july 2021
Upcountry South Carolina
Where: western South Carolina
Directions: I-26 from east and west; I-85 from south and north; Highway 11 - Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway
Good to Know:
* If you plan to be in the Palmetto State with your dog for any length of time consider purchasing a South Carolina State Parks Passport
Why so good:
THIS IS A PLACE THAT GETS WHAT IT MEANS TO HIKE WITH YOUR DOG.
Consider this post from Lake Conestee Nature Preserve concerning a re-thinking of the relationship of parks and dog owners:
Last June, we made the decision to close our natural surface trails to dogs. After careful observation and consideration, along with lots of listening, we are prepared to reverse those trail restrictions, effective immediately. The simple fact of the matter is that the negative implications of the restrictions have significantly outweighed the benefits.
Especially because we adjoin a dog-friendly county park, many visitors arrive at the Preserve with the justifiable expectation that all or our trails will be open to leashed dogs. Indeed, nearly every signature hiking destination in South Carolina is fully open to leashed dogs. Because our trail restrictions run counter to expectations, it has been incredibly common for patrons to fail to notice, or to simply ignore, those restrictions.
Enforcing our outlying dog restrictions under these circumstances has proven to be a regular source of disruption and negative interactions, which is the exact opposite of the experience we seek to cultivate. We cannot possibly “patrol” the Preserve with enough frequency to maintain compliance with the dog restrictions, nor do we desire to be in the business of “patrolling.” Noncompliance has therefore been widespread, yet some of our most loyal and enthusiastic patrons (who happen to be dog owners) have simply stopped using the Preserve altogether because of the rule. In short, the rule has disproportionately affected considerate, rule-abiding patrons with dogs.
In limiting dog access, our primary intent was to provide more space and sanctuary for wildlife to thrive. While that intent was certainly noble, if Congaree National Park, Paris Mountain State Park, Jocassee Gorges Management Area and hundreds of other public hiking areas in South Carolina can manage to protect wildlife without banning dogs, our Preserve in the core of developed Greenville County can do the same. Our approach to balancing domestic pets with wildlife must be more refined than an outright trail ban.
To that end, we will continue to limit dogs on a couple of our wildlife observation platforms that tend to be the most crowded and the most heavily used for sensitive wildlife observation. This compromise will allow a space for those who seek to quietly observe nature, while also allowing dog owners to fully navigate our interconnected trail system. Clear signage will be posted at the relevant wildlife observation platforms.
THE WATERFALLS.
Upcountry South Carolina is where the where the Appalachian Mountains give way to the rolling hills of the Piedmont. So when Whitewater Falls plunges over that escarpment it becomes the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. To appreciate the massive 800-foot double drop the falls are best viewed at a distance from the overlooks on the North Carolina-South Carolina border. But a 4-mile out-and-back canine hike on Duke Energy lands weaves its way down to a closer overlook at Lower Whitewater Falls. Raven Cliff Falls in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness is the granddaddy of hydro-spectaculars totally in the Palmetto State. A comfortable 90-minute out-and-back journey will take your dog to an overlook directly across from the 420-foot high display and canine adventurers can tackle a hardy nine-mile loop that crosses the falls on a suspension bridge. For a strenuous hike with your dog head for Rainbow Falls that crashes 100 feet over a sheer cliff - you will gain 1,000 feet in a mile-and-a-half to witness this beauty. A sporty three-mile trail leads to the postcard-worthy Yellow Branch Falls as it spills in rivulets over a wide rock face. These will just whet the appetite of waterfall hunters in Upcountry South Carolina.
THE LAKES.
Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowah are two deep man-made reservoirs created for power generation and recreation. They are ringed by thick woodlands and wilderness areas with great swaths of public lands. Try the Oconee Bell Trail in Devil’s Fork State Park on the shores of Lake Jocassee to try and spot the very rare namesake flower in the woodlands. The Natural Bridge Nature Trail in Keowee-Toxaway State Park is a pleasant meandering that will access the clear waters of Lake Keowee for refreshing canine swims.
THE LANDMARK ROCKS.
Table Rock and Caesars Head are the stars of Upcountry South Carolina. Each signature landmark gets its own state park filled with all-star canine hiking. The marquee Table Rock Trail to the top of the mountain in 3.5 miles will absolutely set your dog to panting and the views will take away whatever breath you may have left. In addition to its own spectacular trails, Caesars Head offers access to the 77-mile Foothills Trail that is beautifully maintained and visits large chucks of Upcountry South Carolina. It is ideal for thru-hikers and canine day hikers.