The Best Day Hike You Can Take With Your Dog In South Carolina

Table Rock National Recreation Trail
Table Rock State Park • Pickens

South Carolina does not spring to mind when compiling lists of best mountain hikes but this climb with Seaman to the top of Table Rock will demonstrate how abruptly the Blue Ridge Mountains slam to a halt in the Palmetto State. Whitewater Falls with two 400-foot drops, the tallest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains, is right down the road and Raven Cliff Falls,another 400-footer, is an “Upcountry” neighbor.

The Table Rock Trail begins beside a delightful stretch of the Carrick Creek. Don’t let Seaman get too attached, however. After a half-mile the path turns away from the creek and the hike begins in earnest. The top of Table Rock Mountain, a massive open-faced landmark, lies 2,000 feet above. The hard-packed trail snakes its way upward through an open forest sprinkled with large boulders.

After much panting from all involved the 3,124-foot summit is tagged but there is plenty of hiking to still be had across the granite dome. The views from Table Rock - surprise - are the best South Carolina has to offer. When Seaman looks down on the bluewaters of Table Rock Lake the trail ends after 3.6 miles. After spending some quality time sitting at the very edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains looking at the Piedmont that will flatten as it heads to the Atlantic Ocean, it is time to head back down.

HIKING TIME: 3-4 hours

(from the book 300 Day Hikes To Take With Your Dog Before He Tires You Out: Trails where you won’t be able to wipe the wag off your dog’s tail)

Hiking With Your Dog In South Carolina