Outdoorsy Adventures – North Greenville County & Pickens County
DAY 1
Depart from the city life and head north, where an outdoorsy adventure awaits!
20 minutes north of downtown Greenville, you will find the picturesque downtown of Travelers Rest. Stop into Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse or Upcountry Provisions Bakery & Bistro for breakfast and coffee before continuing an additional 20 minutes north to arrive at Wildcat Branch Falls.
Wildcat Branch Falls, also known as Wildcat Wayside, is located directly off of Scenic Highway 11 – no hiking required! Your little ones can splash around in the crystal clear water at the base of the falls, while your bolder adventurers (with longer legs) can ascend the falls to find two additional waterfalls. Be sure to buy some boiled peanuts and pork rinds from a local vendor while you’re there! Visitors typically spend 1–2 hours at Wildcat Branch Falls.
For your next stop, head about 15 minutes north to Caesar’s Head State Park and take in the breathtaking views of the mountains. Be sure to stop at Bald Rock Heritage Preserve on the way up! Visiting the overlook, visitors center, and completing an easy walk will take approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour.
The last leg of this day will end in beautiful Pickens County. Table Rock State Park is only a 20-minute drive from Caesars Head. The views are just as stunning, plus other amenities such as a playground and a beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking, and pedal boating. You can camp right here at Table Rock State Park, or book a room or suite at the Table Rock Inn, just 5 minutes from the park entrance. Laurel Mountain Inn is a family-friendly resort motel located just 1-minute from the park entrance and offers fantastic views of Table Rock.
If you’re visiting Table Rock on a weekend, stop into Aunt Sue’s Country Corner for a delicious southern meal.
DAY 2
A visit to Pickens County is not complete without jumping to North Carolina and back at the top of Sassafras Mountain. Just 27 minutes from Table Rock State Park sits the highest point in South Carolina. From the summit, four states can be viewed: Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The kids will have so much fun jumping over the state line at the overlook! Visitors typically spend 30–60 minutes at the overlook sightseeing and taking photos.
After a morning on the mountain, head 28 minutes south of Sassafras to cool off at Long Shoals Wayside Park, also known as Sliding Rock. This short 15-foot drop is a great recreational area for families to tube and slide down the rocks or to just wade in the pools below. Visitors typically spend 3 hours at Long Shoals Wayside Park. We recommend packing a picnic.
Just 3 minutes outside of Long Shoals Wayside Park is the entrance to Keowee-Toxaway State Park. This state park has everything a family needs for a day of outdoor adventures. Take a nature walk on the 1½ mile Natural Bridge Trail, or take a dip in Lake Keowee. Fishing is also permitted. A beautifully renovated 3-bedroom lakeside cabin is available for rent, as are tent and RV sites.
DAY 3
Start your morning off with a stack of pancakes and a cup of coffee at Pumpkintown General Store & Café. Just 20 minutes from Keowee-Toxaway, it will get your family fueled for a day of adventure.
Drive an additional 13 minutes south of Pumpkintown, and you will arrive at Hagood Mill Historic Site, where history comes to life! The mill is open during daylight hours to picnic and hike, and on the third Saturday every month for folklife festivals with demonstrations, living history, and musical entertainment. The Hagood Mill Historic Site is also home to the South Carolina Petroglyph Site, the most accessible and only protected prehistoric rock art site in the state. Visitors typically spend 2–3 hours at Hagood Mill, but it can be a half-day or all-day trip if attending a festival here.
Downtown Pickens is just a 6-minute drive from Hagood Mill. Stop here for lunch at one of the local family-friendly restaurants. Tony’s Restaurant is a great option for pizza, subs, and burgers, or try one of Chef Daren’s mouth-watering barbecue creations at The Porkette, open for lunch from 11 AM – 2 PM.
From downtown Pickens, you will be a 29-minute drive back to downtown Travelers Rest, where you started.
If you’re still up for some more outdoor fun, visit Mile Creek County Park, just 19 minutes west of downtown Pickens. Mile Creek County Park boasts the area’s best access to Lake Keowee. Enjoy an afternoon of swimming, fishing, hiking, or kayaking, and then watch the sun set over beautiful Lake Keowee.
