If you have a hankering for a road trip loaded with interesting details, then follow the Pacolet River in Tryon along this scenic drive through North Carolina. Starting at the South Carolina state line, this byway parallels U.S. Route 176 through the Tryon “Thermal Belt”, intersects the Pacolet River many times, and traces the Saluda Grade. Some of your discoveries along the way include an old railroad depot; breathtaking waterfalls; a bronze, memorial sculpture; and a log cabin. But the sky’s the limit when adding the unlimited stops of your choosing along your way. Or take it slow, walk along a wooded path, and breathe in the natural beauty this scenic drive in North Carolina has to offer.

A tributary of the Broad River, the Pacolet River is about 50 miles long in northwestern South Carolina and a small portion of western North Carolina.
NCDOT.GOV
The 11-mile Pacolet River Byway runs through Polk County. Follow US. Route 176 or Trade Street for 1.6 miles, and turn left at the traffic light.
Continue for about a mile to Harmon Field Road. You can opt for an extension by turning right onto this road and continuing 0.7 miles to N.C. State Route 108, or Lynn Road, to add about another mile to your trip one way.
pacolet river in tryon nc
Harmon Field, 117 Harmon Field Rd, Tryon, NC 28782, USA
Janet Gray, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Turn left and go 0.5 miles to where the extension ends at the Pacolet River. Take a stroll on the quarter-mile Harmon Field Walkway in Tryon. Or remain on the main route if you like, by driving straight on U.S. Route 176.
Here you will find a relaxing park, too, offering lots of options to stretch your legs and run around, and play in the beautiful space.
Michael T/TripAdvisor
To return to the main byway, backtrack on N.C. State Route 108 and Harmon Field Road to U.S. Route 176, and turn right.
If you make a stop here, be sure to bring your camera, as there are multiple photo opportunities at Pearson's Falls nature preserve, near Saluda.
Pearson's Falls, North Carolina 28773, USA
Barbara B/TripAdvisor
Check out these waterfalls near me in North Carolina.
Especially in the fall when the leaves are crunchy and kicking them up around you brings a craving for a bonfire with marshmallows.
Ospreygrad/TripAdvisor

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Only about a quarter-mile in the big reward comes with the dramatic vision and tranquil sounds of the cascading 90-foot falls on the Pacolet River.
Gary Stevens from Asheville NC, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Then sit a spell along this 275-acre botanical preserve, look around and enjoy the breathtaking wildlife sanctuary.
cheryl h/TripAdvisor
Continue driving on U.S. Route 176 for the next 7.5 miles through Saluda to the Henderson County line.
Updated Tryon Cabin on Pacolet River/VRBO
This is where the byway ends. If you need a place to sleep once you've explored Tryon, this charming riverfront cabin offers an unforgettable stay!
But your trip doesn't have to end with so much to see in this charming town.
pacolet river in tryon nc
Nina Simone Plaza, 60-74 S Trade St, Tryon, NC 28782, USA
Rodney F. Witcher/Google
The Nina Simone Project honors the extraordinary life and legacy of this Tryon, North Carolina native, originally named Eunice Waymon.
And lots more history can be found at the Saluda Historic Depot & Museum.
Saluda Historic Depot and Museum, 32 W Main St, Saluda, NC 28773, USA
Anne M/TripAdvisor
What makes this place so interesting is the Saluda Grade which peaks at the top of this small mountain village and wears the crown as the steepest, mainline, standard gauge railroad in the country.
Here is evidence that navigating the Saluda Grade was challenging and sometimes fatal.
Saluda Historic Depot/Facebook
From 1880 to 1894, there were four tragic wrecks as the trains plunged down the mountainside crippling and killing some of the men.

For more day trip ideas in North Carolina, check out this YouTube by US Historians for some of the best places to visit in our state. 

Hopefully you are inspired to gather up the gang or just go solo and enjoy the beautiful Pacolet River along this scenic drive through North Carolina. And if you find yourself wanting more, try out this list of 10 beautiful byways in North Carolina that are perfect for a picturesque day trip. Have a great time and don’t forget to share some of the details.

If you’re planning more road trip adventures, be sure to read our article featuring road trip must-have items to make your packing a breeze.

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More to Explore

SCENIC DRIVE IN NORTH CAROLINA & RELATED INFO

Melanie J. | August 25, 2023

What are some more scenic drives in North Carolina?
There are lots of scenic drives in North Carolina, and these are the ones that we recommend:

  • Blue Ridge Parkway
  • Outer Banks Scenic Byway
  • Waterfall Byway, US 64
  • Colonial Heritage Byway
  • Mt. Mitchell Scenic Byway
  • Cherohala Skyway
  • Hanging Rock Scenic Byway
  • Roanoke Voyages Corridor
  • Tail of the Dragon
  • Alligator River Route


Read more in our previous article about these scenic drives in North Carolina.

What are some of the best attractions in North Carolina?
We have so many attractions in North Carolina that belong on your bucket list. Here are 10 attractions that we like the best:

  • Chimney Rock State Park, Chimney Rock
  • North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro
  • Discovery Diving Co Inc, Beaufort
  • Carowinds, Charlotte
  • Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington
  • North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
  • NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte
  • The Outer Banks of North Carolina
  • The North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville
  • Whitewater Falls, Whitewater River


Discover more by visiting our web page highlighting some of the best attractions in North Carolina.

What are the best road trips in North Carolina?
The best way to see the state is by car, and luckily, there are tons of road trips in North Carolina that are worth the drive. These are the 10 road trip ideas that you will love:


To find out more about these adventures, read our previous article about the best road trips in North Carolina.

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