Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway
SC 11 along the base of the Blue Ridge escarpment, past peach orchards, state parks and Lake Keowee, from Gaffney toward the Georgia line.
Also known as SC 11
Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation, America's Byways collection (National Archives), Public domain, source
- Length112 miles[1]South Carolina's tourism office gives 118 miles.
- Drive timeAbout three hours[1]FHWA's "time to allow"
- RoadsSC 11[2]
- Start and endGaffney to the Georgia line[2]
- Fees and passesNone[1]State parks along the road charge admission.
- Best seasonNot verified
- SurfaceNot verified
- Vehicle notesNot verified
- Seasonal closuresNot verified
Before you go
Road status and weather can change quickly. Check the official road-conditions link before you go.
Facts last checked against the sources on October 22, 2026.
About the drive
The Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway is SC 11, a two-lane road that follows an old Cherokee path along the foot of the Blue Ridge escarpment. FHWA notes the Cherokee called these mountains the Great Blue Hills of God.
The road arcs through peach orchards and small villages, past Cowpens National Battlefield, and over Lake Keowee. Caesars Head and Table Rock state parks are the mountain stops along the way.
Plan about three hours. In summer, roadside stands sell peaches from the orchards.
Stops along the way
-
Cowpens National Battlefield
Revolutionary War battlefield near the north end.
Official information · 35.13136, -81.80796 · about 0.4 mi from the route line
-
Caesars Head State Park
Mountain overlook park known for its fall hawk watch.
Official information · 35.10631, -82.64972 · about 3.4 mi from the route line
-
Table Rock State Park
Park below the granite dome of Table Rock.
Official information · 35.03647, -82.7139 · about 1.4 mi from the route line
-
Lake Keowee
Lake the highway crosses on its southwestern half.
Official information · 34.83065, -82.90138 · about 5.8 mi from the route line
Stops are listed in order along the route; the numbers match the map. Stop locations come from the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey place-names database, the stop's own official page or, where noted in the data, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors).
Food along the way
Farmers markets within about 25 miles
- Foothills Heritage MarketWestminster, SC · about 0.4 mi from the route
- Landrum Farmers' MarketLandrum, SC · about 3.8 mi from the route
- Lavonia Farmers MarketLavonia, GA · about 5.8 mi from the route
- Saluda Tailgate MarketSaluda, NC · about 7.8 mi from the route
- Travelers Rest Community Farmers MarketTravelers Rest, SC · about 8.0 mi from the route
Markets keep their own seasons and hours, so check with the market before you go. Find more in the Farmers Market Finder.
Bake it at home
Sources
- America's Byways: Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (FHWA) (checked 2026-10-22)
- National Scenic Byways Showcase South Carolina's Most Beautiful Vistas (Discover South Carolina, SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism) (checked 2026-10-22)
- The Ultimate Road Trip: State Parks Along SC Highway 11 (South Carolina State Parks) (checked 2026-10-22)
- Cowpens National Battlefield (NPS) (checked 2026-10-22)
- Route line: U.S. DOT scenic byways map service (geo.dot.gov), retrieved 2026-10-22.
Written by VanillaGoods from the cited official sources. This is a drive to know, not a ranking. Road status and weather can change quickly; check the official road-conditions link before you go.
Spot something out of date? Email help@vanillagoods.com (help@vanillagoods.com).