Table Rock State Park
Pickens County SC
Table Rock Mountain provides the impressive backkdrop for an South Carolina state park at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Table Rock State Park in Pickens County SC features two lakes, a campground, mountain cabins, meeting facilities and its historic, renovated lodge. It is truly 3,083-acres of paradise in Pickens County SC!
The area around Table Rock State Park was part of the Lower Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee called the area, "Sah-ka-na-ga," the Great Blue Hills of God, and they established many hunting camps in the area. Europeans moved into the Oolenoy River Valley soon after the signing of the Hopewell Treaty, settling at Pumpkintown. It was named for the unusually large pumpkins grown there). William Sutherland and James Keith operated a wayside lodge for visitors and about 1840, they built a hotel, which prospered until the Civil War. Visitors increased again after Reconstruction, and in 1899, E. Foster Keith built a new hotel, which was later destroyed. By the beginning of the twentieth century several farm families lived in the Table Rock area.
The park has been one of South Carolina's most popular since it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), was a New Deal Program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The program was designed to provide employment during the Great Depression while addressing national needs in conservation and recreation. The CCC was instrumental in the development of many of South Carolina's state parks. A number of buildings built by the CCC in the 1930's are still in use at this park. Many of its structures are now on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also a South Carolina Heritage Trust Site.
In 1935, 2,860 acres were donated by Pickens County and the City of Greenville. In 1975 to 1976, 208 acres were purchased from various owners. In 1991, 15 acres were donated by Elizabeth Ellison.
Table Rock was home to one of the states first formal nature education programs and now serves as a trailhead for the 80-mile long Foothills Trail through the wilderness along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. There are trails to enjoy, even one that leads to the top of Table Rock Mountain. The park also hosts a visitors center near the main gate along S.C. 11, the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway. Table Rock is a Discover Carolina Site, which provides curriculum-based science education programs for South Carolina school children.
Days and Hours of Operation:
Su-Th 7am-9pm (extended to 10pm F and Sa)
During Daylight Savings Time hours are Su-Th 7 am-7 pm (extended to 9pm F and Sa).
Driving Directions:
From Anderson SC: Take Liberty Hwy US-178 to Hwy 11. Right on Hwy 11. Look for the park on your left in about 4 miles.
From Seneca SC: Take 130 out of Seneca. Stay on 130 until you run into Hwy 11 / Cherokee Foothills Scenic Hwy. Turn right on 11 and go about 15 miles. The park will be on your left.
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