The next time you’re heading west from Columbia on I-26 traveling toward Greenville or Spartanburg, think about passing through the small town in South Carolina of Peak. It’s less than 10 minutes from I-26. A picturesque mountain community not far from Chapin, the number of things to do in Peak, South Carolina is amazing.

Peak, SC is located in Newberry County along the Broad River. It's more than a mere coincidence that it's directly in the path of the 1800s Greenville and Columbia Railway.
Wikipedia
In fact, Peak was created in 1855 as a railway stop called "Peaks Station," named after the Superintendent of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad Company, William Peake.
The Town of Peak officially incorporated in 1880. The completion of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad in South Carolina in 1853 meant a traveler could get from Greenville to Columbia in less than 11 hours. With an overnight stop they could journey onto Charleston the next day. Prior to that this same journey would take an average of two weeks.
Google Maps
The tiny town of Peak is not the smallest town in the Palmetto State, but it's pretty close - with only 65 residents. As far as population goes, Peak is the 4th smallest incorporated area in the state.
It's also nearly the smallest in land mass. The town is only .3 square miles. There are 640 acres in a square mile so this means the town of Peak is a mere 192 acres.
Google Maps
Any visit to Peak should include a crossing of the old railroad trestle, an 1,100 foot trek over the Broad River with spectacular views.
Facebook/Mary Addis Shivar

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The Peak to Prosperity Passage of the Palmetto Trail

The old trestle is now on the Palmetto Trail, part of the "Rails to Trails" program that converts old railway lines into trails. The Peak to Prosperity Passage of the Palmetto Trail skirts the north side of town and continues across the Broad River to a stopping point just on the other side in Alston.
Palmetto Conservation
The 10.8 mile "Peak to Prosperity" segment of the Palmetto Trail is considered an easy hike and good for a weekend hiking/camping excursion. There's even a campground at approximately the halfway point.
Facebook/Mary Addis Shivar
Peak's charming old schoolhouse is on Church Street. It's a photograph waiting to happen.
Google Maps
In spite of a fire that destroyed much of the commercial district in 1909, Peak's population had soared in the 1910 Census to a whopping 183 people. By 1950, it had regressed back to only 86 folks. And in 2015, only 65 residents live in the Town of Peak.
A real must-see in Peak: the remains of St. Simon's Episcopal Church. According to the website SCIWAY the church sits empty on the property of a descendant of the original owner. The site says residents claim the church opened in 1900 and was closed in the late 1920s.
Glenna Barlow/Flickr
According to an extensive survey report by TR Garrow Associates of Columbia, in the 1920s the state's economy was very much dependent upon the cotton and tobacco industries. But a collapse in the prices for both, plus the arrival of the boll weevil caused the depression to hit South Carolina almost a decade earlier than everywhere else in the country. Starting in 1921, farm values, land values - everything crashed and farmers were forced to borrow against their new small property values or lose their land and be forced out.

We can’t be sure why this seemingly thriving town in the early 1900s stopped growing. Nor can we be certain why Peak’s population has declined from a high of 183 residents in 1910 all the way back down to near its official 1880 census count of 62. But we can be sure that Peak has survived. Today’s residents of Peak are a testament to that fact.

Think about that as you pass through admiring this tiny town. If you look closely enough at the land and the buildings you’ll see much more than pure southern charm. You’ll see the resilience of generations of families that have prevailed in keeping this tiny town alive for the last 135 years.

Have you been to Peak, South Carolina? What did you think about your time there? Tell us all about it! And take a look at this footage of the Palmetto Trail to get an idea of how beautiful Peak is.

For more fun things to do in the Palmetto State check out our list of natural wonders in South Carolina.

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More to Explore

Discovering South Carolina

Sara Dager | March 24, 2023

What are the best road trips through South Carolina?

If you long to get out on the wide open road, here are a few of the best road trips through South Carolina to get you started:

  • The haunted places in South Carolina road trip is oh so scary, but well worth the fright! You'll visit seven notoriously frightening stops in about eight and a half hours of driving.
  •  The natural wonders in South Carolina road trip is sure to take your breath away with stops at massive trees, even larger rocks, and side by side waterfalls.
  • The waterfalls in South Carolina road trip is utterly awe inspiring. In only four and a half hours you will see seven stunning waterfalls.

Which hikes in South Carolina should I go on? 

Lace up those boots and fill up your water bottle, it's time to go on one of these fantastic hikes in South Carolina. The views are more than worth the effort:

  • Table Rock Trail in Pickens is six and a half miles and an uphill climb for the first half, but along the way you will find a delightful creek with a waterfall to rest your feet in. And the view from the top can't be beat.
  • Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve in Lexington offers an easy 2.4 mile loop to one of the newest natural landmarks in the state, as the rock that this preserve is named after has toppled and looks quite different now.

What are the most charming small towns in South Carolina? 

If you are longing for local charm, take a day trip or spend a weekend in one of these adorable small towns in South Carolina:

  • York has a charming historic district with tons of great dining and shopping options. Definitely check out the Peach Orchard, a peach-centric open air market.
  • Travelers Rest has recently experienced some revitalization and is well worth your time. The historic district is charming for a stroll and there are some gorgeous parks to hike or relax in.
  • Georgetown is often overlooked but it is so picturesque. The old houses are beautiful, the dining is superb, and the town is extremely walkable.

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Peak, SC, USA