Expedition Zone

Zone: The Peaks

Upstate SC & Blue Ridge Adventures
  • Table Rock
  • Caesars Head
  • Lake Jocassee
  • Yellow Branch Falls
  • Jones Gap

What Makes This Zone Special

South Carolina's Blue Ridge foothills deliver waterfalls that plunge hundreds of feet, mountain summits with views to the horizon, and trails through old-growth forest along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway. Table Rock, Caesars Head, Jones Gap, and Jocassee Gorges live here.
Zone at a Glance

18 adventure guides in The Peaks

Adventures in This Zone

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

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 1 — First Steps

Mary Black Rail Trail & Cottonwood Trail, Spartanburg

Up to 5 miles
1-2 hours
Spartanburg’s urban trail network on a converted railroad corridor. Flat, paved, and welcoming to strollers, wheelchairs, bikes, and joggers. A legitimate outdoor option in the heart of the city.
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Stroller-Friendly
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Bike-Friendly
LVL 2 — Easy Going

Lake Hartwell Kayak & Paddleboard, Clemson

Open water, varies
2 hours to full day
56,000 acres along the SC-Georgia border. Paddle into coves that feel miles from civilization on a calm morning. The Twelve Mile Creek and Eighteen Mile Creek arms near Clemson offer sheltered water with forested shoreline.
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Fishing
LVL 2 — Easy Going

Issaqueena Falls & Stumphouse Tunnel

Under 1 mile total
1 hour
A 100-foot waterfall and a 1,600-foot unfinished Civil War-era railroad tunnel in the same parking lot. Two adventures in one stop. Easy enough for anyone who can walk a short path.
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Good for Kids
LVL 1 — First Steps

SC Botanical Garden Trails, Clemson

1 to 3 miles (trail network)
30 minutes to 3 hours
295 acres on the Clemson University campus, free to visit. Cultivated display gardens, a geology museum, nature trails through Piedmont forest, and a stream corridor beautiful year-round.
  • Wheelchair Accessible (paved paths)
  • Stroller-Friendly
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Free Admission
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 1 — First Steps

Sadlers Creek State Park on Lake Hartwell

Short nature trails
Half day to overnight
A quiet lakeside state park on a peninsula jutting into Lake Hartwell. No name recognition. No crowds. Lakeside camping, a boat ramp, fishing, and a swimming area without fighting for a reservation.
  • Dog-Friendly (Leashed)
  • Stroller-Friendly (Paved areas)
  • Parking at Trailhead

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best hike in Upstate South Carolina?

Table Rock Summit Trail is the most rewarding hike in Upstate SC. The 7.2-mile round trip climbs 1,000 feet to a granite summit with 360-degree views stretching to the horizon. Caesars Head State Park is the best option for a shorter, easier overlook experience.

Where are the best waterfalls in South Carolina?

The best waterfalls in South Carolina are in the Upstate. Raven Cliff Falls (400 feet) is the tallest in the state. Yellow Branch Falls near Walhalla is the most accessible. Table Rock State Park has beautiful falls along the Carrick Creek Trail. Most are within 30 minutes of Greenville.

Is Lake Jocassee worth visiting?

Lake Jocassee is one of the most beautiful lakes in the eastern United States. The water is crystal clear, the shoreline is completely undeveloped, and waterfalls drop directly into the lake. Kayaking to the falls is one of the top outdoor experiences in South Carolina.

What is the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway?

SC Highway 11 runs along the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains through Upstate South Carolina, connecting most of the major parks and waterfalls in The Peaks zone. It is one of the most scenic drives in the Southeast and serves as the backbone of the Upstate adventure corridor.