Let’s be honest, does anything beat getting the whole family out of the house, away from the screens, and reconnecting with nature? Kids these days just don’t get outside as much as they should. The following are seven of the best hikes in South Carolina that are perfect for everyone in the family, young and old alike, and they’re sure to be especially enjoyed by the little ones. Whether you’re spending the day with your own children or your grandchildren, you can’t beat the quality time spent outside hiking with the kids. Take a peek at these kid-friendly hikes in South Carolina below… which ones will you choose to conquer first?
- Issaqueena Falls: Stumphouse Tunnel Road, Walhalla, SC 29691
TripAdvisor/oceanbound81 All it takes to get to the beautiful Issaqueena Falls is a short 0.3-mile hike from Walhalla’s famous Tunnel Park. This 100-foot-tall cascading waterfall has a secret cave ledge directly underneath the water veil. Issaqueena Falls, South Carolina 29691, USA
alltrails/Chad Finni Two legends in South Carolina history have been passed down regarding these mysterious falls. Both involve a Native American woman named Issaqueena who was chased to this spot. In the first version, she jumped to her death so as to escape capture. In the second version, she outsmarted the hunters by hiding in the waterfall’s secret ledge cave. Tunnel Park is definitely worth visiting in its own right: did you know it’s home to the only railroad tunnel in South Carolina? Both the park and the Issaqueena Falls trailhead are located on Stumphouse Tunnel Road near Walhalla.
- Sullivan’s Island Nature Trail on Sullivan’s Island
alltrails/Jennifer Michaels You might be surprised at just how relaxing this short 0.6-mile trail on Sullivan’s Island can be. The town is one of our favorite day trips in South Carolina, and this hike is a big draw. Sullivan’s Island, SC, USA
alltrails/Jennifer Michaels You’ll weave your way along a clearly-marked trail (make sure to stay on the trail!) and end right on the beach. What could be more fun for the kids … or you, for that matter?! The trailhead is located right at the intersection of Station 16 and Atlantic Avenue on Sullivan’s Island.
- Wildcat Wayside: 5500 Geer Hwy, Cleveland, SC 29635
alltrails/Ed McCall Follow a creek upstream to see a series of three waterfalls on this kid-friendly hike in South Carolina. The trail is right around one mile. It does have a few stairs. Wildcat Wayside, 5500 Geer Hwy, Cleveland, SC 29635, USA
alltrails/Scott Jorgensen Avoid hiking this one after a rainfall as the surface can get slippery. You’ll also want to make sure everyone stays on the marked pathway, for the same reason. The trailhead for Wildcat Wayside is located right on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway (SC-11).
- 40 Acre Rock Heritage Preserve: 2207 Conservancy Rd, Kershaw, SC 29067
Google Maps/ian fish The entire family will love the adventures to be found here! This is a great 14-acre rock outcropping that’s so much fun to explore. Note that there are two trails here. The one that starts at the lower parking lot is 1.7-miles long. However, if you continue driving along the same road, you’ll encounter another parking lot (the upper one) and the trail that starts at this lot is much, much shorter. Did you know this place has been designated as a National Natural Landmark in South Carolina? 40 Acre Rock Heritage Preserve, 2207 Conservancy Rd, Kershaw, SC 29067, USA
- Lake Placid Loop at Paris Mountain State Park: 2401 State Park Rd, Greenville, SC 29609
Google Maps/Tom Algai There’s so much to discover on this short 0.8-mile loop around Lake Placid! This wonderful trail is located at the beautiful and allegedly haunted Paris Mountain State Park, located not far from downtown Greenville. There’s enough to see to keep both the little ones and teenagers entertained here. The trail begins at the visitor’s center right next to the lake. Note that the state park does charge admission fees, so come with cash! Paris Mountain State Park, South Carolina, USA
- British Camp Trail at Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site: 398 State Park Rd, Clinton, SC 29325
Google Maps/Kimberly Craver At only a mile, and with a variety of historic sites right along this lovely nature trail, it’s easily one of the best hikes in South Carolina! It leads right to an old homestead that was occupied by the British in 1780. The homestead is now gone, but there are many other ruins to explore here. This is one of our favorite educational hikes in the Palmetto State! Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, 398 State Park Rd, Clinton, SC 29325, USA
- Chau-Ram Falls Trail at Chau Ram County Park: 1220 Chau Ram Park Rd, Westminster, SC 29693
alltrails/Kim Whatley The one-mile Chau-Ram Falls trail follows a loop around a small portion of this beautiful county park. Everyone will enjoy the 40-foot waterfall, but there’s also a great suspension bridge right over the Chauga River. After you’ve hiked, it’s a perfect spot to plan a picnic to refuel! If you visit on a hot day, you can even take a swim under the waterfall! Chau Ram County Park, 1220 Chau Ram Park Rd, Westminster, SC 29693, USA
For more adventures in the Palmetto State that you can enjoy while still saving money, check out these 26 free things to do in South Carolina!
TripAdvisor/oceanbound81
All it takes to get to the beautiful Issaqueena Falls is a short 0.3-mile hike from Walhalla’s famous Tunnel Park. This 100-foot-tall cascading waterfall has a secret cave ledge directly underneath the water veil.
Issaqueena Falls, South Carolina 29691, USA
alltrails/Chad Finni
Two legends in South Carolina history have been passed down regarding these mysterious falls. Both involve a Native American woman named Issaqueena who was chased to this spot. In the first version, she jumped to her death so as to escape capture. In the second version, she outsmarted the hunters by hiding in the waterfall’s secret ledge cave. Tunnel Park is definitely worth visiting in its own right: did you know it’s home to the only railroad tunnel in South Carolina? Both the park and the Issaqueena Falls trailhead are located on Stumphouse Tunnel Road near Walhalla.
alltrails/Jennifer Michaels
You might be surprised at just how relaxing this short 0.6-mile trail on Sullivan’s Island can be. The town is one of our favorite day trips in South Carolina, and this hike is a big draw.
Sullivan’s Island, SC, USA
You’ll weave your way along a clearly-marked trail (make sure to stay on the trail!) and end right on the beach. What could be more fun for the kids … or you, for that matter?! The trailhead is located right at the intersection of Station 16 and Atlantic Avenue on Sullivan’s Island.
alltrails/Ed McCall
Follow a creek upstream to see a series of three waterfalls on this kid-friendly hike in South Carolina. The trail is right around one mile. It does have a few stairs.
Wildcat Wayside, 5500 Geer Hwy, Cleveland, SC 29635, USA
alltrails/Scott Jorgensen
Avoid hiking this one after a rainfall as the surface can get slippery. You’ll also want to make sure everyone stays on the marked pathway, for the same reason. The trailhead for Wildcat Wayside is located right on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway (SC-11).
Google Maps/ian fish
The entire family will love the adventures to be found here! This is a great 14-acre rock outcropping that’s so much fun to explore. Note that there are two trails here. The one that starts at the lower parking lot is 1.7-miles long. However, if you continue driving along the same road, you’ll encounter another parking lot (the upper one) and the trail that starts at this lot is much, much shorter. Did you know this place has been designated as a National Natural Landmark in South Carolina?
40 Acre Rock Heritage Preserve, 2207 Conservancy Rd, Kershaw, SC 29067, USA
Google Maps/Tom Algai
There’s so much to discover on this short 0.8-mile loop around Lake Placid! This wonderful trail is located at the beautiful and allegedly haunted Paris Mountain State Park, located not far from downtown Greenville. There’s enough to see to keep both the little ones and teenagers entertained here. The trail begins at the visitor’s center right next to the lake. Note that the state park does charge admission fees, so come with cash!
Paris Mountain State Park, South Carolina, USA
Google Maps/Kimberly Craver
At only a mile, and with a variety of historic sites right along this lovely nature trail, it’s easily one of the best hikes in South Carolina! It leads right to an old homestead that was occupied by the British in 1780. The homestead is now gone, but there are many other ruins to explore here. This is one of our favorite educational hikes in the Palmetto State!
Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, 398 State Park Rd, Clinton, SC 29325, USA
alltrails/Kim Whatley
The one-mile Chau-Ram Falls trail follows a loop around a small portion of this beautiful county park. Everyone will enjoy the 40-foot waterfall, but there’s also a great suspension bridge right over the Chauga River. After you’ve hiked, it’s a perfect spot to plan a picnic to refuel! If you visit on a hot day, you can even take a swim under the waterfall!
Chau Ram County Park, 1220 Chau Ram Park Rd, Westminster, SC 29693, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In South Carolina April 13, 2022 Lisa Sammons What are some more of the best hikes in South Carolina? There are so many great hiking trails in South Carolina! One of our favorites is the boardwalk hike at Audubon’s Francis-Beidler Forest in Harleyville. It’s accessible, about 1.75 miles in length, and will show you some beautiful scenery! What are the best parks in South Carolina? When it comes to parks in South Carolina, it doesn’t get much better than Congaree National Park. Whether you’re looking to camp overnight, hike the 20+ miles of trails, or observe native wildlife, it’s the perfect spot for nature lovers. What are some good waterfall trails in South Carolina? Know what sounds even better than a hiking trail with waterfalls in South Carolina? An easy access waterfall that requires pretty much no hiking! There are several of these hikes in the state that are just waiting to be explored!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In South Carolina
April 13, 2022
Lisa Sammons
What are some more of the best hikes in South Carolina? There are so many great hiking trails in South Carolina! One of our favorites is the boardwalk hike at Audubon’s Francis-Beidler Forest in Harleyville. It’s accessible, about 1.75 miles in length, and will show you some beautiful scenery! What are the best parks in South Carolina? When it comes to parks in South Carolina, it doesn’t get much better than Congaree National Park. Whether you’re looking to camp overnight, hike the 20+ miles of trails, or observe native wildlife, it’s the perfect spot for nature lovers. What are some good waterfall trails in South Carolina? Know what sounds even better than a hiking trail with waterfalls in South Carolina? An easy access waterfall that requires pretty much no hiking! There are several of these hikes in the state that are just waiting to be explored!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are so many great hiking trails in South Carolina! One of our favorites is the boardwalk hike at Audubon’s Francis-Beidler Forest in Harleyville. It’s accessible, about 1.75 miles in length, and will show you some beautiful scenery!
What are the best parks in South Carolina?
When it comes to parks in South Carolina, it doesn’t get much better than Congaree National Park. Whether you’re looking to camp overnight, hike the 20+ miles of trails, or observe native wildlife, it’s the perfect spot for nature lovers.
What are some good waterfall trails in South Carolina?
Know what sounds even better than a hiking trail with waterfalls in South Carolina? An easy access waterfall that requires pretty much no hiking! There are several of these hikes in the state that are just waiting to be explored!
