It stands to reason that when people visit Table Rock State Park, the ultimate goal is to hike to the top of the state’s most majestic mountain to see the view and breathe the air from way up in the sky. But there is another gawk-worthy trail in the state park that’s much easier and still affords an amazing view of the mountains.

In fact, when you take the Lakeside Trail at Table Rock, you'll have a wonderful view of Table Rock itself.
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The Lakeside Trail (a.k.a. Pinnalce Lake Trail) is a 1.9-mile loop that winds around the 36-acre lake doling out awe-inspiring views of the huge slab of rock that juts up to 3,124 feet above sea level.
alltrails/Joanna Wlodarczyk
Photographers love this trail for the ability to capture outstanding reflections of the mountain in the lake's still waters.
alltrails/Katie Miller
People, in general, love this trail for the easy stroll that it is. But keep in mind, it's not entirely flat. There are some elevation gains along the way.
alltrails/Sandra Harris

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And puppers love this trail because, well, dogs love everything.
Google Maps/Lip Perfect Laura
Head here on a day when the sky is exceptionally blue and you'll capture that mountain view in duplicate, complete with blue sky above (and below).
alltrails/Pa Xiong
There are other trails in this state park that get way more attention, but this one just may be our favorite, with its scattered benches throughout, making it easy to sit and contemplate all the important issues of the day — or not.
alltrails/Kimball McIlvaine
Keep in mind that if you want to explore those mountain views from the water too, you can rent a canoe or kayak year round from the park office. And, in season, those rentals are handed at the lake pavilion.
alltrails/Pa Xiong

Winter hours at Table Rock State Park are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Those hours are extended to 9 p.m during warm weather months. Admission to this park is $6 for adults; $3.75 for SC seniors (age 65 & older); $3.50 for children ages 6-15; and ages 5 and under are free. Learn more from the official website for South Carolina State Parks. Learn more about the Lakeside Trail/Pinnacle Lake Trail from our friends at AllTrails.com.

For a closer look at the lengthy trail that climbs to the top of Table Rock, keep reading here.

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Table Rock State Park, 158 E Ellison Ln, Pickens, SC 29671, USA