This South Carolina Scenic Byway Is The Road Trip Of A Lifetime

I’ve crossed the Savannah River more times than I care to remember. But, other than exploring the wonderful River Street areas of Savannah where I’d watch massive container ships and tugboats sail past, I’d never explored other areas of this 300-plus-mile waterway.

That all changed after I finally decided to slow down a little and tackle the Savannah River Scenic Byway. This 110-mile-long National Scenic Byway generally follows the course of one of the Southeast's most historically significant waterways, beginning where Georgia’s Highway 28 crosses into South Carolina, winding through picturesque small towns and past places that played important roles in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

What did I learn? Well, I now know there’s no better way to experience an authentic slice of rural South Carolinian life. Within the course of a day, you’ll encounter three major lakes, pass through the state's only resort state park, discover a town that’s quite literally built on gold, and experience that legendary hospitality South Carolina is famous for.

Get Started at Clarks Hill

Starting at the Georgia border near Clarks Hill, you’ll immediately be confronted by Lake Thurmond, the third-largest man-made lake east of the mighty Mississippi River. First, head to the Thurmond Lake Visitor Center. Located adjacent the Thurmond Lake Dam, fascinating exhibits detail how this 1950s engineering marvel transformed the region, creating 71,000 acres of water and over 1,200 miles of shoreline in the process.

Check out the observation deck where you watch mesmerized as water thunders through the dam's spillways. If you enjoy outdoor activities, then you may want to stop a little longer at Lake Thurmond. Clarks Hill Park, just below the dam, has day-use facilities with beach access, picnic shelters, and boat ramps used by fisherfolk on the prowl for striped- and largemouth bass.

During busy summers, the lake also hosts major fishing tournaments that draw competitors from across the country. When you’re done, continue north on South Carolina Highway 28 through the small former railroad communities of Modoc and Parksville.

Stop at McCormick

Roughly 33 miles from the start of your journey, the town of McCormick deserves more than just a quick pass-through. It was here, back in the mid-1800s, that William "Fool Billy" Dorn discovered gold after his hunting dogs found a vein of the precious metal, sparking one of South Carolina's most successful gold mining operations. It went on to produce nearly $1 million in gold before the main vein was exhausted in the late 1850s.

Stop in at Heritage Gold Mine Park to see the original mine site, including the open trench where Dorn made his famous strike. There’s also a 200-foot tunnel you can explore with a guide, and on select weekends, “keep-what-you-find” gold panning experiences are available.

Downtown McCormick is also worth exploring and stretches along the railroad tracks that Cyrus McCormick, inventor of the mechanical reaper, helped bring to town after purchasing the depleted mines in 1871. Though he never found another major gold strike, his influence shaped the town that bears his name, and several red-brick buildings from McCormick’s boom years still exist.

South Carolina's Resort Park

Eight miles west of McCormick via US Route 378, Hickory Knob State Resort Park covers over 1,000-acres and combines lodging, dining, and recreational activities overlooking Lake Thurmond's northern reaches. There’s also a great Tom Jackson-designed golf course, an 18-hole affair featuring dramatic elevation changes and stunning lake views.

The lodge itself features many rooms with lakefront views, while its restaurant serves a buffet featuring Southern favorites made from fresh local ingredients. Other fun things to do here include skeet shooting and archery, both available by reservation, as well as hiking the Bartram Trail along the lake’s scenic shoreline. Swimming and fishing are also popular, and boat rentals are available.

The park is also home to the 18th-century Guillebeau House, a French Huguenot cabin providing guests with a truly unique overnight experience. While rustic (it features antique furnishings and cooking implements), it has been modernized with electricity and climate control without running its authentic character.

The Northern Stretch

North of McCormick, the byway continues along South Carolina Highway 81 for 42 miles through a landscape that’s increasingly dominated by water features. You’ll pass through Willington, Mount Carmel, and Anson before reaching an optional detour to historic Abbeville via South Carolina Highway 72. This historic town, while technically not a part of the scenic byway, is still worth a visit for its picturesque downtown if you have time. If not, you can always come back.

From here, continue north through Lowndesville and Calhoun Falls, two small communities that grew around river trade before the lakes transformed the region. The Jim Rampey Recreation Area near Calhoun Falls is another option for a lakeside stop, complete with picnic facilities and water access to the 26,650 acres of open water at Richard B. Russell Lake.

As you near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll notice a distinct shift in the character of the landscape. After passing through Iva and Starr, the route turns west on South Carolina Highway 187, then north to South Carolina Highway 24 for the final 20-mile stretch to Oakway. This portion features increasingly dramatic topography as the relatively flat lake country gives way to rolling hills leading up to the Appalachian Mountains beyond.

Journey's End

You’ll also notice that many small churches now dot the countryside, some dating as far back as the 1800s, their cemeteries holding generations of farming families who worked the land before the lakes arrived. Roadside produce stands appear seasonally, selling everything from summer tomatoes and corn to fall apples from nearby mountain orchards.

Your journey concludes in Oakway, where the Savannah River Scenic Byway meets the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (South Carolina Highway 11), another of South Carolina's four National Scenic Byways.

This intersection leaves you with a choice: continue exploring via the mountain route that runs along the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains or use nearby Interstate 85 to head for home (or a hotel). Many travelers choose to make this a loop adventure, combining both scenic byways for a comprehensive tour of South Carolina's Upstate region.

Lake Hartwell State Park, just south of the byway's endpoint, is a great place to finish your South Carolina scenic road trip adventure. In addition to camping, bring a towel and take a dip in Lake Hartwell, and lounge about as you reflect on the awesome byway you just finished exploring.

There’s no doubt that the Savannah River Scenic Byway delivers an authentic South Carolina experience. Sure, while this epic 110-mile route can be driven in under three hours, don’t be tempted to speed past the best attractions and small towns situated along the route. Instead, allow a full day or even a weekend to discover just why this region has become one of the Southeast's favorite escapes.