at Huntington Beach Start Park, you’ll be pumped up and ready to tackle the rest of the amazing stops along the way.
Route: Gist Bridge > Crybaby Bridge > Graniteville Cemetery > Julia Legare’s tomb > Jacksonboro Light > Battery Carriage House > Alice Flagg’s Grave
Distance: 403 miles
Trip Time: 8.5 hours
Are you a believer in the paranormal? Well, you might be after taking this legendary haunted road trip to some of South Carolina’s most notoriously haunted sites. Since the road trip is a bit long for one day, be sure to book a room at the Battery Carriage House, also known as 20 South Battery, one of the most haunted places to stay in Charleston.
Route: Wildcat Wayside Falls > Carrick Creek Falls > Twin Falls > Issaqueena Falls > Chau Ram County Park > Cedar Falls > Reedy Falls
Distance: 189 miles
Trip Time: 4.5 hours
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Spring is the perfect time of year to hit the road, and this lovely waterfall road trip in South Carolina takes you to some of our favorite cascades in the state. From the tiny and mighty to the towering, 200-foot Issaqueena Falls, seeing these beautiful waterfalls during spring should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Trip Time: Gaffney > Cowpens National Battlefield > Campbells Covered Bridge > Poinsett Bridge > Long Shoals Wayside Park > Keowee-Toxaway State Park > Chau Ram County Park
Take those lazy summer days and turn them into an epic summer road trip in South Carolina that covers some of the most scenic byways and state parks in the state. This road trip even includes some of our favorite sweet shops along the way, because everyone knows the best road trips always include the best snacks.
Route: South Cove County Park > Stumphouse Tunnel > Oconee Station State Historic Site > Mountain Rest Cafe > Falling Waters Scenic Byway > Moody Spring > Oscar Wigington Overlook >
Route: Landsford Canal > Springs Recreation Park > South Carolina State Hospital > Saluda Mill > Building M17, Charleston Navy Base > Fort Freemont >
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Trip Time: Replace this text with the correct information.
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What better way to embrace the wintry landscape than embarking on a South Carolina road trip to some of the state’s most iconic abandoned places? From historic sites that were abandoned by the railroad industry to abandoned military bases and hospitals, this road trip takes you to the abandoned side of South Carolina, where Mother Nature is slowly reclaiming her territory.
All aboard! This train-themed road trip is a perfect, family-friendly road trip that’s great for families with kids of all ages. Don’t be fooled, even though this road trip is centered around trains, you’ll be doing the driving here. Of course, you’ll have options to step aboard historic trains like the Rockton, Rion, & Western, South Carolina’s only historic train, but this unique road trip highlights the railroad industry in South Carolina, stopping off at quirky train-themed restaurants, abandoned train tunnels, and a few museums.
Road Trip to South Carolina Landmarks & Natural Wonders
Small towns are the heartbeat of The Palmetto State, and this epic road trip showcases some of our favorite small towns in South Carolina. Starting off in Clemson, which is beautiful year-round, this road trip covers a lot of ground, zig-zagging all over to charming small towns like Cheraw, Newberry, and Walterboro before ending in McClellanville, a tiny but mighty town with a wonderful historic district.
Which South Carolina road trips are you adding to your calendar this year? What do you believe are the best road trips in South Carolina? Let us know in the comments section!
Undoubtedly, exploring the Palmetto State on your time off is a great way to put down the screens and discover some cool, hidden gems in South Carolina. From our mountains to the sea, South Carolina is packed with natural and man-made beauty, and we love exploring every corner of it! But while we love our most popular attractions and landmarks, this hidden gems road trip promises to deliver some new-to-you spots that you'll want to add to your bucket list. Visit them all for the first time, then head out to see them again. You'll love these spots for repeated visits. Let's get started, shall we?
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Check out the official Google Map, and start exploring!
Our first stop includes some of the most beautiful nature in the state. Named "One of the Last Great Places On Earth" by National Geographic, Lake Jocassee is a mountain oasis filled with crystal clear water and endless views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Undoubtedly, the best spot to gain access to the lake is the fabulous Devils Fork State Park. First, plan on spending the morning basking in the beauty that surrounds you. Then, rent a villa or bring your tent or camper to spend the night and wake up to this pristine paradise.
Next up is the South Carolina Botanical Garden. This hidden gem is located in the upstate. It features 295 acres of plants, flowers, woodlands, and manicured landscapes with plenty of wide open space to wander in wonder. We particularly love this stop because it's free, which means you'll want to come back every chance you can!
A state park is certainly a great reason to stop. But add a resort into the mix and you'll be in heaven. Rather than book an entire week, simply cruise in here for a wonderful picnic as you make your way along the journey. Then, check out the resort amenities for a future weekend getaway with the family. Hickory Knob State Park & Resort has an 18-hole golf course, a swimming pool, cabins, a lodge, and a campground.
Urban Exploration at its finest is what you'll find just off the beaten path in Cayce when you stop at the Ruins of Guignard Brick Works. Besides being pretty, there's also a ton of history. You'll find four massive kilns from the 1800s which remain from a brick making operation that was once located here. Their haunting abandoned beauty is astounding.
Step inside the Hidden Gardens surrounding the Governor's Mansion to discover outdoor "rooms" that will delight your senses. Although the gardens hide in plain sight, in essence they're hidden simply because most people don't know you can explore them - and for free!
Though this trip is full of fun, your next stop is likely to put even more pep in your step...literally! People have been turning to this Fountain of Youth in South Carolina for ages. With all the healing properties in the water, we're not surprised. Learn all about the spring and how it came to be deeded to God (yes, it was left in a will to God, himself). Find out more about how you can dip into God's Acre Healing Springs, our very own Fountain of Youth! This is certainly something you might find only in South Carolina!
As much as we love the more scenic stops on this road trip of cool places to visit in South Carolina, we think this spot is especially worth visiting. Popping into this adorable honey farm and zoo out in the wilds of South Carolina is just about mandatory. Visitors can first hand feed some of the animals, then sign up for a personal animal encounter and go see how honey is harvested. The kiddos will love Bee City almost as much as you do!
Following your bee experience it's time for a little extra relaxation. Unlike the perception of Hilton Head which includes tourists and lots of activity, visiting this tiny little-known park on Hilton Head is nice and calm. Fish Haul Beach Park is certainly a beach only the locals know about, so you're free to truly be at peace. Swim. Sun. Relax.
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9. Hunting Island Beach, Hunting Island State Park outside Beaufort
Finally, after a long day of road tripping to the most beautiful places in South Carolina, it's time to sit back and reflect. Due to the pace of life here, there's a good chance you'll want to stick around for a while. Camp, swim, hike, and check out the only lighthouse in South Carolina where visitors can climb to the observation deck atop the tower. Hunting Island Beach may not be hidden, but you'd be surprised just how many South Carolinians have yet to visit the state's most popular state park.
While South Carolina has some great obvious places to explore, many are full of tourists, making them hard to enjoy. Another great reason to check out the spots on this list is that you're bound to find plenty of quiet! Further, you'll have enough elbow room when you get out of the car.
Of course, this isn't a complete list of all the best hidden gems in South Carolina! So now we're particularly interested in how many of these cool places to visit in SC you've already seen. Head to the comments and let us know where you've been!
Additionally, for another can't-miss road trip in South Carolina, check out some of the state's best natural wonders. Then, take this unique hidden alleys tour of Charleston, where you're guaranteed to learn and see something new!
