Off the Beaten Path in South Carolina. 8 Hidden Gems you Shouldn’t Miss!

If this is your first time here – WELCOME! If not, welcome back!! As full-time RV’ers, we travel and see a lot. This is part of our Opting Out of Normal series where we explore the hidden treasures in every state. Exploring the big popular attractions is something we love too! But there is just something incredible about discovering something unique, different, and taking that road less traveled. We certainly can’t explore them all, so we’d love you to share your own off the beaten path stories with us. Each blog will include at least 1 epic boondocking area, with GPS coordinates.

CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO BELOW OF THE SANTEE COASTAL RESERVE!

Tunnel-Vision – Columbia

Inspired by a dream, an artist in South Carolina created the mural known as Tunnel-Vision to create the illusion of a road to another world. Painted on a large blank wall that joins a downtown Columbia parking lot. At 50 X 75 feet large, the painting shows a portal to a world under a different moon which, if it were real, would be large enough to drive a large car through. The painting creates an optical illusion of depth and thanks to repeated additions and touch-ups by the artist over the years the scene does not seem to fade but actually improve.

The Busted Plug – you can turn around from the Tunnel-Vision wall of art, and see this. “Busted Plug Plaza” is among Sky’s most widely-recognized and impressive works. And was created by the same artist. Four stories in height and weighing 675,000 pounds, it is located on Taylor St., between Marion and Bull St. If you like interesting art as much as we do, check these out. In the picture here you can see the Tunnel Vision on the right. They share a parking lot. So you get to see both with just a short walk across the parking lot.

Location for both: Taylor and Marion Streets

Caesars Head State Park – Cleveland (Devil’s Kitchen)

Are you visiting Cleveland? Head over to this beautiful state park. Nestled on the Blue Ridge Mountains, Caesars Head State Park is known for its spectacular views of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area and is named for a granite rock formation located at the top of a long steep slope. Caesars Head rock passes through another intriguingly named geological curiosity, a narrow passageway between two giant rocks, called “Devils Kitchen.” When the trail reaches Devils Kitchen, a set of stairs descends deep down into the rocky gap, which is just wide enough for a person to pass through. The formation was created thousands of years ago, as water on the mountain froze and expanded, causing the rock to crack open from the pressure. Shortly after passing through the Devils Kitchen, the trail arrives at a small overlook offering a panoramic view of Caesars Head rock formation. The trail through Devils Kitchen is an easy hike just a short distance from the Visitor Center to the Caesars Head overlook, however, walking through the crack in the rocks requires descending a fairly steep set of stairs.

Horseback Waterfall Tour

This is a one-of-a-kind experience. You can make arrangements for the Horseback Waterfall Tour out of Pickens, SC on their website. You will be amazed and delighted to tour South Carolina’s incredible waterfalls on horseback. Because you will be so close to the border, you will also see waterfalls just over the state line in North Carolina, too! A photographer is along every ride to capture priceless moments too. This is the only horseback waterfall tour in South Carolina. It books up way in advance, so reservations are a must. Must be age 10 and over to ride. We didn’t take this tour but so many people talk about it! Did you go on this tour? If so, share your experience with us! We’d love to hear about it!

Canopy Walk at Lynches River – Coward, SC

Take a walk on a raised boardwalk that takes you through the treetops at the county park. You will cross over a couple swinging bridges. This fun county park offers 676 acres of outdoor activities, including this canopy walk. Parts of the walk are suspended more than 50 feet about the ground. Grab the kids and the teenagers alike! Really fun. 

Reedy River Falls – Greenville County

This might be a pretty popular place depending on the time of the year. Though I had not heard of it prior to doing some research on the area.  Visit Falls Park and you’ll see some amazing views. Take the scenic walk over the Liberty Bridge. So beautiful. 

Hampton Plantation – McClellanville

What a gorgeous property this is. We decided not to do the house tour and just walk around the grounds. It was Winter, and the trees in the garden area were all full of beautiful flowers. It was breathtaking! The history, the stories, the property, and even the geocache we checked out. 

Blood Moon Kayak Tour

What a fun time we had. We booked a Blood Moon Nighttime Kayaking trip. After the trip, there was a campfire, with hotdogs, and smores, and a lot of laughing and storytelling. If you’re looking for a great place to get out on the inner-Coastal waterway and do some kayaking, this is your place! Click here to check out their website!

Boondocking

Santee Coastal Reserve – Near McClellanville – GPS: 33.154569, -79.367734. Eight very large camping spots. Enough room for 2 large RV’s if you have friends. Great cell service, close to town, but only a maximum of 4 days allowed to stay. If you go in the off-season, you can ask to stay longer. When we were staying, there was only 1 other camper who was camping. A few vans came and went but it was never full.

Thank you for stopping by our little corner of the internet! We truly appreciate each and every person who takes the time to read our blogs. We’re honored you spent the last few minutes with us! If you aren’t signed up to follow us, please do! You’ll be notified of our new blogs when they go up.

Here are a few blog we think you’ll love!

• Off the Beaten Path in Florida. Our Top Hidden Gems!
• Boondocking ~ How We Spent $48 in Camping Fees For The Whole Year of 2018.
• Simple DIY RV Renovation
• Full-Time RV Life ~ Working Remotely and Staying Connected

So – You’re shopping on Amazon? I mean who doesn’t, right? Please consider using our link. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it gives us a few extra pennies. Click below to use our link and then just shop like normal. Don’t forget ~ check out within 24 hours so we get credit! Thank you!! It really means a lot to us!