Attraction of the Week: Paris Mountain State Park
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The Upstate South Carolina region offers no shortage of natural attractions. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains, the area has long been a haven for hikers and outdoor adventurous types. Greenville, the heart of the Upstate, is a popular base for exploring the great outdoors. Now a bustling city with an extremely popular Main St., many tourists today seek a quiet place to escape the congestion.
While I enjoyed living in the city and shopping, attending local events, and exploring the local food scene, I also loved driving out to different state parks each weekend. I enjoy hiking, kayaking, and discovering new waterfalls and Greenville is the perfect base for enjoying all these activities and more. This city is great because you get to enjoy all the modern convenience of city living, while still being driveable to awesome nature.
One of the more easily accessible places to get lost in nature is Paris Mountain State Park, one of the few outdoor destinations which does not require a lengthy drive out of the city. The park is located just 15 minutes from downtown, making it a convenient choice for anyone who doesn’t want to spend their entire weekend in the car.
We all know that nature is good for us (I recommend reading The Nature Fix). Thus, spending a few hours at a beautiful park is a great way to get in a little exercise, breathe in fresh unpolluted air, and rejuvenate in natural surroundings. I am on the computer a lot so I spend a lot of my free time hiking.
Hiking, birdwatching, and waterfall viewing
Most trails within this park fall into the easy to moderate range. One great option I would recommend for new visitors is the Lake Placid Loop, a simple 0.75 mile trek around the lake. This is more of a nature trail for those who want to simply enjoy the fresh air, bird watch, and look out for small wildlife.
The Mountain Creek trail is a nice moderate trek of just over a mile. And, for those up for a bigger adventure, Sulphur Springs involves a more strenuous trek, in exchange for more fantastic scenery.
I love all the little bridges through the woods. It’s a really photogenic place, especially during the summer when the forest is lush and green and during the autumn months when you can enjoy a medley of colorful leaves. This area is actually wonderful for leaf peeping thanks to the cooler temps in the mountains compared to the lowcountry region.
Beautiful scenery along the Lake Placid Loop. This is the best trail if you are looking to take it easy and just enjoy the scenery. This lake is so serene and I love seeing the reflection of the fall colors near peak.
This is a nice little waterfall along the lake loop. Nothing major like you would see at any of the big state parks in the Upstate, but a nice bonus along the way. If you want to hike to some incredible waterfalls, you can check out my Upstate waterfall guide to see some real beauties.
My favorite time to visit is during the autumn season. The scenery is beautiful this time of the year with lots of opportunity for leaf peeping and family fall photos. Plus, the temps are near perfect for doing anything outside. Not as cold as the Midwest and Northeast states, but just perfect for hiking.
Kayaking & swimming on Lake Placid
Lake Placid is a 13 acre lake, popular with kayakers, fishers, and swimmers. A small portion of the lake is open for swimming (included with admission). Bass, catfish, and bream are stocked in the lake, with bass fishing reported as excellent. Kayak and pedal boat rentals are conveniently available on-site, with the setting tranquil and scenic for either activity.
It’s a great place for a summer picnic too. Even the visitor center is a beautiful place to relax. Here, you can kick back, and enjoy the lake scenery via an Adirondack chair. It reminds me of being a campground – just super laid-back with nature in every direction.
Although this park has become quite popular with local hikers and cyclists, remaining busy year-round, it still makes for a nice quick escape from the city. Once you see how busy Greenville’s Main St. has become, you will be seeking a quiet oasis, if only for an hour or 2! This is the park I visit when I don’t want to make the 45min-1 hour drive to some of the bigger state parks like Caesars and Jones Gap.
Notes
- Unfortunately, this park charges for trails maps, which is a bit ridiculous considering the entry fee. I recommend scanning the trail map online to save yourself a few bucks.
- It can be a bit of a hassle finding parking on the weekends. I recommend getting here early in the morning, and avoiding Saturdays altogether.
- Trails can be really muddy, especially following a big storm. Always wear appropriate hiking shoes for this hike, and all others.
Additional Info
- Location: 2401 State Park Rd, Greenville, SC 29609.
- Hours are 8am-8pm, 7 days a week
- Admission fees are $6 per person, $3.75 for seniors, $3.50 for kids 6-15
- Pets are allowed, although they must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
- Accessibility: A new wheelchair friendly paved trail was added in 2023. It starts at the visitors center and takes you to the lake. They also have new picnic tables and grills especially for those with wheelchairs.
More for nature lovers
If you are looking for more ways to relax close to the city, you can check out my guide to the best preserves and parks in Greenville. Fortunately, there are many ways to take in the beauty of this area. Greenville itself offers a number of places where you can get back to nature without doing much driving. If you have ever visited the city before, then you definitely know about Falls Parks, the beautiful waterfall located right downtown. It can be quite crowded in the summer, and thus, I’ve added a few low-key options to the mix.
