8 Best Scenic Outdoor Places in Greenville, SC

Greenville may be best known for its slow-paced lifestyle and quiet southern charm, but did you know that this quaint South Carolina town also offers a myriad of outdoor delights? Whether you are an adventure seeker or a laidback explorer, Greenville has tons of scenic outdoor spots to explore and enjoy.

1. Paris Mountain

This park’s roots date back to the Great Depression when the Civilian Conservation Corps built it. Today, the park’s heritage is ever-present, offering visitors a historic spot for outdoor recreation. The park offers camping facilities and hiking trails, making it a great place for locals and visitors alike.

2. Palmetto Trail

Spanning several towns and over 500 miles of cross-state hiking trails, the Palmetto Trail is a scenic outdoor spot near Greenville that cannot be passed up. These hiking and bicycling paths cross mountain ridges, loop through swamps, and hug the shorelines of lakes and boundaries of dozens of towns. The trail is an excellent opportunity for visitors to exhibit local conservation and preservation efforts and connects multiple state and country parks, as well as numerous national forests, preserves, and wildlife management areas.

3. Chattooga River  

The Chattooga River begins in the Blue Ridge Mountains and flows south into Oconee County, comprising much of the landscape of South Carolina. This river is one of the last remaining undammed bodies of water in the south, and as a result, contains many wild and undeveloped portions. The river includes parts of whitewater rapids and is a favorite for kayakers and paddlers. It also offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in Greenville.

4. Table Rock State Park

Table Rock State Park is one of the most gorgeous outdoor spots in all of South Carolina. The beautiful mountain, the namesake of the park, is the backdrop to the 3,000-acre area. Visitors have access to an old-fashioned swimming hole, a campground, and multiple hiking trails. The park serves as an access point for the eighty-mile Foothills Trail, giving hikers the ability to traverse mountain streams and to encounter gorgeous waterfalls.

5. Lake Jocassee

A little over an hour from Greenville is historical Lake Jocassee. This lake is one of the best spots to hike, boat, swim, and fish. The humanmade lake was built in 1973 and is home to breathtaking waterfalls and the only temperate rainforest east of the Rockies. The undeveloped shoreline is one of the most gorgeous in the country, and the lake is a great spot to kayak, swim, camp, or hike.

6. Chau Ram Falls

The Chau Ram Falls is one of the area’s most beautiful waterfalls and can be seen without having to hike for hours. It takes only a few seconds to get to this waterfall from the parking area and is located not far from Greenville in the small town of Westminster, South Carolina.

7. Caesar’s Head State Park

This recreational park is known for its landscaped hiking trails and panoramic views. This park is home to several jaw-dropping waterfalls, including Raven Cliff Falls, which you can walk across through the use of a suspension bridge. This park is a great place to go mountain biking or climbing as well as hiking. Wildlife sightings are frequent here, with black bears, peregrine falcons, and the endangered green salamander some of the park’s most famous inhabitants.

8. Falls Park on the Reedy

This natural oasis is located right in Greenville’s downtown. As a well-maintained city park, this green urban space offers locals and visitors alike the opportunity to participate in a broad offering of outdoor activities. The park is home to multiple displays of public art and sculptures, along with walkways and the famed Swamp Rabbit trail. It’s a great place to enjoy a leisurely walk or picnic any day of the week.

 

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