Top 20 Scenic Drives in South Carolina. SC Best Scenic Drives

Top 20 Scenic Drives in South Carolina. SC Best Scenic Drives

#1. Blue Ridge Mountains: Walhalla to Whitewater Falls
A spectacular 75-mile drive through forests, around and over mountains, and across rivers and gorges, offering majestic vistas and cool, idyllic resting spots. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Walhalla, SC - Scenic Drives - 75 miles

#2. ACE Basin: Walterboro to Old Sheldon Church
This trip begins in the historic, charming, well-preserved town of Walterboro, then takes you through the watershed of the enchanting Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Rivers. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Walterboro, SC - Scenic Drives

#3. Mountain Bridge Natural Area: Jones Gap to Keowee-Toxaway
This 80-mile drive takes travelers through the Mountain Bridge Natural Area and up and down the Blue Ridge escarpment. A long precipice at the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Pickens, SC - Scenic Drives - 80 miles

#4. Historic Charleston: Daniel Island to James Island
This fascinating and diverse drive in metropolitan Charleston takes visitors across major waterways, through stunning saltwater marshlands, along inviting beaches, and past numerous beautiful homes. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Charleston, SC - Scenic Drives

#5. Historic Beaufort and Sea Islands: Beaufort to Hunting Island State Park
This 30-mile trip begins in the historic, picturesque waterfront town of Beaufort and carries sightseers across salt marshes, creeks, and the Beaufort River to the quaint town of Port Royal,. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Beaufort, SC - Scenic Drives - 30 miles

#6. Edisto and Ashley Rivers: Charleston Plantations to Francis Beidler Forest
Beginning on the west side of Charleston, this 70-mile drive passes Drayton Hall, Middleton Place, and Magnolia Plantations on the Ashley River, then travels through isolated rural areas. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Drayton, SC - Scenic Drives - 70 miles

#7. Congaree Basin and Lake Marion: Hopkins to Santee State Park
This is a pretty 65-mile countryside ride to scenic natural areas and remote villages in South Carolina’s upper coastal plain. Special Attractions: Congaree Swamp National Monument, Cedar Creek. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Hopkins, SC - Scenic Drives - 65 miles

#8. Waccamaw Neck: Murrells Inlet to Pawleys Island
This 20-mile coastal drive begins in the restaurant-laden fishing village of Murrells Inlet and takes travelers to exquisite Brookgreen Gardens, salty Huntington Beach State Park. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Pawleys Island, SC - Scenic Drives - 20 miles

#9. Thoroughbred Country: Aiken to Barnwell
Begin in elegant Aiken and travel 75 miles through horse pasture countryside, past the dark waters of the South Edisto River, and into old railroad towns that time has passed by. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Aiken, SC - Scenic Drives - 75 miles

#10. Sassafras Mountain - South Carolina Highpoint
Highpoint rank by height: 29th. Here's another state that hasn't done much to mark its highest point. However, the region is attractive in its natural state . From the guidebook "Highpoint Adventures: The Complete Guide to the 50 State Highpoints"

Sunset, SC - Scenic Drives

#11. Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway: Lake Hartwell to Cowpens
Passing by state parks, fruit orchards, and small villages, the 110-mile Cherokee Scenic Highway (SC 11) follows an ancient Cherokee pathway in the looming shadow of the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Walhalla, SC - Scenic Drives - 110 miles

#12. Francis Marion National Forest: Awendaw to Biggin Church Ruins
A 48-mile cruise in the Coastal Plain through nature, history, and rural culture, past beautiful forests, marshlands, and streams, punctuated with historic sites. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Awendaw, SC - Scenic Drives - 48 miles

#13. Cotton and Sand Hills: Woods Bay to Cheraw
A 115-mile jaunt through cotton fields, peach orchards, and forested sand hills, beginning at a boggy “Carolina bay” and ending in the pretty and historic town of Cheraw. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Lynchburg, SC - Scenic Drives - 115 miles

#14. Midlands Forest and Rivers: Newberry Loop
A 110-mile loop drive highlighted by charming little towns, delightful old churches, and the rivers and woodlands of the Enoree/Tyger District of Sumter National Forest. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Newberry, SC - Scenic Drives - 110 miles

#15. Winyah Bay and Santee River Delta: Georgetown to McClellanville
Beginning in the heart of historic Georgetown, this 45-mile tour takes visitors through plantation-dotted coastal marshland and the northern edge of Francis Marion National Forest. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Georgetown, SC - Scenic Drives - 45 miles

#16. Lake Moultrie Loop: Pinopolis to Diversion Canal
A 70-mile trip around the edges of Lake Moultrie, full of canals, history, and natural beauty. Special Attractions: Pinopolis, Old Santee Canal Park, Tail Race Canal, Francis Marion Forest, Swamp Fox . From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Pinopolis, SC - Scenic Drives - 70 miles

#17. Wateree Basin: Wateree River to Santee National Wildlife Refuge
This 95-mile drive through rural Coastal Plain South Carolina is a delightful blend of nature, history, agriculture, and southern culture in its most basic sense. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Camden, SC - Scenic Drives - 95 miles

#18. Wadmalaw, Johns, and Edisto Islands: Rockville to Edisto Beach
This 75-mile trip across South Carolina’s rural Sea Islands begins in the village of Rockville and ends at Edisto Beach on the Atlantic Ocean, crossing Wadmalaw Island, Johns Island, and Edisto Island. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Rockville, SC - Scenic Drives - 75 miles

#19. Lower Savannah River Valley: Estill to Hilton Head Island
Beginning in the rural town of Estill and ending at the edge of the popular seaside resort of Hilton Head Island, this 97-mile drive in the Lower Savannah River Valley takes visitors through remote coubtry. From the guidebook "Scenic Driving South Carolina"

Estill, SC - Scenic Drives - 97 miles

#20. Oscar Wigginton Memorial Scenic Byway
A 14-mile highway through the wooded foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located in the extreme northwest corner of South Carolina in the gentle foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. From the guidebook "National Forest Scenic Byways East & South"

Walhalla, SC - Scenic Drives - 14 miles

Horry County, South Carolina

Horry County, South Carolina

Horry County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. This name honored Revolutionary War Hero, Peter Horry. Brigadier General Horry was born in South Carolina sometime around 1743 and started his distinguished military career in 1775 as one of 20 captains the Provincial Congress of South Carolina elected to serve the 1st and 2nd Regiments. In 1790 he was assigned to the South Carolina militia under Brigadier General Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion.

As of 2005, the population of Horry County is 226,992. Founded in 1801, its county seat is Conway6, and its largest city is Myrtle Beach. The county shares with Georgetown County an arc-shaped strip of sandy beaches and barrier islands called the Grand Strand, which is a major U. S. tourist destination and retirement community. The area centered in Myrtle Beach is becoming a metropolitan area.

As of the census²estimates of 2003, there were 210,757 people, 81,800 households, and 54,478 families residing in the county. Horry is one of South Carolinas fastest growing counties. The population density was 67/km² (173/mi²). There were 122,085 housing units at an average density of 42/km² (108/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.05% White, 15.50% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.16% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 2.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 81,800 households out of which 26.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.40% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the county, the population was spread out with 21.30% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,470, and the median income for a family was $42,676. Males had a median income of $27,663 versus $21,676 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,949. About 8.40% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.90% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.

Major Cities

* Conway
* Myrtle Beach
* North Myrtle Beach

Other Cities and towns

* Aynor
* Bucksport
* Garden City
* Loris
* Socastee
* Surfside Beach

Small towns and Communities

* Allsbrook
* Atlantic Beach
* Bayboro
* Briacliffe Acres
* Brookesville
* Bucksville
* Burgess
* Carolina Forest
* Cherry Grove
* Crescent Beach
* Forestbrook
* Galivants Ferry
* Glass Hill
* Grande Dunes
* Gurley
* Hickory Grove
* Ingram Beach
* Konig
* Little River
* Longs
* Myrtle Ridge
* Nixonville
* Poplar
* Prince Creek
* Red Hill
* Slumville
* Springmaid Beach
* Wachesaw
* Wampee
* Windy Hill

Horry County, South Carolina History

Originally part of colonial Craven County (1682), Horry County has also been part of Prince George Winyah (1722), Prince Frederick (1734), and All Saints (1767) parishes, which served as early religious and civic jurisdictions. This area, which became part of newly-formed Georgetown District in 1769, was given its present boundaries and named Kingston County in 1785. In 1801, it was renamed Horry District, and, in 1868, Horry County.

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Edisto Island South Carolina

Edisto Island South Carolina

South Carolina’s best-kept secret. Edisto Island is the ultimate vacation destination and place to move too and live a quite life. Come rent or buy a beach cottage, throw a cast net for shrimp, dip your toes in the surf, or build a sandcastle. Experience the perfect combination of oceanfront beaches, saltwater marshes and Lowcountry oaks draped in Spanish moss.

Edisto SC is a quiet family island-a gathering place to renew the spirit and familial ties. It is a place of little commercialization with responsible development. We place a premium on keeping nature unspoiled in a harmony of friendly people.

Approximately 45 miles south of Charleston and east of Walterboro, coastal Highway U.S. 17 junctures with S.C. Highway 174. From there it is a leisurely 20 minute drive along Highway 174 to Edisto while passing through moss-covered oak archways, past old country churches, working farms and antebellum plantation estates. The Intra-Coastal Waterway at the McKinley Washington, Jr. Bridge marks the gateway to Edisto Island.

Edisto Beach and Edisto Island remains one of the FEW unspoiled beach areas on the East Coast. The lifestyle is fashioned in a Lowcountry profile and the area's appeal is its unstructured atmosphere. Neither permanent residents nor visitors require formality. It is a casual, relaxed, natural feeling that is experienced by all.

Some sources state that Edisto was settled before Charleston, but no records prove or disprove this statement. Records do show that Edisto was purchased from the Edistow tribe of Indians by the Earl of Shaftsbury, one of the original Lord Proprietors, for some cloth, hatchets, beads and other goods in 1674. Rice and indigo were among the first crops planted; however, Sea Island Cotton became world famous. It is reliably stated that the Pope in Rome insisted that his garments be made of Edisto Island cotton.

The cotton industry brought great prosperity to the Island and many of the Plantation owners built magnificent homes and furnished them with the very best of furniture and books. Some of these Plantation homes are still standing. You may take a tour of the Island and view some of these homes if you wish.

Following the end of the War Between The States and the advent of the boll weevil, the cotton industry died and the Islanders started truck farming, shrimping and fishing. Today, tourism is also one of the largest industries on Edisto Island.

Resort development began on Edisto Beach in the 1920s when beachgoers had to time their arrival to coincide with low tide in order to cross the marsh areas by driving on beds of oyster shells. They then crossed over the dunes to the beach and drove along the ocean to their cottages which had no electricity or running water.

Development was slow in the early days and damage from a major hurricane in 1940 destroyed many of the existing homes. Following World War II, development on Edisto Beach began to increase.

Edisto Driving Distances
Charleston SC – 45 miles
Walterboro SC – 45 miles
Columbia SC – 2.5 hours
Charlotte NC– 4 hours
Greenville SC – 4 hours
Atlanta GA– 5 hours

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