Hiking within a South Carolina state park is a wonderful way to enjoy reconnecting with Mother Nature. The trails are usually well-maintained, and you can almost always count on meeting or at least passing a few smiling strangers who are also seeking a memorable outdoor experience. If you’re looking for more of a technical challenge, though, take the 3.8-mile trek known as Sulphur Springs Trail at Paris Mountain State Park.

If a few inclines and some rocks and roots aren't an issue for you, then you'll likely love this forest adventure.
alltrails.com
It leads past some interesting sights within Paris Mountain State Park.
The trail begins at Picnic Area 6 just outside of Greenville.
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Since it's a loop trail, you'll be faced with the immediate decision of which way to go: clockwise or counter-clockwise. Most people prefer clockwise.
For a short distance, the trail meanders alongside a quiet mountain stream.
alltrails/Zulema Blas
During inclement weather, you may enjoy the gurgling sounds of the water washing over the rocky bottom as you make your way over the path and an occasional footbridge.
The trails in this park are well marked and often crisscross one another.
alltrails/Zulema Blas
Keep an eye out for the white blazes or for the white Sulphur Springs Trail signs.

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A few scrambles along the way may have you wondering if you should turn around.
alltrails/Jana Keller
So you may find ​​trekking poles to be helpful.

Follow the trail along a picturesque mountain ridge where the sights and sounds of the beautiful pine and hardwood South Carolina forest may inspire you to slow down and take it all in.
Eventually, the trail winds past an old dam.
alltrails/Rebecca Rogers
It also traverses past Mountain Lake, a small reservoir with a gorgeous cut-stone face and adjacent matching tower.
Paris Mountain State Park is home to at least four lakes and nearly 14 miles of hiking trails.
alltrails/Russell Austin
Some of the hiking trails, including this one, have sections that are shared with mountain bikers. To best avoid them, just head to this trail during the week instead of weekends.
The park itself was built in 1936 by the CCC, a public work relief program initiated after the Great Depression that put Americans back to work.
alltrails/Russell Austin
The land where the park sits is filled with folklore carried forward from the days when the Cherokee Indians lived here.
Be sure to carve out enough time to truly enjoy this forest hike in South Carolina.
alltrails/Stephanie King
Most people finish the trek in two to three hours, so it's not really suitable for small children. But there are lots of other kid-friendly hikes throughout the state!

For more information on this enchanted forest, 3.8-mile hike in South Carolina, refer to the Sulphur Springs Trail page on Alltrails. They also have an app you can download and bring along for guidance, provided you have cell service. Use AllTrails+ to download maps for offline use when your service is spotty or nonexistent.

Paris Mountain State Park charges a nominal admission/parking fee, but the park has much to offer in the way of outdoor recreation. For more information on the park, go to the official website of South Carolina Parks.

If you’re still in the mood for more Palmetto State adventures, take a look at this video about the Kiawah River Pelicans:

 

 

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More to Explore

More to Love About South Carolina

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | July 24, 2023

 

Where can we find other hiking trails in South Carolina?

  • Foothills Trail in Oconee Co – Take in the wildlife such as white-tailed deer, black bears, and bald eagles as you trek through this very extensive 75-mile trail through what is called the Blue Ridge Escarpment.
  • Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve in Kershaw – The trails here traverse through a wide range of biodiversity in this 2,267-acre preserve and are popular year-round.
  • Congaree National Park in Hopkins - Hikers can enjoy more than 25 miles of hiking trails, and an extensive boardwalk in this beautiful park which is home to the oldest bottomland hardwood forest in the country.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other wonderful hiking trails in South Carolina.

Where can we find state parks in South Carolina?

  • Little Pee Dee State Park in Dillon offers fishing, camping, boating, and kayak rentals.
  • Hunting Island State Park in Hunting Island features a beach, lighthouse, campground, nature center, and nature trails.
  • Table Rock State Park in Pickens is highlighted by a beautiful lake and has scores of hiking trails.

Read on to learn more about the many beautiful state parks in South Carolina.

Where can we find historic churches in South Carolina?

  • The founding of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Beaufort dates back to the Civil War.
  • The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, built in 1890, is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston.
  • The Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia is the oldest surviving sanctuary and first Episcopal church in the city.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other amazing historic churches in South Carolina.

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Paris Mountain State Park, 2401 State Park Rd, Greenville, SC 29609, USA