Expedition South Carolina

Difficulty Level: Level 3 — Moderate

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

LVL 3 — Moderate

Lake Jocassee Kayak & Waterfall Tour

4-8 miles (variable)
Half day to full day
Crystal-clear mountain lake surrounded by waterfalls that drop directly into the water. Paddling Jocassee is one of the most spectacular outdoor experiences in South Carolina.
  • Guided Tours Available
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 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
LVL 3 — Moderate

Kings Mountain State Park Complete Guide

1 to 16 miles
Half day to full day
16 miles of Piedmont forest trails sharing a boundary with Kings Mountain National Military Park. The Living History Farm is a working 19th-century farmstead. Perfectly positioned for visitors from Charlotte.
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Camping Available
  • Fishing
LVL 3 — Moderate

Black River Paddle: Ancient Cypress & Dark Water

5 to 12 miles (varies by section)
Half day to full day
The Black River near Georgetown contains bald cypress trees dated to more than 2,000 years old. When these trees were saplings, the Roman Empire was still standing. Paddle right past them through tannin-dark water in one of the most atmospheric paddles in the Southeast.
  • Dog-Friendly
LVL 3 — Moderate

Great Pee Dee River Paddle

Varies by section (5 to 20 miles)
Half day to multi-day
One of the longest undammed rivers in the Southeast. The Great Pee Dee flows through bottomland hardwood forest and cypress swamp for more than 200 miles. Remote, wild, and largely undiscovered by paddlers outside the region.
  • Dog-Friendly
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 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)