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.
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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!
We have some great big cities in South Carolina. Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head are renowned all over the South as an epic summer travel destination, and Charleston's historic charms are known worldwide. With that being said, it's the small towns that make the Palmetto State really special, and if you ask us, there's no better way to get to know South Carolina culture than by checking out some of our smallest locales. If you feel the same way, we think you'll love this wonderful road trip we've got planned for you today. It's a long one, and you'll definitely want to take at least three days to enjoy it, but this small-town road trip will take you to five of our favorite little destinations in the state.
This six-hour road trip requires about 350 miles of driving, but if you don't have the time or budget to enjoy the whole trip, you can customize the itinerary on Google Maps to remove or rearrange stops. You'll want to set aside at least a few hours to explore each city, and this is a perfect option for a three-day weekend adventure.
Georgetown is the third oldest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina
We'll start our trip in the coastal town of Georgetown. As the third-oldest city in South Carolina, there are some really cool historical landmarks here. The Rice Museum is one of our favorite museums in the state. Once an open-air public market, it now provides a look into the past. Guided tours are offered throughout the day and last about 45 minutes. The museum is also home to an art gallery that showcases works from local artisans.
Our next stop is Lake City, a Florence County town with about 6,000 residents. This creative community has colorful murals, lots of public art, and several art galleries. It's also home to Moore Farms Botanical Garden and Lake City Park. This is such a unique place, and it's a perfect representation of a small Southern town.
Our third stop lies just outside of Greenville, which is also worth a visit if you've got the time. Greenville is not a small town, but with a growing population of more than 70,000, it's so much fun and a blast to explore. The Greenville suburb we are featuring on this road trip is Travelers Rest. It's nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and has historically served as a great resting point for those looking to head into the mountains, hence the somewhat unusual name. With restaurants, a wonderful farmers market, and plenty of local shops, there's a lot to check out here, so don't spend too much time resting!
Traditional American Red Barn With Blue Sky near Landrum, South Carolina.
Our fourth stop is Landrum, a historic city with a population of 2,600. If you love shopping for bargains, you'll want to plan to spend extra time here. Landrum is home to some of the best antique stores in the state. It's a great spot for an overnight visit - consider a stay in this charming riverside cabin.
Brilliant skies over and reflected in the Catawba River in York County, South Carolina
We'll end this fun trip in York, a historic town that's home to nearly 200 historic buildings. The entire downtown area has been named a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. You'll find lots of wonderful shops here, and The Garden Cafe is one of our favorite restaurants in the state - it's got a great al fresco dining area.
How many of these small towns in South Carolina have you visited? Is there anything that you think belongs on the trip? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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Of course, no road trip is complete without a few bites to eat! Check out our favorite on-the-go travel snack ideas that are perfect for all your trips, whether you're heading across the state or just across town.
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
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
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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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!
