God's Acre Healing Springs — Attraction in South Carolina

The brown standard highway recreational sign featuring the words, 'Healing Springs' turned my head and inspired me to turn the car around to visit. I imagined a body of water to swim / submerge in with the allure of a mystical tonic that would refresh, invigorate, and possibly inspire my soul.

When I arrived the first thing I noticed was that parking was limited and small, a few cars lined the cul de sac, and there were a couple produce vendors (food to purchase 😉) and steady streams of people with jugs of all shapes, sizes and colors. Admittedly I didn't notice all the water seekers initially - it was once I got past the roadside stands in search of the bountious glorious 'Healing Spring' that I spotted these dripping, moss-algae covered old metal faucets from which each jug toter, child to aged adult, rushed to fill their vessels as if this precious water was the vital ingredient to counter nuclear fallout.

A few steps beyond these spigots a tiny stream of water wove its way through a wooded area where a wooden cross adorned with artificial flowers and complete with Bible verse noted similar to a death marker was affixed to one of the trees. Additionally, a giant miniature billboard sign featured the history of the place where it explained that even soldiers were led by indigenous people to these healing waters to restore their health.

Upon finishing reading this sign, I glanced from the sign back to the old faucets taking in the woods before me and back again to the water seekers who appeared more like busy ants going about their business to secure the precious water. My impression of the water fetching was more greed driven rather than reverent, solenn regard. Their actions seemed more akin to the mad rush I've seen prior to the swift approach of a category 5+ magnitude hurricane where grocery store shelves are emptied of their stock of water stores prior to the impending disaster. Definitely not what I expected to see and somewhat appalling.

Further my mind marveled about the safety of this water, The truthfulness of the claim given that we are now centuries past that era mentioned on the informational signage and God knows what pollution contaminants could be flowing through that water (think = run off from pesticides used on the massive nearby farms possibly?). Not to mention the pipes themselves. Were they lead pipes or of some other material that may rust and imbue this much sought after drinking water with harmful health impacting microscopic particles?

Truth, curiosity got the better of me and I just had to see for myself after all I was here; had made the trek to see it, might as well partake. Taking a handful of the dripping water, I first smelled it and then tasted it. It tasted sort of sweet, cool, and pretty much refreshing (basically okay) yet I wasn't going to tempt fate and continue to drink it because I had my suspicions about it. Just figured a small handful or two wouldn't exactly make me ill. Let's...

Fresh clean water. Fun day trip. Make sure you bring enough containers for keeping water although sometimes people leave plastic containers out there or jugs for visitors to collect the spring water in. This place is about 2 hours from Charleston South Carolina and about 30 minutes off the major Interstate Highway 95 out in the woods. I think the closest town is called Blackville and they have a Subway there and a few gas stations. Not many fast food places at all to eat as I recall. But when you get there it is a new paved parking lot with about 50 Orso parking spots to park and from the parking lot you can see the actual spring. And the spring is being pumped up out of the ground out a metal pipe. As I recall I think there was only one metal pipe that spews the spring water. And it's kind of nice and cool out there if it's in the Dead Heat Of Summer cuz it is kind of a swampy area that the Healing Springs is located next to and the kids and everybody can actually Splash around in the water. Sometimes maybe busier than others. I recommend going during the summer months because you can cool off in the water and drink as much as you want. And from my observation I seen several people just come in and going feeling up some jugs and containers and then leaving. It is definitely worth the day trip to get out of the city life and had a lunch and picnic out there. There is a plaque or a memorial that briefly States what happened and why the spring is out there. You can Google it and it will tell you everything there is to know about it. I think everybody should go at least once in their lifetime and check it out...

I had an absolutely awe-inspiring and spiritually uplifting experience during my visit to the Healing Springs in Blackville, South Carolina. I arrived burdened—physically and emotionally. A severe migraine and chronic leg pain had been weighing me down, but something extraordinary happened the moment I stepped onto that sacred ground.

The atmosphere was unlike anything I’ve ever felt—peaceful, pure, and deeply calming. There were no bugs buzzing around, just butterflies and dragonflies dancing through the air like gentle messengers of grace. People from all over the world gathered there, each with empty bottles in hand, drawn by faith and hope to collect the healing waters.

As I drank and washed with the spring water, I felt a shift—subtle at first, then undeniable. My migraine eased, the pain in my legs lightened, and I left feeling renewed in body and spirit. It wasn’t just the water—it was the presence of God.

There’s a script posted at the springs that captures the essence of the experience perfectly: “When you hear the Lord knocking, don’t harden your heart—allow Him to enter.” That message resonated deeply with me. I truly believe I encountered more than just nature that day—I encountered healing, peace, and the gentle knock of the Lord on my heart.

If you ever find yourself in need of restoration—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—Healing Springs is a place worth visiting. Come with an open heart. You just might leave...