Savannah River Scenic Byway
Touring the Savannah River Scenic Byway
| Departure: | Clarks Hill Recreation Area, South Carolina |
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| Destination: | Abbeville, South Carolina |
| Time to allow: | 1 day |
Take a trip along the pathway of the Savannah River, stopping in the beautiful hills and towns of South Carolina.
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Start: Clarks Hill Recreation Area
Pack a lunch, bring your swimsuit, or just grab a frisbee for some fun at Clarks Hill Recreation Area.
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Stop 1: J. Strom Thurmond Visitor Center
Directions from previous place: From the visitor center follow US 221 for approximately 2 miles and the park is located on the left.
Distance from Previous Site: 2 miles / 3.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 5 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 45 minutes Learn about the history of the reservoir and listen to the distinctive sounds of local birds at the J. Strom Thurmond Visitor Center. Interactive displays will teach you what the lake is all about.
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Stop 2: Hamilton Branch State Park
Directions from previous place: Go northeast on US-221 for 1.7 miles before turning left onto SC-28. After 6.3 miles, end at Hamilton Branch State Park.
Distance from Previous Site: 8.07 miles / 12.9 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 11 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours At Hamilton Branch State Park, you can hike along wooded trail to view a variety of animals or take your fishing pole or boat to the Strom Thurmond Lake to enjoy a day on the water.
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Stop 3: McCormick
Directions from previous place: Drive northwest on SC-28 for 12.3 miles, take a right onto US-22 and then a left onto N. Pine St. to end at McCormick.
Distance from Previous Site: 12.53 miles / 20.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 19 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 4 hours Visit the historic town of McCormick, built on gold mine tunnels and maintaining the flavor of the past. Along with the historic McCormick Depot, walk along the street to take in the hotels that have been standing since the turn of the 20th century. Get a bite at the McCormick Hotel, and Storm's Drug Store on Main Street still offers fountain cokes, ice cream and shakes as it has for decades.
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Stop 4: Baker Creek State Park
Directions from previous place: Drive southeast on N. Pine St, then make a right onto US-221. After 3.9 miles, end at Baker Creek State Park.
Distance from Previous Site: 3.93 miles / 6.3 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 6 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 45 minutes Situated in a heavily wooded area with rolling terrain, enjoy a wide range of camping and fishing opportunities; a 10-mile mountain biking trail and a lake front pavilion to enjoy the unequaled views of the Piedmont forest and the wildlife residing within.
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Stop 5: Willington
Directions from previous place: Drive southwest on US-378, then turn right onto SC-7; drive for 6.6 miles before making a left onto SC-81. After 2.6 miles, turn right onto SC-S-33-30 to end at Willington.
Distance from Previous Site: 11.4 miles / 18.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 22 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Visit what was once the home of the Willington Academy, established by the famous educator Moses Waddel and get a taste of history of the Old South.
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Stop 6: Calhoun Falls State Park
Directions from previous place: Drive south on SC-S-33-39, then make a right onto SC-81. After 13.2 miles, turn left onto Calhoun Falls State Park Rd, then make a right onto Maintenance Shop Rd. to end at Calhoun Falls State Park.
Distance from Previous Site: 13.93 miles / 22.3 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 27 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 45 minutes Visit Calhoun Falls State Park, located on Lake Russell and one of South Carolina's most popular fishing lakes. Enjoy a day of fishing, water skiing, sailing or power boating.
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End: Abbeville
Directions from previous place: Drive southwest on Maintenance Shop Rd before turning left onto Calhoun Falls State, then right onto Calhoun St. After 1.1 miles, turn left onto SC-7; turn right to stay on the road. After 14.7 miles, turn left on S. Main St, then take a left onto Washington St. to end at Abbeville.
Distance from Previous Site: 17.08 miles / 27.3 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes The town of Abbeville is the perfect place for antique hounds and history buffs, with the Burt-Stark Mansion, dozens of antique shops, boutiques, historic churches and cafes.
