Outdoor Attractions

Hiking Trails

Carrick Creek Loop Trail, Table Rock State Park, Pickens

This trail is a moderately strenuous 1.8 mile trail loop.  On this trail Carrick Creek winds its way in and out of your path.  You will see old growth forests, trilliums in the spring, and other various wild flowers throughout the seasons.  This trail will take approximately 1 hour to complete.  The first part of the trail is paved with asphalt.  On this section of the trail there are a couple of waterfalls.  Continuing on the trail you will come to a wooden bridge.  After crossing the bridge you will find a well-marked trail for Carrick Creek and Table Rock Mountain.  The Carrick Creek Trail is marked with green markers throughout the trail.  (864) 878-9817.

Pinnacle Mountain Trail, Table Rock State Park, Pickens

This trail is a fairly strenuous 3.3 miles (one way) trail.  Before starting, you should register at the Nature Center, and remember to take along plenty of water for the hike.  The Pinnacle Mountain Trail begins at the Nature Center.  You will take the Carrick Creek Trail to the left when you get to the sign for Carrick Creek and Table Rock trails.  You will follow this trail along Carrick Creek.  When you see the sign for Pinnacle Mountain, go to the left.   From this point you will follow the yellow markers.  You will find this to be an adventurous trail with downed trees and rocky passes that you will have to climb.  Along this trail you will be able to see Mills Creek Falls and Mills Creek Pass Trail (look for signs) on your right.  If you continue uphill, you encounter Bald Rock.  From this point, you will be able to look out over the mountains to see Greenville in the distance on a clear day.  The Pinnacle Trail continues uphill toward the left on a less trodden trail.  The Foothills Trail will branch off to the left just before you reach the orange blazed stack of rocks.  You can return the same way you came or take the less strenuous Ridge Trail to the Table Rock Trail.  This will lead you back to the Nature Center.  (864) 878-9813.

Table Rock Trail is a very strenuous 3.4 mile (one way) trail.  This trail ascends 2,000 feet to the summit of the most recognizable mountain in the Upstate.  Table Rock Mountain is 3,157 feet high and composed mainly of granite.  To get to the trail you will start at the Nature Center inside the State Park.  Follow the trail to the sign for Carrick Creek Trails and Table Rock Trail.  Take the trail to the right.  Follow this until you see a sign for Table Rock Trail.  You will then branch off to the right again and follow the red marks.  There are a couple of lookout areas where you can rest and have lunch or just take in the view.

Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve Trail, Pickens

This is a moderate 1.7 mile (one way) path that takes you to the Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve.  You will also see many wildflowers and some ferns found only in this area of North America.  Following the yellow blazes on the trail can be difficult at times, but the end of the trail is well marked with a triple blaze.  The trail is fairly easy for most of the way, but drops steeply to the gorge for the last .5 mile.  There are switchbacks and stairs to help make the hike a little easier.  Following a rain, this section can become very slippery.  You will return the same way you came.  To get to the trail from Pickens, take Hwy 178 North past Hwy 11 until you get to a bridge that crosses over the Eastatoe Creek (approximately 1 mile past the Rocky Bottom Community).Cross over the bridge and turn left at the Laurel Valley Lodge sign.  Bear to the right onto the unpaved fork (the sign reads Horsepasture Road, but is frequently knocked down).  Continue to the Foothills parking area on the left.  Follow the yellow blazes for about .1 mile and turn left onto an old logging road marked by a cable gate.  Hours are from dawn to dusk.  There are no facilities in the preserve.  There is camping available at the end of the Eastatoe Creek Trail and along the Foothills trail.

Natural Bridge Trail, Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area, Sunset

This is a moderately strenuous 1.5 mile loop trail.  The trail is marked with tags on the trees.  On this trail you will see lots of wildflowers, mountain laurel, some wildlife and the natural bridge over Poe Creek.  This trail offers you a chance to get in touch with the forest.  The trail is fairly steep in a few sections and will be very slippery in the fall and after a rain.  (864) 868-2605.

Raven Rock Trail, Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area, Sunset

This is a moderately strenuous 4.2 mile loop.  You will begin on the Natural Bridge Trail and continue until you reach Poe Creek.  When you cross the natural bridge at Poe Creek you will turn right onto the Raven Rock Trail.  You will climb up and down McKinney Mountain to a rocky area near the top where you will get a breathtaking view of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west.  Continuing on the trail you will come to another overlook that lets you see Lake Keowee.  You will begin a steep ascent up to ridges with great views of the lake.  You will then descend again to Poe Creek where you will meet up with the Natural Bridge Trail again for your return.   (864) 868-2605.

Foothills Trail, Table Rock State Park, Pickens

This is an 80 mile footpath extending from Table Rock State Park at its eastern terminus to Oconee State Park in the west.  Its route takes the hiker through the heart of the Jocassee Gorges tract, to mountain crests with scenic views, to shady gorges and coves with special botanical features.  Along its route the Foothills Trail crosses or follows most of the major streams and rivers of the Jocassee Gorges and adjacent conservation lands including Eastatoe Creek, Laurel Fork Creek, Toxaway River, Horsepasture River, Bearcamp Creek Thompson River, Whitewater River, East Fork Creek, and Chattooga River, among others.  The Foothills Trail Conference coordinates activities associated with the Foothills Trail.  For information about the trail, purchasing a guidebook, and/or membership in the Conference, write to The Foothills Trails Conference, PO Box 3041, Greenville, SC 29602, or call the Conference office at (864) 467-9537.

Indian Creek Trail, Issaqueena Lake, Clemson

This trail is .9 mile long, and has a double creek crossing.  There is plenty of uphill climbing involved.  It is located at Issaqueena Lake in Clemson, SC.  The recreation area is on SC Hwy 133, north of Clemson.

Mill Creek Pass Trail, Table Rock State Park, Pickens

The Mill Creek Pass Trail connects the Pinnacle Mountain and Ridge trails.  If you ascend the rugged Pinnacle Mountain Trail to the sign just above Mill Creek Falls, you can turn right and follow the Mill Creek Pass Trail to the Ridge Trail.  You will intersect with the Ridge Trail midway between the Pinnacle Mountain and the Table Rock Trails.  You can turn left and climb to Pinnacle Mountain, or turn right toward the Table Rock Trail, where you can either turn left to climb Table Rock Mountain, or turn right and return to the Nature Center.  Remember to wear sturdy footwear and functional clothing, carry adequate water and first aid supplies, and use insect repellent in warm weather.  Pets are permitted on leashes.  Restrooms and water are available in the wood building above the Nature Center parking area.  Length is 0.7 mile (864) 878-9813

Ridge Trail, Table Rock State Park, Pickens

This is a rugged, strenuous trail.  It is a connector between the Pinnacle Mountain and Table Rock Trails.  If you ascend Pinnacle Mountain Trail to the orange-blazed stones at the apex, the Ridge Trail provides an alternate descent.  Look for a leaf-covered, winding, dirt path and you will begin the quiet, less trodden Ridge Trail.  As you walk along steep slopes through a mixed wood habitat, watch for bear, snakes, birds, and a variety of other wildlife.  You will pass Mill Creek Pass Trail (another connector back to the Pinnacle Mountain Trail) about midway to the Table Rock Trail.  At the Table Rock Trail you can follow the signs up the mountain, or turn right and descend to the Nature Center.  Remember to wear sturdy footwear and functional clothing.  Carry adequate water and first aid supplies, and insect repellent is recommended in warm weather.  Pets are permitted on leashes.  Restrooms and water are available in the wood building above the Nature Center parking area.  This trail is 3.3 miles one way from the Nature Center.  (864) 878-9813.

South Carolina Botanical Garden, Clemson

Hiking, walking/jogging and nature trails are in the garden totaling 3.4 miles; on 295 acres, some paved, some gravel, some earth; generally level, but some hills.  Woodland Wildflower Garden/Belser Nature Trail features many species of native woodland wildflowers, bog plants and ferns growing in a natural setting.  There is also the Heusel Nature Trail.  First Friday Nature Walks are provided.  Dr. David Bradshaw, the Garden’s naturalist, leads a fun and informative walk in the Garden every first Friday of the month.  Wear comfortable shoes and appropriate dress.  Walks last between one and two hours and are free.  Meet at the Red Caboose.  April-October 7AM.  November-March 9AM.  The SC Botanical Garden is located in Clemson, SC.  (864) 656-3405.  Visit us at www.clemson.edu/scbg.

Treaty Oak Trail, Issaqueena Lake, Clemson

Treaty Oak Trail is .4 of a mile long, and is located at Issaqueena Lake in Clemson, SC.

Sassafras Mountain, Pickens

The summit is open to the public without restriction, (other than having to walk 100 yards up a paved trail.)  Four states can be viewed from here:  Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.  It straddles the North Carolina border.  While the peak is a drive up, if you choose to walk, you could find yourself on one of the most rugged trails in the Eastern United States.  Contact Table Rock State Park for further information.  (864) 878-9813.

Town Creek Trail, Pickens

Located adjacent to the Pickens Playground of Promise on Homestead Road, Town Creek Trail offers beautiful vistas along Town Creek and a nice leisurely stroll through the woods within the City of Pickens.  An easy 2.5 mile walk, the trail showcases native plant and animal life as well as picturesque shoals in the creek.  From downtown Pickens, take Hwy 178 North about half a mile from Main Street (Hwy 183.)  Turn left on Homestead Road, then after a quarter of a mile, turn left into the parking lot of Jaycee Park (Playground of Promise).  Park next to the tennis courts and walk around the tennis courts to find the beginning of the trail.  For more information call Pickens City Hall (864) 878-6421.

Cherokee Interpretive Trail, Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area, Sunset

This is an easy quarter-mile loop trail located in Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area.  The history of the Upper Cherokee Indians, who once lived in this area, is re-created in the part Museum and four outdoor kiosks.  (864) 868-2405.