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OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS
Brushy Creek & Southern Miniature Children's Railroad
This 50 year old miniature passenger train, housed at the Pavilion Recreation Complex, takes passengers on a memorable half-mile ride around the soccer complex. The train is a great family outing! 400 Roper Mountain Rd. Greenville, South Carolina 29615
864.288.6470
Pleasant Ridge Park
Pleasant Ridge County Park features 300 acres of beautiful mountain wilderness complete with a 5 acre fishing/swimming lake, nature trail, and playground. 4232 Hwy 11, Marietta, SC 29661 (864) 836-6589
Camp Spearhead
This unique residential camp, in existence since 1968, serves individuals 8 years and older with special needs. Weekly activities at Spearhead include a petting zoo, Ropes course, miniature golf, horseback riding, hiking, hay rides, boating and drama.
100 Civitan Camp Rd., Cleveland, SC 29635 (864) 836-2336
Shoeless Joe Jackson Memorial Park
This unique historical park pays homage to former Chicago White Sox great Shoeless Joe Jackson who grew up and played ball in the Brandon Mill Community. 864.288.6470.
Hatcher Gardens
This beautiful garden contains more that 10,000 plants, as well as dams, ponds, and trails. It also serves as a haven for local birds and wildlife. Located on Reidville Road in Spartanburg. 864-574-7724
Great Smokey Mountains Railroad
With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, guests on board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will enjoy year-round scenic train journeys across fertile valleys, through tunnels and across river gorges in the Great Smoky Mountains. Tuckasegee River Excursion (3-hour round trip), Nantahala Gorge Excursion (4 hour round trip) and the Gourmet Dinner Train (2 hours) are just a few of the wonderful excursion trips available to passengers. 1.800.872.4681 or (828) 586-8811
Lake Lure Tours
Step on board these luxurious boats and visit the blockbuster hit Dirty Dancing film site, delight in mountain legends and breathtaking views. Suitable for all ages. Hourly tours, twilight and dinner cruises. Private and group charters. U.S. Hwy. 64/74A in scenic Hickory Nut Gorge, 35 miles north of Greenville. Lake Lure is ranked by National Geographic Magazine as one of the top scenic lakes in the world.
Chimney Rock Park
Find the best of the mountains in one place. This privately-owned scenic attraction just north of Greenville offers spectacular 75-mile views, a 404-foot waterfall, hiking trails and more. Take a day trip to the cool, green mountains. You deserve a break today!
Pearson's Falls
Located between Tryon and Saluda is Pearson's Falls. The Tryon Garden Club has own this 250-acre site for nearly 70 years. Hours are 10am -6pm Wednesday-Sunday. Admission is $2 for adults. (828) 749-3031.
Cowpens National Battlefield
In 1781 Daniel Morgan of Virginia led his militia troops to victory against the elite British troops led by Colonel Banastre Tarleton. The battlefield features a walking trail and marked road tour, a picnic ground, and a visitor's center with exhibits, memorabilia, and a slide show presentation. Located off of S.C Scenic Highway 11 and S.C 110 in Cherokee County. 864.461.2828.
State Parks in the Upstate
Caesars Head State Park
Croft State Park
Devils Fork State Park
Jones Gap State Park
Keowee Toxaway State Park
Kings Mountain State Park
Lake Hartwell State Park
Oconee State Park
Oconee Station State Park
Paris Mountain State Park
Table Rock State Park
Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River
Born high in the Carolina mountains and dropping an average of 49.3 feet per mile in its race past the stately woods of Sumter National Forest, for 40 miles this tumultuous (and sometimes disarmingly placid) mountain river separates South Carolina and Georgia. The Chattooga became a sort of national quest after its starring role in the movie "Deliverance." (For guided raft tours, contact Wildwater Ltd., Box 309, Long Creek, SC 29658, (800) 451-9972 or (864) 647-9587
Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (S.C. 11)
Often right at the foot of high mountains, this beautiful but still utilitarian two-lane road leaves I-85 at Gaffney, makes a 130-mile arc through peach orchards and villages, past Cowpens Battlefield, over I-26, past several state and county parks, over Lake Keowee at a scenic spot and on past Salem, Walhalla, Seneca and Westminster to rejoin I-85 at the Georgia line.
South Carolina Trails
Our goal is to foster a statewide network of trails and greenways by promoting trail use, management, and development.
Foothills Trail
The main stem of this nearly 100-mile long hiking trail extends from Table Rock State Park in Pickens County to Oconee State Park in Oconee County. The trail crosses some of the most rugged and beautiful terrain in the Southeast and provides access to Sassafras Mountain, the highest peak in South Carolina, and to major mountain streams and breathtaking views. Contact the Foothills Trails Conference, PO Box 3041, Greenville SC 29602; (864) 233-9403.
Heritage Preserves
Hiking is permitted in the following Upcountry Heritage Preserves: Eastatoe Creek, Buzzard Roost, Ashmore, Watson, Glassy Mountain, Laurel Fork, Bunched Arrowhead, Pacolet River and parts of Chandler. Contact the S.C. Dept. of Natural Resources, PO Box 167, Columbia SC 29202; (803) 734-3893; (864) 654-6738.
Walnut Grove
Kate Moore Barry's 1765 plantation house had been lived in only a few years when the Revolution rocked the colonies. She then served as a scout for General Daniel Morgan at the Battle of Cowpens. Walnut Grove was a community in itself, with a school, doctor's office and various outbuildings. Fully restored and furnished.
Mountain Bridge Wilderness & Rec. Area
More than 11,000 acres and 50 miles of trails connect to the Sumter National Forest with one trail leading to the Foothills Trail. This network of trails provides an excellent view of scenic vistas, including Raven Cliff Falls. Primitive trailside camping is permitted by registering with a ranger. Call Caesars Head State Park at (864) 836-6115 or Jones Gap State Park at (864) 836-3647.
State Parks
The majority of state park trails are considered nature/walking trails because of short length and/or relatively flat terrain. The 14-mile Table Rock trail is difficult terrain and the 15-mile Kings Mountain trail is moderate. Other trails are located at Caesars Head, Jones Gap, Paris Mountain, Oconee and Keowee-Toxaway State Parks. Shorter nature trails located at Croft, Sadlers Creek and Lake Hartwell State Parks. Call the park or S.C. State Parks at (803) 734-0156.
Appalachian Trail
This national scenic trail begins in Georgia and stretches across 2,144 miles of Appalachian Mountain ridge lines to end in Maine. Along the way, it traverses the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and parts of Western North Carolina. For more information on the trail, and day hike suggestions, contact the Appalachian Trail Conference. > 828.254.3708 |
