If you’re looking for some peace and quiet in the woods, head to Plantersville in Georgetown County. It’s at the fork of the Black and Pee Dee rivers and is one of South Carolina’s most important historical, cultural, and naturally diverse areas.

The community reflects a rich Gullah tradition and a strong affinity for the land. The region was well known for its rice production in the 1700s and 1800s. That production was achieved through the exploitation of enslaved people from West Africa and their descendants. At one point almost half of the country’s rice came from the area.

The Plantersville area today includes a historic district of plantation homes and properties, four primarily African American villages (Annie Village, Jackson Village, St. Paul’s, and Plantersville), and an ecosystem of rivers, marshes, creeks, and forest. Stop by the Plantersville Cultural Center at 7 Plantersville Road—at the beginning of the 12-mile Plantersville Scenic Byway—to learn more about the history and significance of the area.

Today, the area is a corridor of nature preserves including the Samworth Wildlife Management Area, Sandy Island, the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, and an additional 8,000 acres held under conservation easements, which protects the properties from development. It is also home to the annual Tour de Plantersville cultural festival and bike ride, offering 12-, 25-, or 62-mile rides as well as food, performances, and vendors in celebration of Georgetown County and to benefit The Village Group’s after school programs.