In addition to the historic city of Charleston, South Carolina is home to popular seaside resorts like Myrtle Beach (and Myrtle Beach’s award-winning, low-fare airport) and enchanting, low-key escapes like the historic island of St. Helena and its ample offerings of shopping, dining, and Southern charm. However, there are still sides of South Carolina that travelers rarely get to hear about, none more noteworthy than the amazing Table Rock State Park. Unlike the seaside beauty and historic Southern charm of spots like Charleston, Table Rock State Park protects a vibrant section of South Carolina’s small yet magnificent slice of the Appalachian Mountains.
Located just 45 minutes from Greenville, Table Rock State Park happens to contain not one but two of South Carolina’s most extraordinary mountain peaks. The mountainous landscape found within the park is not merely exceptional by South Carolina standards but holds its own against many of the most prominent peaks in the entire Appalachian Range. With extensive mountain trails, scenic viewpoints, and even swimming holes, Table Rock State Park is the top spot for an unforgettable South Carolina mountain adventure. Even better, the park’s well-maintained campsites and cozy, historic cabins offer some of the best overnight experiences you can find anywhere in the Southeast.
Table Rock State Park showcases a little-known side of the Palmetto State
The transcendent Blue Ridge Mountains are home to world-famous wonders like Great Smoky Mountains National Park and North Carolina’s outdoor Mecca of Asheville (not to mention lesser-known attractions like the charming Beech Mountain, featuring the highest mountain resort in the east). Yet the Blue Ridge Mountains aren’t North Carolina’s exclusive property. South Carolina’s Table Rock Mountain State Park protects two stunning mountain destinations. The park’s namesake Table Rock Mountain is a 3,124-foot promenade sporting immense granite rock walls that look more like the famed domes of Yosemite than the forested mountains of the Great Smokies. Nearby, the 3,425-foot Pinnacle Mountain is the highest peak entirely within South Carolina. These mountains are part of South Carolina’s underrated Blue Ridge Escarpment, where rocky peaks rise suddenly from the relatively flat foothills to the south. The resulting contrast creates some of South Carolina’s best scenic overlooks, sunrise hikes, and photo-worthy imagery.
While scenery is subjective, it’s hard to argue that Table Rock State Park doesn’t have some of South Carolina’s best camping opportunities! The park currently includes 94 standard campsites suitable for both tent and RV camping. However, Table Rock’s coziest lodging options may be its 16 rentable cabins (many of which were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s). Far from rustic shacks, Table Rocks’ cabins feature amenities like heating, air conditioning, kitchens, modern bathrooms, and furnished rooms. Depending on the size of your group, you can rent one-bedroom, two-bedroom, or three-bedroom cabins. Four of the cabins allow pets, and at least one is handicap-accessible. Add the park’s campsites, and you have your choice of unforgettable overnight stays while you enjoy Table Rock’s exuberant mountain scenery!
Experience South Carolina’s heavenly blend of beauty and adventure
