Maybe we’re a bit biased, but we believe winter in South Carolina is the best! There’s a chill in the air, and it’s a great time to be outside without the daunting cloud of sweat-inducing humidity following you everywhere.
Without a doubt, the fall and winter seasons can be a perfect time to get outside and explore the beautiful Palmetto State. We’re here to help in that department. Here are our recommendations for the best winter hikes in South Carolina. Each trail will deliver outstanding views and special surprises — like waterfalls! Ready to start exploring?
- Carrick Creek Trail
Flickr/David Ellis
Flickr/David Ellis The Carrick Creek Trail is a two-mile loop at Table Rock State Park. Rated “moderate,” the trail rises about 400 feet overall and offers clear views of a few cascading waterfalls, including Carrick Creek Falls shown above. There’s also an overlook not too far into the trail. It’s also one of our favorite easy-access waterfall hikes in South Carolina 158 E Ellison Ln, Pickens, SC 29671, USA
- Falls Park On The Reedy
Flickr/Jason A G
Flickr/Jason Riedy Winter is the perfect time to explore Falls Park on the Reedy, one of the only city parks in the nation with a natural waterfall of this size at its center. You can even venture onto the Swamp Rabbit Trail from here. The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a rails-to-trails path that travels approximately 19 miles to Cleveland. Perfect! Is it any wonder why this park is considered one of the best-kept secrets in South Carolina? 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, USA
- Congaree National Park
Flickr/Miguel Vieira
Flickr/Hunter Desportes Congaree National Park, South Carolina 29061, USA
Flickr/Miguel Vieira Congaree National Park is a real treasure to have here in our home state. Among other wonders, it contains the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the nation. That’s something! The park offers eight hiking trails ranging from .3 mile to 11.7 miles. At least one of them has a boardwalk surface. 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061, USA
- Oconee Passage of The Palmetto Trail
Flickr/myke
Flickr/myke This 3.2 mile segment of the Palmetto Trail known as the Oconee Passage is accessed from Oconee State Park. Much of the trail follows an old railroad bed, however in places the trail gets relatively narrow as you make your way down a hillside. It’s one of the reasons the trail is rated “moderate.” But the pay off, shown above, is a full-on view of the beautiful Station Cove Falls. While you’re in the area, be sure to take time to explore some other trails. In fact, there are more than 50 hikes in this one South Carolina county 624 State Park Rd, Mountain Rest, SC 29664, USA
- Poinsett State Park
Flickr/Alyson Hurt The High Hills of the Santee provide a perfect setting for a hike at Poinsett State Park. Several trails are mapped out online. Or you can just wander along the banks of the 10-acre pond. 6660 Poinsett Park Rd, Wedgefield, SC 29168, USA
- Anne Springs Close Greenway
Flickr/Carissa Rogers 104 Adventure Rd, Fort Mill, SC 29715, USA
Flickr/Carissa Rogers This 2,100-acre nature preserve in Fort Mill, South Carolina offers up 40 miles of trails, including biking and equestrian trails. The bridge shown above is located near the Nature Center.
- Rocky Creek Trail
Flickr/John Wenzelburger
Flickr/John Wenzelburger Rocky Creek trail is 4.8 miles out and back and is rated easy, although in the winter you’ll want to watch for ice. The trail features this waterfall (look up) plus a lake the locals call “stumpy pond.” You’ll see why when you get there. Here’s more on what makes this trek one of the most unique trails in South Carolina 1009 Chester Ave, Great Falls, SC 29055, USA
- Twin Falls Trail
Flickr/MarksPhotoTravels Next up on our list of some of the best winter hikes in South Carolina is Twin Falls Trail. Located near Sunset, this trail is about two miles out and back and features an overlook where you can see the two magnificent falls at the same time. The trail is rated easy, however getting down to where Fido is in this photo could prove to be more challenging, especially in the winter, so exercise caution.
- Morris Island Lighthouse Trail
Flickr/Ted Kerwin
Flickr/Ken Rowland This short and sandy trail is less than a five minute walk but takes you to an empty beach where you can explore and hike until your heart’s content. You’ll also get a panoramic view of the Morris Island Light and all the waters surrounding her. Learn more about this fantastic lighthouse trail in South Carolina. Morris Island Lighthouse, 1750 E Ashley Ave, Folly Beach, SC 29439, USA
- Ceasar’s Head State Park
Facebook/South Carolina Parks
Flickr/Jason A G
Facebook/South Carolina Parks Okay, so you won’t always find snow at Caesar’s Head State Park, but no “winter hikes” list could be complete without at least one snow photo, right? Caesar’s Head has trails ranging from a half mile to ten miles and most are rated moderate to strenuous. In fact, you’re asked to register with the park office any time you decide to hike in this state park. But you can drive almost all the way to the overlook shown here. Park in the lot and then it’s just a short walk to the overlook where, in the winter, you’ll have a good view of Raven Cliff Falls (shown above). 8155 Geer Hwy, Cleveland, SC 29635, USA
We really do have it all here in South Carolina. Even in the winter, the Palmetto State is an outdoor dream. Whether you prefer hiking to a beach or way up on a mountaintop, this list of the best winter hikes in South Carolina is sure to have something that piques your interest. Where’s your favorite place to hike when the weather turns cold? We’d love to know in our comments!
Flickr/David Ellis
The Carrick Creek Trail is a two-mile loop at Table Rock State Park. Rated “moderate,” the trail rises about 400 feet overall and offers clear views of a few cascading waterfalls, including Carrick Creek Falls shown above. There’s also an overlook not too far into the trail. It’s also one of our favorite easy-access waterfall hikes in South Carolina
158 E Ellison Ln, Pickens, SC 29671, USA
Flickr/Jason A G
Flickr/Jason Riedy
Winter is the perfect time to explore Falls Park on the Reedy, one of the only city parks in the nation with a natural waterfall of this size at its center. You can even venture onto the Swamp Rabbit Trail from here. The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a rails-to-trails path that travels approximately 19 miles to Cleveland. Perfect! Is it any wonder why this park is considered one of the best-kept secrets in South Carolina?
601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, USA
Flickr/Miguel Vieira
Flickr/Hunter Desportes
Congaree National Park, South Carolina 29061, USA
Congaree National Park is a real treasure to have here in our home state. Among other wonders, it contains the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the nation. That’s something! The park offers eight hiking trails ranging from .3 mile to 11.7 miles. At least one of them has a boardwalk surface.
100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061, USA
Flickr/myke
This 3.2 mile segment of the Palmetto Trail known as the Oconee Passage is accessed from Oconee State Park. Much of the trail follows an old railroad bed, however in places the trail gets relatively narrow as you make your way down a hillside. It’s one of the reasons the trail is rated “moderate.” But the pay off, shown above, is a full-on view of the beautiful Station Cove Falls. While you’re in the area, be sure to take time to explore some other trails. In fact, there are more than 50 hikes in this one South Carolina county
624 State Park Rd, Mountain Rest, SC 29664, USA
Flickr/Alyson Hurt
The High Hills of the Santee provide a perfect setting for a hike at Poinsett State Park. Several trails are mapped out online. Or you can just wander along the banks of the 10-acre pond.
6660 Poinsett Park Rd, Wedgefield, SC 29168, USA
Flickr/Carissa Rogers
104 Adventure Rd, Fort Mill, SC 29715, USA
This 2,100-acre nature preserve in Fort Mill, South Carolina offers up 40 miles of trails, including biking and equestrian trails. The bridge shown above is located near the Nature Center.
Flickr/John Wenzelburger
Rocky Creek trail is 4.8 miles out and back and is rated easy, although in the winter you’ll want to watch for ice. The trail features this waterfall (look up) plus a lake the locals call “stumpy pond.” You’ll see why when you get there. Here’s more on what makes this trek one of the most unique trails in South Carolina
1009 Chester Ave, Great Falls, SC 29055, USA
Flickr/MarksPhotoTravels
Next up on our list of some of the best winter hikes in South Carolina is Twin Falls Trail. Located near Sunset, this trail is about two miles out and back and features an overlook where you can see the two magnificent falls at the same time. The trail is rated easy, however getting down to where Fido is in this photo could prove to be more challenging, especially in the winter, so exercise caution.
Flickr/Ted Kerwin
Flickr/Ken Rowland
This short and sandy trail is less than a five minute walk but takes you to an empty beach where you can explore and hike until your heart’s content. You’ll also get a panoramic view of the Morris Island Light and all the waters surrounding her. Learn more about this fantastic lighthouse trail in South Carolina.
Morris Island Lighthouse, 1750 E Ashley Ave, Folly Beach, SC 29439, USA
Facebook/South Carolina Parks
Okay, so you won’t always find snow at Caesar’s Head State Park, but no “winter hikes” list could be complete without at least one snow photo, right? Caesar’s Head has trails ranging from a half mile to ten miles and most are rated moderate to strenuous. In fact, you’re asked to register with the park office any time you decide to hike in this state park. But you can drive almost all the way to the overlook shown here. Park in the lot and then it’s just a short walk to the overlook where, in the winter, you’ll have a good view of Raven Cliff Falls (shown above).
8155 Geer Hwy, Cleveland, SC 29635, USA
Want more things to do in South Carolina in the winter? Check out our list of winter Festivals.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Winter fun in South Carolina December 10, 2021 Beth C. What are the top outdoor attractions in South Carolina? Some of our favorite outdoor attractions in South Carolina include:
Brookgreen Gardens Lake Jocassee Botany Bay, Congaree National Park The Ravenel Bridge Table Rock Pretty Place Rainbow Falls
What are the most beautiful hiking trails in South Carolina? Some of the most beautiful hiking trails in South Carolina are:
Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve Audubon’s Francis-Beidler Forest Foothills Trail, Jones Gap Paris Mountain Sulphur Springs Trail Peachtree Rock Nature Preserve
The OIYS Visitor Center
Winter fun in South Carolina
December 10, 2021
Beth C.
What are the top outdoor attractions in South Carolina? Some of our favorite outdoor attractions in South Carolina include:
Brookgreen Gardens Lake Jocassee Botany Bay, Congaree National Park The Ravenel Bridge Table Rock Pretty Place Rainbow Falls
What are the most beautiful hiking trails in South Carolina? Some of the most beautiful hiking trails in South Carolina are:
Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve Audubon’s Francis-Beidler Forest Foothills Trail, Jones Gap Paris Mountain Sulphur Springs Trail Peachtree Rock Nature Preserve
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of our favorite outdoor attractions in South Carolina include:
- Brookgreen Gardens
- Lake Jocassee
- Botany Bay, Congaree National Park
- The Ravenel Bridge
- Table Rock
- Pretty Place
- Rainbow Falls
What are the most beautiful hiking trails in South Carolina?
Some of the most beautiful hiking trails in South Carolina are:
- Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve
- Audubon’s Francis-Beidler Forest
- Foothills Trail, Jones Gap
- Paris Mountain Sulphur Springs Trail
- Peachtree Rock Nature Preserve
