When you think of incredible water views in South Carolina your mind may naturally be drawn to the coast. But there are many other waterfront places in the Palmetto State that have amazing views. We decided to spread the word and spread the love. Here are some waterfront places in South Carolina that perhaps you haven’t heard of but should definitely add to your bucket list.
- Devils Fork State Park - Salem, SC
Facebook/Rebecca Craig via Devils Fork State Park A drive on the Cherokee Scenic Highway (SC 11) to Salem, SC is an added bonus to spending time at Devils Fork State Park on Lake Jocassee. The spot is perfect for hiking, swimming, boating, paddleboarding or just plan old relaxing.
Address: 161 Holcombe Cir, Salem, SC 29676
- Apache Pier - Myrtle Beach, SC
Peter Miller/Flickr You can catch a jaw-dropping view like this one at the Apache Pier in Myrtle Beach if you’re there at sunrise. The longest wooden pier on the East Coast is open every day of the year. They also have a bait and tackle shop in case you want to try your luck at landing “the big one.”
Address: Apache Pier, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
- Santee State Park - Santee, SC
Rain0975/Flickr Santee State Park is in the Sandhills of South Carolina on Lake Marion, a 110,000 acre paradise plopped right in the middle of the Palmetto State. If you can’t pull yourself away from the view, the park has two campgrounds or you can choose to rent one of several round cabins on a pier over the water. Hint: the popularity of the cabins makes the reservations fill up quickly, so get yours early in the year.
Address: 251 State Park Rd, Santee, SC 29142
- Harry’s Fish Camp - Pineville, SC
Facebook/Harrys Fish Camp photo by Carol Gunter For family outings to a weekend fishing trip with the guys, Harry’s is one of many fish camps on South Carolina’s lakes. But Harry’s is special because they’ve staked a claim to the title, “Oldest Fish Camp on the Santee Cooper Lakes.” Perched at the entrance to the Diversion Canal, Harry’s is in a prime location for launching your kayak, canoe, boat, or for fishing from one of their docks. Or, you could just hang out and enjoy the gorgeous water views.
Address: 320 Harrys Camp Rd, Pineville, SC 29468
- Harbour Town - Hilton Head Island, SC
Jim Crotty/Flickr The photographer aptly named this image “Super moon over Harbour Town.” (Thank you Jim Crotty.) Golf enthusiasts who’ve been to the annual Heritage PGA Tournament in Hilton Head will recognize this setting as the gathering spot for cocktails after a fun day of watching pro golf.
Address: 149 Lighthouse Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
- Chau Ram County Park - Westminster, SC
Facebook/Chau Ram County Park Oconee County’s best kept secret is now “out of the bag.” Chau Ram County Park is a delightful adventure that starts with a 40-foot waterfall right next to the parking area. Trails and other adventures abound throughout this great little gem in the upstate. Take a walk across the county’s longest suspension bridge - by the way, it’s wooden - as you cross the Chauga River to more great trails on the other side. Bring the family and a picnic and enjoy this waterside adventure and the views in Westminster, SC.
Address: 1220 Chau Ram Park Rd, Westminster, SC 29693
- Remley’s Point Boat Landing - Mount Pleasant, SC
Becky/Flickr Remley’s Point Boat Landing is a public boat launch in Mount Pleasant. Popular among the locals for the sheer convenience, this is mostly a parking area for vehicles and trailers. There is a small amount of green space at the landing, but there are no public facilities. Still, the vantage point makes Remleys a great place to catch a sunset with the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the City of Charleston on the horizon.
Address: 282 5th Ave, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
- The Pavilion Rooftop Bar - Charleston, SC
Facebook/Pavilion Rooftop Bar From high atop the Market Pavilion Hotel adjacent to Charleston’s City Market the view is awe-inspiring. Not only is there a full view of the Charleston Harbor, but the Pavilion Bar on the roof of this first-class hotel also has an infinity pool and lots of glam to feast the eyes upon.
Address: 225 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
- South Cove County Park on Lake Keowee - Seneca, SC
Facebook/South Cove County Park Views of Lake Keowee in the Upstate are breathtaking. Here’s an aerial look at beautiful South Cove County Park on Lake Keowee in Seneca, SC.
Address: 1031 S Cove Rd, Seneca, SC 29672
- Lower Falls - Falls Park on the Reedy - Greenville, SC
Chris/Flickr Phenomenal water views are available in the heart of downtown Greenville, SC. The waters of the Reedy River cascade over the rocks high above Falls Park, right in front of the Liberty Bridge (a spectacle in its own right.) The “upper falls” are perhaps the most photographed and therefore easily recognized. Here we show you the “lower falls” that are also located in Falls Park. They are just around the bend from the “upper falls.” Beautiful.
Address: 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601
- Rainbow Falls at Jones Gap State Park - Marietta, SC
Scott Oves/Flickr Even if you’re an avid hiker, this one may be best enjoyed from your desktop or handheld device. Getting to Rainbow Falls involves a 2.2 mile hike that’s considered a difficult trek for most; for some it’s downright dangerous. But if you can make it out there then Rainbow Falls showcases a 100-foot free-fall of H20. Well worth the trip!
Address: 303 Jones Gap RD, Marietta, SC 29661
- Riverfront Park - North Charleston, SC
North Charleston/Flickr
North Charleston/Flickr Riverfront Park in North Charleston has become a favorite for locals and for visitors. With a spectacular vantage point overlooking the Cooper River it’s easy to see why.
Address: 1001 Everglades Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
- Cedar Falls - Fountain Inn, SC
OurUpstateSC.info Cedar Falls is located in Southern Greenville County. The Reedy River that flows through downtown Greenville makes its way through Fountain Inn before exiting the county a little to the south. It may not be so obvious in this photo, but the river widens to 200 feet at the falls - prompting the falls’ nickname “Little Niagara.”
Address: 201 Cedar Falls Road, Fountain Inn, SC 29644
We’re blessed in South Carolina with a ton of great places to grab a great water view.
Facebook/Rebecca Craig via Devils Fork State Park
A drive on the Cherokee Scenic Highway (SC 11) to Salem, SC is an added bonus to spending time at Devils Fork State Park on Lake Jocassee. The spot is perfect for hiking, swimming, boating, paddleboarding or just plan old relaxing.
Address: 161 Holcombe Cir, Salem, SC 29676
Peter Miller/Flickr
You can catch a jaw-dropping view like this one at the Apache Pier in Myrtle Beach if you’re there at sunrise. The longest wooden pier on the East Coast is open every day of the year. They also have a bait and tackle shop in case you want to try your luck at landing “the big one.”
Address: Apache Pier, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
Rain0975/Flickr
Santee State Park is in the Sandhills of South Carolina on Lake Marion, a 110,000 acre paradise plopped right in the middle of the Palmetto State. If you can’t pull yourself away from the view, the park has two campgrounds or you can choose to rent one of several round cabins on a pier over the water. Hint: the popularity of the cabins makes the reservations fill up quickly, so get yours early in the year.
Address: 251 State Park Rd, Santee, SC 29142
Facebook/Harrys Fish Camp photo by Carol Gunter
For family outings to a weekend fishing trip with the guys, Harry’s is one of many fish camps on South Carolina’s lakes. But Harry’s is special because they’ve staked a claim to the title, “Oldest Fish Camp on the Santee Cooper Lakes.” Perched at the entrance to the Diversion Canal, Harry’s is in a prime location for launching your kayak, canoe, boat, or for fishing from one of their docks. Or, you could just hang out and enjoy the gorgeous water views.
Address: 320 Harrys Camp Rd, Pineville, SC 29468
Jim Crotty/Flickr
The photographer aptly named this image “Super moon over Harbour Town.” (Thank you Jim Crotty.) Golf enthusiasts who’ve been to the annual Heritage PGA Tournament in Hilton Head will recognize this setting as the gathering spot for cocktails after a fun day of watching pro golf.
Address: 149 Lighthouse Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Facebook/Chau Ram County Park
Oconee County’s best kept secret is now “out of the bag.” Chau Ram County Park is a delightful adventure that starts with a 40-foot waterfall right next to the parking area. Trails and other adventures abound throughout this great little gem in the upstate. Take a walk across the county’s longest suspension bridge - by the way, it’s wooden - as you cross the Chauga River to more great trails on the other side. Bring the family and a picnic and enjoy this waterside adventure and the views in Westminster, SC.
Address: 1220 Chau Ram Park Rd, Westminster, SC 29693
Becky/Flickr
Remley’s Point Boat Landing is a public boat launch in Mount Pleasant. Popular among the locals for the sheer convenience, this is mostly a parking area for vehicles and trailers. There is a small amount of green space at the landing, but there are no public facilities. Still, the vantage point makes Remleys a great place to catch a sunset with the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the City of Charleston on the horizon.
Address: 282 5th Ave, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Facebook/Pavilion Rooftop Bar
From high atop the Market Pavilion Hotel adjacent to Charleston’s City Market the view is awe-inspiring. Not only is there a full view of the Charleston Harbor, but the Pavilion Bar on the roof of this first-class hotel also has an infinity pool and lots of glam to feast the eyes upon.
Address: 225 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Facebook/South Cove County Park
Views of Lake Keowee in the Upstate are breathtaking. Here’s an aerial look at beautiful South Cove County Park on Lake Keowee in Seneca, SC.
Address: 1031 S Cove Rd, Seneca, SC 29672
Chris/Flickr
Phenomenal water views are available in the heart of downtown Greenville, SC. The waters of the Reedy River cascade over the rocks high above Falls Park, right in front of the Liberty Bridge (a spectacle in its own right.) The “upper falls” are perhaps the most photographed and therefore easily recognized. Here we show you the “lower falls” that are also located in Falls Park. They are just around the bend from the “upper falls.” Beautiful.
Address: 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601
Scott Oves/Flickr
Even if you’re an avid hiker, this one may be best enjoyed from your desktop or handheld device. Getting to Rainbow Falls involves a 2.2 mile hike that’s considered a difficult trek for most; for some it’s downright dangerous. But if you can make it out there then Rainbow Falls showcases a 100-foot free-fall of H20. Well worth the trip!
Address: 303 Jones Gap RD, Marietta, SC 29661
North Charleston/Flickr
Riverfront Park in North Charleston has become a favorite for locals and for visitors. With a spectacular vantage point overlooking the Cooper River it’s easy to see why.
Address: 1001 Everglades Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
OurUpstateSC.info
Cedar Falls is located in Southern Greenville County. The Reedy River that flows through downtown Greenville makes its way through Fountain Inn before exiting the county a little to the south. It may not be so obvious in this photo, but the river widens to 200 feet at the falls - prompting the falls’ nickname “Little Niagara.”
Address: 201 Cedar Falls Road, Fountain Inn, SC 29644
What did you think of our suggestions? Do you have a favorite “go-to” spot for awe-inspiring water views? Go ahead and add it to the article by commenting below.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
