When you hop off the Palmetto State’s many interstate highways and onto some of the backroads of South Carolina, the things you discover there are phenomenal. Here are 10 things to do and places to go in South Carolina that will carry you over some great backroads getting there.

  1. Botany Bay (Editors note: since this article was published the beach access bridge to Botany Bay was wiped out by Hurricane Matthew. Until access is restored the only access to the beach is via your own boat.)

Flickr/Alistair Nicol

Flickr/Brandon Hixson Jump off SC-174 en route to Edisto Beach onto Botany Bay Road for an excursion of a lifetime. If you love low-hanging moss covered trees and amazing barren beaches, this off-the-beaten-path spot is perfect for you. (Botany Bay Rd, Edisto Island, SC 29438)

  1. Campbell’s Covered Bridge

Flickr/Harry Wagner This beauty is located in Northeast Greenville County. Explore a two-lane highway that takes you to the unpaved road (no longer in service) where this famous South Carolina bridge is located. (171 Campbell Covered Bridge Rd, Landrum, SC 29356)

  1. Twin Falls

Flickr/David Ellis Conveniently located on a private (but passable) preserve, this set of waterfalls is a spectacular sight! Travel through some picturesque South Carolina country to get there too. (Twin Falls - Water Falls Rd, Sunset, SC 29685)

  1. Lake Wateree State Park

Flickr/Betty Jordan Depending on which way you travel on this two-lane country road, you could end up actually crossing the lake twice before you arrive at the state park. Gorgeous! (881 State Park Rd, Winnsboro, SC 29180)

  1. Tent camping at Devils Fork State Park

Flickr/Timothy J You’ll likely travel over one of the most picturesque roads in the state - the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway - before you make the turn toward Devils Fork State Park. Expect a whole new adventure once you leave SC-11. Just beautiful.

  1. The Woodpecker Trail (US 121)

Google Maps [streetview] The Woodpecker Trail (a.k.a. SC-121) is possibly the oldest route from Charlotte to Florida. It’s a charming drive across the state. You can hop on this route in Fort Mill and head south. More info and maps here.

  1. Angel Oak Park

Flickr/Via Tsuji Hop off Charleston’s Maybank Highway onto the dirt and sand Angel Oak Road to go see this magnificent beauty. Both Maybank and Angel Oak Roads are full of charm. You’ll love the drive - and the tree! (3688 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455)

  1. A strange phenonemon that’s too weird at this bridge.

Panoramio/herdintheupstate On Sardis Road, on the way to Rose Hill Plantation in Union County, you’ll find a mysterious spot where gravity seems to defy nature. This “gravity hill” is known to deceptively make you think your car is rolling uphill when, in fact, it’s rolling backwards.

  1. Old Sheldon Church Ruins

© Robin Jarvis Some would say that the ride down Old Sheldon Church Road is nearly as beautiful as the ruins themselves. You can see for yourself and let us know. (Old Sheldon Church Rd, Yemassee, SC 29945)

  1. The ghost town of Pinckneyville, SC

Flickr/MarksPhotoTravels There’s an entire network of backroads surrounding the ghost town of Pinckneyville in South Carolina. Enjoy getting here and enjoy exploring this creepy ghost town. (Here’s the location on Google Maps)

Have fun exploring the backroads getting to these interesting and fun places to see in South Carolina. Have you been to any of them yet? We’d love to know in our comments!

Flickr/Alistair Nicol

Flickr/Brandon Hixson

Jump off SC-174 en route to Edisto Beach onto Botany Bay Road for an excursion of a lifetime. If you love low-hanging moss covered trees and amazing barren beaches, this off-the-beaten-path spot is perfect for you. (Botany Bay Rd, Edisto Island, SC 29438)

Flickr/Harry Wagner

This beauty is located in Northeast Greenville County. Explore a two-lane highway that takes you to the unpaved road (no longer in service) where this famous South Carolina bridge is located. (171 Campbell Covered Bridge Rd, Landrum, SC 29356)

Flickr/David Ellis

Conveniently located on a private (but passable) preserve, this set of waterfalls is a spectacular sight! Travel through some picturesque South Carolina country to get there too. (Twin Falls - Water Falls Rd, Sunset, SC 29685)

Flickr/Betty Jordan

Depending on which way you travel on this two-lane country road, you could end up actually crossing the lake twice before you arrive at the state park. Gorgeous! (881 State Park Rd, Winnsboro, SC 29180)

Flickr/Timothy J

You’ll likely travel over one of the most picturesque roads in the state - the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway - before you make the turn toward Devils Fork State Park. Expect a whole new adventure once you leave SC-11. Just beautiful.

Google Maps [streetview]

The Woodpecker Trail (a.k.a. SC-121) is possibly the oldest route from Charlotte to Florida. It’s a charming drive across the state. You can hop on this route in Fort Mill and head south. More info and maps here.

Flickr/Via Tsuji

Hop off Charleston’s Maybank Highway onto the dirt and sand Angel Oak Road to go see this magnificent beauty. Both Maybank and Angel Oak Roads are full of charm. You’ll love the drive - and the tree! (3688 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455)

Panoramio/herdintheupstate

On Sardis Road, on the way to Rose Hill Plantation in Union County, you’ll find a mysterious spot where gravity seems to defy nature. This “gravity hill” is known to deceptively make you think your car is rolling uphill when, in fact, it’s rolling backwards.

© Robin Jarvis

Some would say that the ride down Old Sheldon Church Road is nearly as beautiful as the ruins themselves. You can see for yourself and let us know. (Old Sheldon Church Rd, Yemassee, SC 29945)

Flickr/MarksPhotoTravels

There’s an entire network of backroads surrounding the ghost town of Pinckneyville in South Carolina. Enjoy getting here and enjoy exploring this creepy ghost town. (Here’s the location on Google Maps)

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