Explore the Upstate
Upstate Parks
From rugged mountain ridges and cascading waterfalls to serene lakes and forested valleys, the Upstate of South Carolina is packed with parks that call you outdoors.
- Caesars Head State Park — Part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness, known for overlooks and connecting trails.
- Jones Gap State Park — Adjacent to Caesars Head, with deep forest trails, streams, and wilderness feel.
- Paris Mountain State Park (near Greenville) — Very accessible from town; has hiking, biking, camping, and scenic ridges.
- Table Rock State Park — Iconic mountain, overlooks, forests, excellent for hiking and camping.
- Devils Fork State Park / Lake Jocassee — Mountain lake, paddling, trails, remote-feeling wilderness access.
- Oconee State Park — In the Blue Ridge foothills; offers hiking trails, cabins, and water features.
- Croft State Park— Large park with trails, lakes, camping close to Spartanburg.
Upstate Biking
From scenic rail trails to mountain climbs, Upstate South Carolina is a cyclist’s dream.
Ride through tree-lined paths along the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville, tackle rolling hills in Spartanburg, or enjoy the peaceful country roads around Anderson. Whether you’re cruising for leisure or training for distance, the Upstate offers miles of beauty, fresh air, and plenty of places to stop and refuel.
Don’t forget your helmet—and your sense of adventure!
Some Local Websites
Greenville Zoo
Greenville Zoo — A compact but charming urban zoo in the heart of Greenville. With just 14 acres, it’s easy to explore in a few hours.
The zoo is AZA-accredited and home to giraffes, orangutans, red pandas, leopards, reptiles, and more.
Located inside Cleveland Park, it sits adjacent to walking paths, playgrounds, and the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Annual events, interactive exhibits, and the Giraffe Cam make it a must-see.
Make a fun day out of it and spend time with the Children at the Zoo!
Upstate Hiking
- South Carolina State Parks – Hiking Trails — Official listings, trail descriptions, difficulty levels, and maps. A comprehensive statewide trail directory where you can search by region, activity, or difficulty.
- AllTrails – Upstate SC — User-submitted routes, reviews, photos, maps, and real-time trail conditions.
- Foothills Trail Conservancy — Info on the Foothills Trail (longer multi-day route), maps, volunteering, and guided hikes.
- Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area — Trails in the Caesars Head / Jones Gap region, links between parks, scenic routes.
- “9 Must Do Hikes in the Upstate of South Carolina” (Cate’s Compass) — Local guide with trail highlights like Yellow Branch Falls, Rainbow Falls, etc.
Tips & Visitor Info
- Trails in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area connect Caesars Head and Jones Gap parks, offering some of the region’s most scenic hikes.
- Table Rock State Park is a popular choice for both its challenging summit trail and connection to the Foothills Trail.
- On local blogs, hikers note that Jones Gap State Park has limited parking and can fill up on weekends, so arriving early is smart.
- For waterfalls and forest hikes, trails like Yellow Branch Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Raven Cliff Falls are often recommended in Upstate guides.
- The Palmetto Trail is a statewide footpath that spans multiple segments; several portions run through or near Upstate SC.