Worth the Drive - Upstate South Carolina and North Carolina

Spartanburg Marriott 299 N Church Street Spartanburg, SC 29306 (864) 596-1211 @spartanburgmarriott

SPARTANBURG MARRIOTT

Worth the Drive

Scenic spots in and around Spartanburg, South Carolina 1. Palmetto Trail - USC Upstate Passage - An easy hike that begins at the USC Upstate campus in Spartanburg, the large path enters a wooded forest on the banks of the Lawson’s Fork Creek. Stroll past a rocky knoll and a wooden bridge while listening to the water flow by. Perhaps the only trail with a beer named after it-- the Palmetto Trail Ale. 2. Peter’s Creek Heritage Trust Preserve - Rolling topography covered by piedmont forest, an old mill dam, two creeks and walking trails, makes Peter’s Creek a pleasant and peaceful place to visit. Home to the federally protected dwarf-flowered heartleaf, visitors enjoy a mature forest teeming with poplars, hickories, hackberries and oaks.

3. Glendale Shoals Preserve & Waterfalls - A Spartanburg must see with plenty of picture-taking opportunities, as well as dog friendly. The location is picturesque, with a waterfall that cascades over a dam, and is teeming with plant, animal, and bird life. Walk across the shoals, skip some rocks, and enjoy the view. In the 1800’s the area was known as Bivingsville and was the site of a large cotton factory, the Glendale Mill, which also supported a local mill village.

4. Croft State Park - Once a WWII army training base, Croft State Park covers more than 7,000 acres of rolling, wooded terrain with plenty of fall colors to observe. The park offers over 20 miles of biking and hiking trails, 20 miles of equestrian trails, a playground, picnicking and camping, as well as bird watching, fishing and boating in one of two lakes. Take in the rich Revolutionary War history at the Barnett Cemetery where war veterans and their families are buried.

5. Horseshoe Falls - Traverse a Revolutionary War Battlefield! Begin the adventure at Horseshoe Falls and follow the trail that leads into the scene of the Battle of Musgrove Mills. Legend has it the mill owner's daughter, Mary Musgrove, helped a Patriot soldier hide behind these falls. With historical markers along the way, the trail is an easy walk with ADA accessibility. Gorgeous waterfalls that cascade over large rock formations make this a favorite stop for many guests!

6. Van Patton Shoals - Settled by Nicholas Van Patten in the early 1800s, the rapid waters of the Enoree River were used as a source of hydroelectric power to Spartanburg County. The power plant was shut down in the 1960’s for inefficiency, but portions of the old Van Patton Bridge still exist to remind us of a time passed.

7. South Carolina HWY 11 aka Cherokee Foothills - Scenic HighwayThe scenic SC 11 follows the southernmost peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The route is surrounded by peach orchards, quaint villages, and parks. From the rolling hills to the miles of open roadway, hidden gems are found throughout the drive. The highway was once part of the "Cherokee Path" or "Keowee Path," and was used by the Cherokee Indians, English, and French fur traders stretching from Tennessee to Charleston, South Carolina.

8. Gorges State Park Visitor Center - The 7,500-acre park features spectacular views, plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, sheer rock walls and a high concentration of rare species. Exploration of this rugged back-country begins at the expansive Visitor Center with its museum-quality exhibits and galleries. Guests can indulge in distance hiking, backpack camping, trout fishing, mountain biking and horseback riding, or simply take advantage of the picnic grounds and shelters.

9. Blue Ridge Parkway - Deemed America’s Favorite Drive, The Blue Ridge Parkway should be on everyone’s bucket list. Running from Virginia to Cherokee, North Carolina, the drive is surrounded by beautiful scenery, overlooks, and amazing vistas the whole way. In fact, the speed limit is 45 to make sure you take in all the amazing sights along the way! There are also plenty of stops for you to take in the scenery, art, culture, and crafts of the Appalachian and Smokey Mountains along your drive.

10. Chimney Rock - Experience stunning and spectacular panoramic views from the top of Chimney Rock. Home to some of North Carolina’s most dramatic mountain scenery, the signature 315-foot spire overlooks Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. With elevator access, everyone can enjoy the view. The park offers picnicking and hiking on trails that range from child-friendly nature explorations to moderately strenuous treks to the top of Chimney Rock Mountain and to the edge of Hickory Nut Falls.

11. Campbells Covered Bridge - Visit the only remaining covered bridge in the State of South Carolina!

Constructed in 1909, the 38 foot long, 12 foot wide pine structure spans Beaverdam Creek was built by Charles Irwin Willis. The bridge straddles a scenic stream and is surrounded by a quaint park where visitors can picnic and explore the foundations of the old grist mill and home site.

12. Table Rock State Park Road- Breathtaking views await you at the top of Table Rock once you’ve hiked the Table Rock Trail. Pinnacle Mountain, the tallest mountain within South Carolina, serves as a backdrop for the 3,000 acre park.Trails take hikers past mountain streams and waterfalls to the tops of Pinnacle and Table Rock mountains. According to folklore, Table Rock Mountain received its name from a Cherokee legend in which the flat-topped mountain served as a table from which the Great Spirit ate his meals.