Auto MechanicNear Kiawah Island, SC

South Carolina is a blend of coastal havens, tranquil mountains, and charming small towns, making it an ideal destination for wellness retreats. From luxurious spa resorts in Charleston to secluded cabins in the Blue Ridge foothills, there is something for everyone seeking to recharge. Discover ten retreats, each offering relaxation and rejuvenation. Whether you are meditating by a salt marsh, soaking in mineral-rich hot springs, or savoring the rustic charm of a forest cabin, South Carolina’s wellness options promise a perfect escape.

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Located just 25 miles from Charleston, Kiawah Island is synonymous with coastal luxury, and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort takes wellness to the next level. This award-winning resort has spa treatments incorporating local ingredients like sea salt scrubs and marine algae wraps. After a day of indulgence, stroll along the resort’s ten-mile beach, perfect for morning yoga or sunset meditations.

Accommodations include spacious oceanfront rooms with private balconies and uninterrupted views of the Atlantic. Guests can also access the resort’s five golf courses and biking trails. For a truly immersive experience, take a paddleboard tour through the nearby Kiawah River salt marshes, where you might spot dolphins or herons.

The Majestic Treehouse

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Bolt Farm Treehouse in Walhalla is a place where guests stay in treehouse cabins perched among the treetops, complete with luxurious interiors, including plush bedding and kitchenettes.

Located near the Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel Park, you can enjoy a morning hike to Issaqueena Falls or take advantage of the calming forest atmosphere to practice mindfulness exercises. Bolt Farm Treehouse also has guided meditation sessions, sound baths, and yoga classes to help visitors reconnect with themselves. This retreat is an excellent choice for those seeking solitude without sacrificing comfort or luxury.

Pawleys Island

Known for its laid-back vibe and quiet beaches, Pawleys Island is an ideal location for a beach-centric wellness getaway. While in Pawleys Island, consider staying at the Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort. Its spacious villas and suites are close to both the beach and marshland, creating an environment for relaxation. Explore the island’s natural beauty with a paddleboarding session on the Waccamaw River or a visit to Brookgreen Gardens, where the sculpture gardens and oak-shaded walkways provide a meditative atmosphere for reconnecting with nature.

Healing Springs

For a truly unique wellness experience, visit Healing Springs in Blackville, one of South Carolina's only known natural mineral springs. Revered for its purported healing properties since the 18th century, these hot springs give visitors a chance to soak in their mineral-rich waters for natural rejuvenation.

While accommodations near the springs are limited, the nearby Barnwell State Park is home to five cozy cabins and 25 campsites for a rustic retreat. During your stay, enjoy leisurely walks around the park’s lakes or spend an afternoon fishing. Healing Springs is a must-visit for any and all interested in holistic and nature-based healing practices.

The Cliffs at Glassy

Tucked into the mountains near Landrum, The Cliffs at Glassy combines scenery with premium wellness services. The wellness center includes personalized fitness coaching, yoga classes, and a range of spa treatments. The highlight here is the mountaintop chapel and surrounding trails, which provide panoramic views and a peaceful setting for reflection.

Guests can stay in nearby accommodations like Hotel Domestique, a boutique property inspired by European country inns. Its elegant design and proximity to nature make it a perfect companion to your wellness itinerary. Don’t miss the chance to hike on the Glassy Mountain trails or enjoy a farm-to-table meal at a local eatery like Southside Smokehouse.

Hunting Island State Park

For those who find solace in nature, Hunting Island State Park near Beaufort is a perfect coastal camping retreat. With five miles of beaches, a historic lighthouse, and maritime forests, the park is an unparalleled setting for relaxation and exploration.

Camping here means falling asleep to the sounds of waves and waking up to sunrises. The park has a beachfront and shaded campsites equipped with water and electricity. During your stay, take a meditative walk along the Marsh Boardwalk or join a ranger-led turtle talk to learn about the park’s conservation efforts. Hunting Island is ideal for anyone seeking a peaceful outdoor retreat that immerses you in South Carolina’s natural beauty.

Hilton Head Health

Hilton Head Health (H3) is a premier wellness destination on Hilton Head Island—a transformative experience for those seeking physical and mental rejuvenation. This retreat specializes in weight loss, stress reduction, and overall well-being through a blend of fitness programs, spa services, and nutritional education.

Accommodations at H3 include stylish, resort-style villas with access to walking paths and nearby beaches. Between fitness classes and workshops, guests can unwind with a massage at the Indigo Spa or join a paddleboarding session in the calm waters of Broad Creek. With its expert-led programs and beautiful surroundings, Hilton Head Health is perfect for travelers focused on long-term wellness goals.

Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park, one of the newest national parks, provides an escape into South Carolina’s largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest. The park’s network of trails and boardwalks invites visitors to immerse themselves in the surroundings, where towering trees and a symphony of bird calls create a meditative atmosphere.

While there are no lodges within the park, nearby accommodations like the Hilton Columbia Center, with its resort-style pool, make for a comfortable base for your adventure. Alternatively, for those seeking full immersion, Congaree has primitive camping options. Don’t miss the guided canoe tours. The journey through the park’s waterways lets you connect with nature at its most untouched.

Swamp Rabbit Trail

For a wellness retreat with an urban twist, Greenville’s Swamp Rabbit Inn provides easy access to the city’s renowned Swamp Rabbit Trail. This 22-mile multi-use greenway runs from downtown Greenville to Travelers Rest, an ideal setting for cycling, jogging, or leisurely strolls through scenic landscapes.

The inn itself is a cozy boutique property featuring stylish accommodations and a welcoming communal vibe. Guests can enjoy nearby wellness activities, such as yoga classes at Greenville Yoga or spa treatments at The Woodhouse Day Spa. After a day on the trail, unwind with a healthy meal at Farm Fresh Fast, a local eatery specializing in farm-to-table dishes.

Devil’s Fork State Park

Located on the shores of Lake Jocassee, Devil’s Fork State Park is a lakeside escape ideal for camping and wellness. With crystal-clear waters surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the place is great for enjoying kayaking, swimming, or simply basking in the natural beauty.

The park offers cozy lakeside villas and campsites, catering to various comfort levels. Spend your day paddling to hidden waterfalls or snorkeling in the lake’s waters. For a calming evening, watch the sunset over the mountains from the park’s picnic area. Devil’s Fork is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts looking to recharge in a tranquil, water-focused setting.

Secluded Towns in South CarolinaWhen it comes to vacationing in South Carolina, big-city trips, like Charleston and Columbia, can be fun to explore, but its charming small towns often get overlooked.

South Carolina’s wellness retreats stand out not just for their variety but also for their ability to seamlessly blend relaxation with adventure. Whether you are enjoying a mineral soak at Healing Springs or hiking the trails of Glassy Mountain, each experience is a reminder that true wellness comes from connecting with both yourself and the world around you. With so many rejuvenating options, South Carolina is a destination that inspires visitors to rest, recharge, and leave feeling refreshed.

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Katelyn Wiersma January 19 2025 in Places

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Coastal South Carolina has been a staple in Abby Nurre’s life since the day she was born. In fact, she is a self proclaimed “loyal tourist” to Kiawah and has gone multiple times per year with her family since the 1980s.

“The island holds some of my most cherished childhood memories of jumping in waves and searching for sand dollars, and we collect more moments with the next generation as we continue to vacation there each year,” Nurre, 36, tells Southern Living.

Known for resort golf courses, Nurre and her five siblings know the island differently.

“My family members have never reserved a tee time. We know the island for its miles of lush bike paths, marsh views, and pristine beach,” she says.

PHOTO:

Courtesy of Abby Nurre

PHOTO:

Courtesy of Abby Nurre

The Inspiration For Her Book

Nurre calls Kiawah her family’s “place of gathering and exploring” where big and little moments come together in harmony and she has watched the island play a pivotal role in her own life, serving as the backdrop for everything from learning to ride a bike to getting engaged to her husband.

“Now, it's also the place that I share with my son and our dog. It's our constant – the waves crash exactly like they did in 1987, the sun rises above the east end and sets in the west where dolphins strand feed, the sand is always powdery soft, and the tide rises and falls on a 12-hour cycle. While our lives change, the beach stays the same,” she says. “It's a comforting, beautiful place.”

It makes sense, then, that as Nurre’s career as a watercolor artist has taken off, so has her desire to pay tribute to the place she loves so dearly. In 2018, inspired by Kiawah’s storied wild and pristine environment, Nurre began dreaming of what the book could be.

PHOTO:

Abby Nurre

PHOTO:

Abby Nurre:

“While there has been a lot of development in recent years, I still remember it as it was before, and those memories inspire me. Visitors used to be welcomed by weathered and worn wooden signs, and the island was at least a half hour trip from the closest grocery store,” Nurre says, adding that over tourism and modernization efforts have changed the island’s vibe over the years. “Even though time has brought modern changes, Kiawah still has its charm, and, thanks to very hardworking individuals … it's still a pristine haven.”

"The Ultimate Passion Project"

Dubbing it “the ultimate passion project,” Nurre finally debuted Journey To The End Of The Island – a poetic adventure that explores the natural wonders found along the beach in Kiawah Island, South Carolina – in November 2024.

“While it was written for children, I think that people of all ages can learn something from its pages,” says Nurre of the hardcover book, which features a Wildlife Sighting Checklist, inviting readers to find wildlife treasures and record the date on which they were found. “I hope this inspires both kids and adults to go out and embark on their own adventure. This isn’t just my story. It's a shared experience … one that I hope many other Kiawah-loving families can relate to as well.”

Nurre worked alongside a team of people – including experts and biologists - to ensure the accuracy of not just her paintings, but the creative writing and scientific facts that accompany them.

Supporting Kiawah Conservancy

But Nurre’s book isn’t just a gift to those who have fallen in love with the barrier island – $3 from every book sale goes to Kiawah Conservancy, a non-profit that works to “measure, manage, improve, and advocate for the ecological health of Kiawah Island.”

“I dreamed that the Kiawah Conservancy could in some way be part of both my studies and the book,” says Nurre, who also hosts watercolor workshops with the non-profit. “After all, I was creating the book to inspire others to care for Kiawah's ecosystem, and the Conservancy exists for the exact same reason.”

“I was motivated by my memories of the island as it was when I was a kid. I hope this book highlights the natural treasures hidden on this island, encourages people to explore and remain curious when visiting, and inspires them to get out on beach bikes and witness the beauty,” Nurre says. “We all need to work to protect such precious places in the world.”

Journey To The End Of The Island retails for $29 and is available at AbbyNurreWater.com