From the gorgeous views in the foothills to the ACE Basin, South Carolina delivers BIG in the category of natural wonders. It comes as no surprise that tourism is such a big industry in the Palmetto State when there is just so much to see and do! Take South Carolina’s natural wonders road trip, and you’ll see the Palmetto State as you’ve never seen it before.

Here’s a link to the Google Map that’ll guide you to your locations, and you can alter it as well if you’d like to.

Google Maps
In all, the trip is just shy of eight hours of driving time. Here are the locations you'll get to visit up close and in person as you meander across the state (with purpose).
1. Botany Bay - Edisto Island
Alistair Nicole/Flickr
Get an early morning start, and you may catch a sunrise like this one on the beach at Botany Bay! This place is particularly special because it offers a view of South Carolina as it once was, with a fully-preserved look at what the area looked like during frontier days.
Botany Bay Road, Botany Bay Rd, Edisto Island, SC 29438, USA
Brandon Hixson/Flickr
As a bonus: Botany Bay Road on Edisto Island has this massive tunnel of trees that makes the trek out to Botany Bay even more exciting. Seriously, it's worth the detour! Botany Bay is one of the best natural wonders in South Carolina.

2. Angel Oak Park - Johns Island
Gary Scott/Flickr
At Angel Oak Park you'll get up close and personal with the oldest living thing on the East Coast: an incredibly stunning oak tree thought to be more than 500 years old. Imagine the things it's seen!
Angel Oak Tree, 3688 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455, USA
Via Tsuji/Flickr
It offers an incredible 17,000 square feet of shade, and many of its limbs are so large and so heavy that they rest upon the ground.

3. Congaree National Park - Hopkins
Scott Oves/Flickr
You'll forever remember your visit to this National Park in the Palmetto State. Congaree National Park is the largest tract of old-growth bottom land hardwood forest in the nation... and it's stunning.

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Congaree National Park, South Carolina 29061, USA
Alyson Hurt/Flickr
The park has many trails, several of which are boardwalks. The trails you can choose from range in length from 0.7 miles to 11 miles long, so take your pick! Made up of more than just big trees, this park is a nature lover's paradise. We have now hit the half-way mark on this road trip in South Carolina!
4. Forty Acre Rock - Kershaw
Ed McDonald/Flickr
Our natural wonders in South Carolina road trip continues with the Forty Acre Rock Hertitage Preserve showcases a diverse habitat with a colorful palette of growth both in the pools and out.
40 Acre Rock Heritage Preserve, 2207 Conservancy Rd, Kershaw, SC 29067, USA
Southern High Lifer/YouTube
There's much to see here at Forty Acre Rock, including a waterfall, a cave, and long-range views from atop the rock. If you want to discover the waterfalls, walk along the creek, or take a peek inside the cave next to the big waterfall, you'll need to park in the lower parking lot. But, fair warning: it's a long and more-strenuous hike to the top of Forty Acre Rock. On the other hand, if you want a shorter and more level path to the top of the rock, then definitely park in the upper parking lot. This is one of the most extraordinary of South Carolina's natural wonders.

5. Table Rock State Park - Pickens
Randy Nichols/Flickr
There's so much to see and do at this park that you'll be amazed. Plan to spend some time here exploring! For starters, you can hike on any of the many trails where you'll discover some great waterfalls.
Table Rock State Park Road, Table Rock State Park Rd, South Carolina 29671, USA
Google Maps
Or, you can skip the trails and fish and/or kayak/canoe. The 3,083-acre park Table Rock State Park contains the state's largest landmark: a natural hunk of granite so big that, from outer space, it looks like the diamond head of a snake with its tail trailing behind in the adjoining mountain range.
6. Twin Falls - Sunset
David Ellis/Flickr
This set of falls is simply spectacular. The hike in is relatively easy, following along a creek path and only 2.3 miles out and back.
Twin Falls Trail, Waterfalls Rd, Sunset, SC 29685, USA
Lucid Nightmare/Flickr
Your trip will end at an observation deck that's perfect for capturing great photos of both falls. But if you want a shot like this one, you'll have to work a little harder to end up at the foot of the falls. Twin Falls is one of the best natural wonders in South Carolina.

This South Carolina’s natural wonders road trip is sure to show you this state as you’ve never seen it before. If you decide to make a weekend of it, you can spend the night at the halfway point in Columbia or Camden. Gas up the car (or charge your EV) and let’s hit the road. This is one of the best road trips in South Carolina!

If you’re keen on seeing more of the state via road trips, you’ll love the Ultimate Waterfalls Road Trip In South Carolina.

 

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More to Explore

Natural Wonders in South Carolina

Tori Jane | February 23, 2021

What are the most beautiful places in South Carolina?

Among the most beautiful places in South Carolina are:

  • The cypress gardens in Moncks Corner also has a butterfly garden.
  • Yellow Branch Falls in Walhalla is a 50-foot-high waterfall that flows for most of the year.
  • In Salem, there's Lake Jocassee which is stunningly beautiful and blue.

 

Check out this article for more beautiful places in South Carolina, 

What are some things to see in South Carolina?

Some of the fascinating things to see in South Carolina include some of its dynamic landscapes and fascinating history and places like these:

  • Caesar's Head State Park offers views of the Pinnacle Mountains and Table Rock.
  • Hilton Head Lighthouse in Hilton Head, South Carolina is both historic and beautiful.
  • The ruins of The Old Sheldon Church are a must-see.

 

Where are some popular hiking trails in South Carolina?

Some of the most popular hiking trails in South Carolina are:

  • Table Rock Trail at Table Rock State Park.
  • Rainbow Falls Trail at Jones Gap State Park where there are numerous waterfalls.
  • Sulphur Springs Trail at Paris Mountain State Park.

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