These South Carolina Towns Have The Best Views In The State
South Carolina is filled with islands, beaches, mountains, and waterfalls, offering locals and visitors scenery for days. This state's most beautiful destinations are in or around small towns where the views simply speak for themselves. If you want to see dreamy beach sunsets, head to the Sea Islands of Beaufort, where the forests line up along the saltwater. Waterfalls and more forests define the landscape of Walhalla, while towering mountains increase Travelers Rest's appeal. If you are in it for the views only, the following towns will not disappoint.
Beaufort
Beaufort's views are concentrated on the water and the woods. The Cypress Wetlands in Port Royal features a half-mile trail along the swamp, where the Great Blue Heron and Snowy Egret live among alligators. From here, the views open up to Battery Creek as visitors stroll to the Port Royal boardwalk and climb the observation tower. Along the boardwalk and from the top of the tower, there are water views as far as the eye can see. Beaufort is also home to Waterfront Park, which looks out over the Beaufort River, where rainbows often appear after thunderstorms. There are more water views at the nearby Hunting Island State Park where massive driftwood trunks line the pale sand. To one side of the driftwood lies the ocean, and to the other, dunes. There is also a maritime forest and several marshes to explore here.
McClellanville
The views in McClellanville are magical, starting with the Deerhead Oak tree at the corner of Pinckney and Oak Streets. The tree is believed to be more than a thousand years old, and merchant William Peter Beckman once opened a store underneath its branches near the end of the Civil War. In town, the St. James Santee Episcopal Chapel of Ease stands out as well, with its gingerbread-house trim, wood paneling, and stained-glass windows. There are historic pre-Civil War-era homes to see throughout the town before heading to the blackwater swamps of the Wambaw Creek Wilderness Area Kayak and Canoe Trail in the Francis Marion National Forest. The creek is tidal and sits among glorious cypress and tupelo trees. There is also lots of wildlife to see in the area. Those with some time on their hands will find more open water views when taking the ferry to Bulls Island, where Boneyard Beach features felled trees on the shore. The sunrise views are the best, with visitors taking a safari-style ride across the island to get to the beach just as the first rays hit.
Travelers Rest
Travelers Rest boasts fantastic views just about everywhere you look. The Green Line of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail network starts just north of town and runs past Greenville. Along the way, walkers or cyclists will find themselves among bright green trees with branches that meet overhead. On the Travelers Rest end, visitors will also find a gazebo and benches where they can try to spot the 'swamp rabbit.' There are mountain views at Trailblazer Park as well as several green spaces. The park sits at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is accessible via the Swamp Rabbit Trail spur. People particularly enjoy the views in summer, whether during the Music in the Park Concert Series or while browsing the Travelers Rest Farmers Market. Visitors can also enjoy the mountain vista at Eagle Mountain Winery, where the Blue Ridge mountain backdrop blends into the winery grounds, creating a wonderful sight.
Clemson
Clemson is filled with flowers, thanks to the South Carolina Botanical Garden, and the Blue Ridge Mountains are also still visible in the distance. Located less than an hour away from Travelers Rest, the botanical garden is Clemson's main attraction. It comprises 230 acres of blooms, walking trails, and green landscapes. Not far from the garden, visitors can access Abernathy Waterfront Park, where the reflections of beautiful trees in the calm waters of Lake Hartwell create a tranquil atmosphere. Visitors can launch kayaks and canoes here to enjoy the water views up close, or they can stroll the boardwalk and relax on the benches. More trees await at the Clemson Experimental Forest, where 17,500 acres of forest hide more than 100 miles of hiking trails. The forest also provides access to Lake Hartwell, and the Issaqueena Trail is great for lake views. This trail and some of the others, including Todds Creek and Fant's Grove, lead to waterfalls. These include the Six Mile Creek Falls, Meadow Falls, and Todds Creek Falls.
Walhalla
South Carolina's best views extend all the way to Walhalla, also known as the Main Street to the Mountains. This nickname is quite literal considering the main street downtown leads to the Sumter National Forest and the National Wild and Scenic Chattooga River. The Stumphouse Park borders the forest and offers 440 acres of waterfalls, trails, the Stumphouse Tunnel, and the Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park. The picnic area overlooks a pond that visitors can enjoy before exploring the tunnel. There is only a sixteen-mile distance between Clemson and Walhalla, which means visitors can also access Issaqueena Falls from the Walhalla side. The waterfall is 100 feet tall, and its water comes from Cane Creek. In addition to the water views, there are more mountain views to enjoy, starting with the Stumphouse Passage of the Palmetto Trail. Those who want to get in some forest views can head to Station Cove Falls, a trail that runs through an Appalachian cove forest leading to the 60-foot waterfall.
Find A Front Row Seat In South Carolina
There are gorgeous views throughout these towns for visitors to stand in awe of. Just picture yourself standing beneath the ancient canopy of a 1,000-year-old oak, or watching the sunrise light up a driftwood beach. Imagine the blue ridges of a mountain trail, or watching the reflection of trees framed in fall foliage shimmering in calm waters. All you need to do to make this a reality is pick a town and find a front-row seat.
