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Table Rock State Park

On my most recent weekend adventure, we made a visit to Table Rock State Park. The park is a beautiful natural area located in the mountain region of South Carolina in Pickens County.

 

Table Rock is known for the famous mountain face, shown above. There are lots of activities to enjoy within the park that include an old fashioned swimming hole and hiking trails. There are also cabins available for rent within the park and camping areas.

Lake for swimming in Table Rock state park

The park is also home to numerous waterfalls. Many of these falls are found on the Carrick Creek loop trail. The Carrick Creek trail hike takes an hour to complete and is beautiful all along your hike. The trail is moderately strenuous as there are many uphill walking elevations and some areas where you have to walk across rocks over the creek. I can tell you, I’m not a hiker and it wasn’t bad at all. The beautiful scenery makes it well worth the effort.

Wooden deck walking path to trail in Table Rock state park in Pickens country South Carolina - hiking

Be sure to stop and register at the nature center before you hike. It is always a good idea to hike with someone or a group.

Walking trail - explore SC

Table Rock State Park

 
The trail begins with a paved area but does become natural throughout most of the hike.
 
Waterfall on Carrick Creek loop trail - Table Rock - SC hiking
You begin your hike at an elevation of 1,160 feet at the Nature Center, and rise to 1,520 feet with numerous views of cascading waterfalls as you pass through a forest that includes a dominant oak-hickory forest - beautiful
Beautiful waterfall - hiking in South Carolina - nature - outdoors - travel
family activities in upstate SC
Interesting waterfall trail in Table Rock - Carrick Creek - SC travel - fun outdoors
View of water flowing over rocks
Beautiful cascading waterfall in Blue Ridge Mountains
Small waterfall in Table Rock - South Carolina state parks
River in South Carolina mountains
Stone steps on Carrick Creek trail - one hour hike in SC

South Carolina State Parks

Sadly there were also reminders of the wildfires that swept through the area in 2016. Nature has a wonderful way of re-building itself and you couldn’t help but notice the healing and re-growth of these areas as well.

Remnants of SC wild fires

The entire park is full of natural beauty. As often as we visit this state park there is always so much to take in from the beautiful waterfalls, nature and changing scenery with each season.

 
Trees that were burned in South Carolina wild fires
 
 
Interesting tree along nature hike

The entire Blue Ridge mountain region of upstate South Carolina has so many options for outdoor activities.

 
 
Visit Table Rock in Pickens SC
 
 
 
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Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies

Tuesday 4th of July 2017

Beautiful! Making this a destination next time we are in South Carolina!

Nikki

Tuesday 27th of June 2017

Such a beautiful and peaceful place!Thank you for sharing!

Julia

Wednesday 28th of June 2017

You're welcome Nikki! It really is so beautiful and peaceful.