Article by Clayton Hensley of Knox Road Tripper.
Nature and history collide along the highways and backroads of South Carolina’s Old 96 District taking you on an unforgettable journey. From lakes along the Savannah River to battle grounds of the Revolutionary War, outdoor opportunities abound in this part of the Palmetto State.
South Carolina’s Freshwater Coast
From its start in South Carolina’s Upcountry, dams along the Savannah River form a series of lakes running along the Georgia State Line. The hundreds of miles of shoreline created remain mostly undeveloped. This makes it easy to find a serene setting, get soaked, or make a splash along the “Freshwater Coast.”
Start your vacation by hitting the beach at places like Calhoun Falls State Park in Abbeville County. Encompassing 318 acres, this “coastal” playground provides prime fishing; places to paddle or boat along the water; camp in the forest; or sink your feet into the sand and water. Start your journey at the Park Store and Visitor Center where you’ll find maps of the park, picnic and camping supplies and souvenirs. While there walk out to the shore and soak in the view and feel free to take a selfie at the Park Sign facing the water. For overnight stays there are nearly 100 campsites in the park’s three campgrounds.
Calhoun Falls state Park gets its name from a nearby town where a set of shoals once flowed along the Savannah River. Just south of town you’ll find the Richard B. Russell Dam. To get a great view of this engineering wonder head down SC 81 and follow the signs to the Russell Dam Overlook. While you are there be sure and check out the displays showing the history of the area including the story of a major bridge that now sits 60 feet underwater.
Another popular spot on the lake is The Blue Hole. This small recreation area in Calhoun Falls surrounds a quiet part of the lake that is perfect for kayaks and canoes. You’ll find picnic shelters and a small stage and amphitheater there too.
People looking for a resort experience will want to check out Hickory Knob State Park outside of McCormick. In addition to abundant access to Lake Strom Thurmond, this park features a lodge, golf course and a restaurant. Baker Creek State Park is also nearby.
Driving along the Freshwater Coast
A large mural in Downtown McCormick outlines the importance of railroads in the area, but it also illustrates the immense size of the “Freshwater Coast.” After taking time to enjoy McCormick’s charm, its gold mining history, or having a cup of coffee or a bite to eat, hit the road and take U.S. 221 south for even more opportunities to soak in views of the lakeside and more.
If old buildings could talk, you’d probably want to spend hours in the tiny town of Plum Branch. With fewer than 100 people, this town along the railroad tracks manages to grab your attention in several ways. First off, a couple of brightly colored murals adorn the collection of buildings “downtown.” Most buildings are vacant, but each seem to call out saying they won’t be forgotten.
A few miles away in the town of Parksville, Strom Thurmond Lake comes into view and a wayside park invites you to stop and take a closer look. Towering pine trees line up against the shoreline with the sun glistening on the water. This captivating view stretches out to the horizon. Enjoy it as a brief stop while heading along the highway or bring a picnic and enjoy it in the pavilion. Round out your Freshwater Coast road trip visiting Hamilton Branch State Park and continue on U.S. 221 down to the Strom Thurmond Dam.
Backwoods and Battlefields
When you’re looking for outdoor adventure or just a change of scenery, road trips along the Old 96 District’s backroads offer plenty of opportunities. Just a few miles out of Historic Abbeville, you enter a 100,000+ acre section of the Sumter National Forest.
Between Abbeville and McCormick you’ll find these places to enjoy the great outdoors:
- Parsons Mountain Recreation Area and Lake
- Candy Branch Rifle Range
- Long Cane Horse Trails
- Fell Hunt Campground
- Parsons Mountain and Cedar Springs OHV Trails
Just driving through the National Forest can make you feel like you are on an outdoor adventure. As you move along the roads, the rich farmland of the Old 96 District gives way to a wide swath of tall trees, small streams and abundant natural beauty. And like most everywhere you go in the area, there’s a surprising bit of history in the middle of it all.
At the Abbeville/Greenwood County line you’ll find a break in the forest with a collection of houses and other buildings nestled among the trees. The Cedar Springs Historic District was once a thriving farming community. What remains are the Stagecoach Inn, the Frazier-Pressley House and the Cedar Springs APR Church and Cemetery. These are not public sites but are visible from the road.
The Old 96 District gets its name from a Revolutionary War era fort and battlefield near the town of Ninety-Six. The wide-open spaces and trails around the Nintety-Six National Historic Site give you plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors and learn a few things along the way. Just remember on a hot summer day there isn’t any shade while hiking on the battlefield, but some of the trails leading to it provide a little natural heat relief.
And while this part of South Carolina isn’t known for waterfalls, you will find one at the Battle of Muscgrove Mill State Historic Site near Clinton. Horseshoe Falls along the Enoree River is easily accessible and definitely worth a visit. While in the park you can also walk along the Enoree River in several places and explore what happened here during the Revolutionary War.
Big events like the South Carolina Festival of Flowers and the Discovery Festival in Greenwood feature elaborate topiaries that come to life in greenhouses near Uptown. Walking to see them all is certainly a great outdoor activity you might also consider. And if walking isn’t your thing, but want to do something fun outdoors, be sure and check out a move a the triple screen 25 Drive-In.
With so many places to explore outdoors, where will your adventure start?
