Silver Bluff, Jackson, New Ellenton

Silver Bluff, Jackson, New Ellenton

Dreams of silver, Native American trading posts, the American Revolution, and the Cold War have all made a footprint on these precious lands. Birding, forestry, and drag racing are now making a statement here by popular demand. Enjoy the quiet nature of birding and hiking at the Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary, while the Carolina Dragway revs up for an exciting night of southern drag racing, legal style!

Carolina Dragway

302 Dragstrip Rd., Jackson, SC
803-471-2285 or 803-266-5831
www.carolinadragway.com/
Th: 7pm-10pm
Sat: 7pm-11pm.
under 12: free

Sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association, Carolina Dragway is one of two 1/4 mile drag strips in South Carolina. Built in 1957 & renovated 1986, it has a three story control tower, six staging lanes.

Overnight parking / no hookups. concessions, gift shop playground and bleachers (seating 6000) and Family Section (no alcohol allowed)

Jackson

Jackson is a small rural community of less than 2000 people. It is a quaint little town that is just outside the gates of the Savannah River Site and a safe haven from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Audubon's Silver Bluff Center and Sanctuary

Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m to 5 p.m
4542 Silver Bluff Rd, Jackson
803-471-0291 / 803-827-0781
No fee, donations accepted
sc.audubon.org/silver-bluff-audubon-center-and-sanctuary

3,154 acre National Audubon Society wildlife sanctuary

Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary is nature lovers dream and provides a respite from a fast paced lifestyle, providing peaceful, tranquil experiences. A wide variety of flora and wildlife will take your breath away and over 200 bird species have been sighted, including the endangered bald eagles and wood storks. Check them off your birding list when you get here!

The wildlife sanctuary is owned by the National Audubon Society and meanders along 2.5 miles of the Savannah River, encompassing 3000 acres of George Galphin’s original property. Archaeological digs within the sanctuary include a mid-1700’s Indian trading post and the Galphin home site.

Habitat and wildlife diversity make Silver Bluff a favorite destination for those interested in birds, wildflowers, photography, or simply a quiet walk. Education focuses on forest and land management and is targeted toward school groups and the general public.

Silver Bluff

When you want to slow down and get in touch with nature, relieve stress and forget the hustling world, just mosey on down the Aiken County back roads to a quiet reclusive area known as Silver Bluff. The name derives from early travelers upon witnessing a silver appearance in the sands of the bluff, caused by mica. Hernando Desoto, the Spanish explorer searched the area in the 1500’s for silver due to this unique phenomenon.

Directions to Silver Bluff


Savannah River Archaeological Research
Archaeological digs within the sanctuary are investigating the site of a mid-1700’s Indian trading post established by George Galphin.

Atomic Festival

Held every October in New Ellenton, The Atomic Festival features arts, crafts, carnival rides, and food from the area.

New Ellenton

New Ellenton has a unique and sentimental history. The town of Ellenton was physically moved by the US Government in the early 1950s to make way for the Savannah River Plant (now the Savannah River Site). The federal government bought 200,000 acres of land in Aiken and Barnwell Counties for $19 million and built facilities to generate nuclear components for nuclear bombs.

Directions to New Ellenton