The Ultimate Weekend Itinerary If You Love Spending Time Outdoors In South Carolina

Like a magnet for both those relocating as well as vacationers, South Carolina was the second most popular state to move to in 2020 and set records for tourism in both 2021 and 2022. While our miles of coastline with sprawling beaches and island getaways are the biggest draw for vacationers, the other regions of our state offer endless opportunities as well for gorgeous scenery, sinfully delicious food, and some of the best outdoor adventures and activities in South Carolina. Let’s explore a two-day itinerary with some of our favorite destinations to consider for your next getaway trip.

From national parks and campgrounds to waterfalls, canyons, and more, there is so much to love about America’s natural splendor — and June, designated as Great Outdoors Month, is the perfect time to get outside.

With just over an hour and a half of drive time from the first stop, this delightful nature getaway includes some of the top attractions in South Carolina.

Explore the Janie Earle Furman Rose Garden

We'll begin our outdoor adventure in South Carolina's beautiful upstate area, with the first stop at the Janie Earle Furman Rose Garden.

Tucked away on one of America's most beautiful college campuses, Furman University, this enchanting garden features 21 varieties of roses found in 800 bushes, a charming 19th-century iron gazebo, and fountains. It's the perfect place in the state to take a moment to "stop and smell the roses."

Observe Conestee Nature Preserve Wildlife

Following your garden stroll, we'll take some time to enjoy a wildlife sanctuary that's a birding hotspot in the South Carolina upstate.

With 640 acres of beautiful natural habitat on the Reedy River just south of downtown Greenville, we could spot turtles, frogs, butterflies, snakes, beavers, and more at Conestee Nature Preserve. The true stars of the show here, though, are the impressive variety of birds. In fact, the Preserve has been designated as an Important Bird Area of Global Significance. As of 2021, as many as 223 species of birds have been seen here! There are 13 miles of trails to explore, and there is no cost to enter the Preserve. A $3 donation is encouraged to support the nonprofit organization that maintains the Preserve.

Dine at Between the Trees

By now, we're ready to sit down and indulge in a delicious meal.

Located in the luxurious Grand Bohemian Lodge in Falls Park on the Reedy, Between the Trees provides scenic waterfall views with modern cuisine from an award-winning chef pulling ingredients from local agriculture and fish and regionally-sourced cheeses.

The entree menu changes seasonally, but the Bohemian Hunt Board is a must as a starter!

Hike Through Falls Park on the Reedy

Now that we've re-fueled, we're ready to check out this local treasure, which has been named a Top U.S. Park by TripAdvisor several years in a row, along with places like Central Park and Golden Gate Park. Its 32 acres feature gardens, public art, a massive, striking cascading waterfall ...

... and a one-mile trail that includes the Liberty Bridge, unique in its geometry with nothing else like it in the country. Ideally, we'll time our adventure to be able to catch this incredible view walking across the falls just after dark!

See more of Reedy River Falls

Stay at Big Water Marina and Campground

Finally, we'll drive about 50 minutes to Big Water Marina and Campground in the tiny town of Starr for a good night's sleep after a day full of beauty and fun.

The campground is located on scenic Lake Harwell and offers campsites with full hookups for those who have an RV and RV rental options for those who do not, or you can stay in a charming tiny cabin. This one sleeps six with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Get much more information from the cabin's Airbnb listing.

In the morning, we'll enjoy some fun in the sun. Rent kayaks, a pontoon, hydrobikes, or paddleboards to explore Lake Hartwell, and be sure to head over to Splash Island to try out the Witbit inflatable obstacle course, with monkey bars, slides, hurdles, and more.

So what are your thoughts about this fun weekend exploring and enjoying the great outdoors? What other outdoor adventures and activities in South Carolina are on your bucketlist for this year? Get inspired with other adventurous getaway trips throughout the state!