Expedition South Carolina

Activity: Hiking

Every trail, paddle, campground and scenic drive in the Palmetto State, with accessibility information on every single one.

LVL 4 — Challenging

Foothills Trail

77 miles (full) or day hike sections
5-8 days (full) or day hike
South Carolina’s premier long-distance trail. 77 miles along the Blue Ridge Escarpment from Table Rock to Oconee State Park. Waterfalls, ridgeline views, and old-growth forest throughout.
  • Dog-Friendly (Most sections, leashed)
LVL 3 — Moderate

Chattooga River Trail & Camping

5 to 15+ miles
Full day or overnight
The east bank of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River through old-growth forest. Burrells Ford is the best backcountry camping in the state. River beaches, swimming holes, and total wilderness.
  • Dog-Friendly (Leashed)
LVL 2 — Easy Going

Poinsett State Park Hiking & Camping

1 to 6 miles
2-4 hours or overnight
Where the Sandhills meet the Coastal Plain. The collision of ecosystems creates a landscape unlike anywhere else in SC. Spanish moss and mountain laurel grow side by side. Excellent hiking and camping.
  • Dog-Friendly (Leashed)
  • Parking at Trailhead
LVL 3 — Moderate

Long Cane Trail, Sumter National Forest

23 miles (full) or day sections
Full day or overnight
23 miles of hiking through rolling Piedmont forest in Sumter National Forest near Abbeville. Wildflowers, creek crossings, and near-total solitude. The best long-distance trail in the Midlands.
  • Dog-Friendly (Leashed)
LVL 4 — Challenging

Table Rock Summit Trail

7.2 miles round trip
4-6 hours
The most rewarding summit hike in South Carolina. Table Rock rises 1,000 feet above the surrounding piedmont and delivers 360-degree views that stretch to the horizon on clear days.
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Good for Kids (lower trail)
LVL 1 — First Steps

Sesquicentennial State Park

1 to 3 miles
1-3 hours
A 1,400-acre state park on the edge of Columbia with a lake, hiking trails, and a mountain bike trail. The best accessible outdoor recreation closest to the state capital.
  • Dog-Friendly (Leashed)
  • Stroller-Friendly (Paved areas)
  • Parking at Park
LVL 2 — Easy Going

Yellow Branch Falls Hike

1.7 miles round trip
1-1.5 hours
An easy waterfall hike that delivers a 50-foot cascade through a beautiful hardwood cove. One of the best bang-for-effort waterfalls in the Upstate.
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Good for Kids
  • Stroller-Friendly (lower section)
LVL 3 — Moderate

Caesars Head Day Trip

Varies (overlook 0.1mi, Raven Cliff 4mi RT)
2-5 hours
The most dramatic overlook in South Carolina. Caesars Head sits at 3,208 feet and offers views across the Blue Ridge Escarpment that will stop you in your tracks.
  • Wheelchair Accessible (overlook)
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Good for Kids
LVL 2 — Easy Going

Hunting Island State Park Guide

Various (beach walk, lighthouse climb, nature trail)
Half day to full day
South Carolina’s most visited state park. A 5,000-acre barrier island with a working lighthouse you can climb, miles of undeveloped beach, and a maritime forest that feels genuinely wild.
  • Wheelchair Accessible (beach boardwalk)
  • Stroller-Friendly
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Camping Available
LVL 3 — Moderate

Croft State Park Trail Guide

1 to 12 miles (trail network)
1 hour to full day
7,054 acres of rolling Piedmont forest on the south side of Spartanburg. Hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians all have dedicated trails here, and the park is big enough for a full day without seeing the same stretch twice.
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Camping Available
  • Fishing