9 Easy Hikes To Add To Your Outdoor Bucket List In South Carolina
Hiking in a state with so many mountain trails can be a difficult path to negotiate if you’re a novice or are dealing with a minor injury keeping you from the more strenuous trails. Whatever category you fall within, it can be a daunting task to do the homework to make sure the trail you pick matches your needs. That’s where we come in! Below you’ll find a list of some of the best hikes in South Carolina to get you started on a gentle and memorable outdoor adventure.
From mountain waterfalls to a coastal forest along the beach, this spectacular list of easy hikes in South Carolina hits the mark. Enjoy!
Our list of the best hikes in South Carolina that are also relatively easy begins with Yellow Branch Falls. The trail leading to Yellow Branch Falls is 1.5 miles each way. Primarily, it's pretty easy but it's not all smooth sailing. There are some small staired hills to climb, a few bridges and then there's this stone-laden bridge crossing a small stream. In spite of these few pleasant surprises, the trail is still pretty easy for the novice hiker.
The Sandhills Hiking Trail at Sesquicentennial State Park is an easy 1.9-mile loop around the beautiful lake. There are boardwalks, sandy trail beds and a waterfall. If "easy" is your mantra, then this is the trail for you. Looking for more fun things to do here? Check out our list of adventure to have in Sesqui State Park.
3. Congaree National Park - Hopkins
Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061, USA
There are nine trails in this national park and many of them have a boardwalk as their primary surface. Most of them are rated easy; the shortest is three-tenths of a mile and the longest is 11.7 miles. The parks' website has great information about each trail when you visit the official National Park Service website. Congaree National Park might just be one of the most underrated destinations in South Carolina.
4. Huntington Beach State Park - Murrells Inlet
Huntington Beach State Park, 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, USA
Next up on our list is a beautiful oceanfront park in South Carolina. Huntington Beach State Park has a two-mile hiking trail that has a boardwalk over a marsh and then hops off onto a sandy trail through a coastal forest. Beautiful! After, explore the beach and the popular "Atalaya Castle."
5. Goodale State Park - Camden
Goodale State Park, 650 State Rd S-28-331, Camden, SC 29020, USA
Perhaps one of the best kept secret state parks in South Carolina, Goodale S.P. puts on a stunning display no matter what season you visit. There's also a two-mile forested trail that's rated "easy." Take it and then take some amazing photos like this one before you leave. Plus, while you're in the area, take some time to explore Camden, a delightfully charming small town in South Carolina.
6. Kings Mountain State Park - Blacksburg
Kings Mountain State Park, 1277 Park Rd, Blacksburg, SC 29702, USA
For those who love history and the outdoors, the 1.5-mile "easy" Living History Farm Trail at Kings Mountain State Park is a must do! The path winds through a representative revolutionary-era farm with a two-story farmhouse, a barn, smoke shop, blacksmithing shop and more. And when it comes to beautiful outdoor scenery, you'll agree that this South Carolina state park feels a bit otherworldly.
7. Caw Caw Interpretive Center - Ravenel
Caw Caw Interpretive Center, 5200 Savannah Hwy, Ravenel, SC 29470, USA
With over six miles of interconnecting trails, the Caw Caw Interpretive Center's 650+ acres is the perfect place to explore and hike. Located in the heart of the South Carolina Lowcountry, this set of trails won't be challenging you to any steep climbs or quickly-dropping slopes. Learn more about the beautiful boardwalk trails at this scenic South Carolina park.
Next up on our list of beautiful hikes in South Carolina is Twin Falls. This moderately-easy hike is short and sweet and ends up at a viewing platform overlooking not one - but TWO waterfalls! Get an idea of how easy this trail is by watching the video below from YouTube user Jason Ireland. You can follow this group as they hike this trail.
Getting there requires walking through a private preserve. Location: From Pickens, SC follow the directions at this link
9. Landsford Canal State Park - Catawba
Landsford Canal State Park, 2051 Park Dr, Catawba, SC 29704, USA
The Canal Trail at this South Carolina State Park is an easy three miles roundtrip. Go in the month of May for the big money shot: the largest collection of Rocky Shoal Spider Lillies you'll find anywhere in the U.S. Learn more about this must-see outdoor destination in South Carolina.
With so many amazing choices here it’s likely going to be difficult to choose where to start. Which one is your favorite? Do you agree that these are some of the best hikes in South Carolina? We’d love to know in our comments – and to see pics if you’ve already hiked any of these.
Address: Highway 28 South, Hwy 28 S, Walhalla, SC, USA
Address: 9564 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, SC 29223, USA
Address: Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061, USA
Address: Huntington Beach State Park, 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, USA
Address: Goodale State Park, 650 State Rd S-28-331, Camden, SC 29020, USA
Address: Kings Mountain State Park, 1277 Park Rd, Blacksburg, SC 29702, USA
Address: Caw Caw Interpretive Center, 5200 Savannah Hwy, Ravenel, SC 29470, USA
Address: Landsford Canal State Park, 2051 Park Dr, Catawba, SC 29704, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in South Carolina
April 15, 2022
Beth C.
What are the most scenic hiking trails in South Carolina?
South Carolina is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. With gorgeous coastal scenery as well as beautiful mountain views, the Palmetto State is brimming with opportunities for adventure. Now that we’ve outlined some great options for easy trails in the article above, you might be curious to learn about other hikes in the state. One noteworthy trek is located near Greenville and is called the Paris Mountain Sulpher Springs Trail. Though it measures just 3.5 miles in length, it’s quite challenging, with plenty of rocky slopes. The forest scenery is beautiful, though, as are the points of interest, such as the old stone ruins. Another Greenville hike worth exploring is the Raven Cliff Falls Trail. This difficult trail is a lengthly 8.8 miles, but it features delights such as a waterfall and an adrenaline-pumping suspension bridge. Some other scenic hiking destinations worth adding to your bucket list include Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve, Congaree National Park, Audubon’s Francis-Beidler Forest, Jones Gap, Peachtree Rock Nature Preserve, Sassafras Mountain, Table Rock State Park, and Poinsett State Park. Learn more about these fantastic hiking trails in South Carolina.
Address: Highway 28 South, Hwy 28 S, Walhalla, SC, USA
Address: 9564 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, SC 29223, USA
Address: Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061, USA
Address: Huntington Beach State Park, 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, USA
Address: Goodale State Park, 650 State Rd S-28-331, Camden, SC 29020, USA
Address: Kings Mountain State Park, 1277 Park Rd, Blacksburg, SC 29702, USA
Address: Caw Caw Interpretive Center, 5200 Savannah Hwy, Ravenel, SC 29470, USA
Address: Landsford Canal State Park, 2051 Park Dr, Catawba, SC 29704, USA
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Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.
