Table Rock State Park Photo: Thomson200 / CC0
United States › South Carolina

Table Rock State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Highest point: Table Rock Mountain, about 3,124 feet (952 m)
  • Trail link: the eastern end of the 76-mile (122 km) Foothills Trail
  • History: buildings and trails constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps
  • Gateway: Pickens and Greenville
  • Managed by: South Carolina State Parks

The landscape

Table Rock’s bare granite face rises dramatically above the Piedmont along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Hardwood forest covers the slopes, and lakes lie at its base. From the summit and Pinnacle Mountain, views stretch far across the upstate. Black bears, deer and peregrine falcons live here.

Best time to go

Spring and fall are best for the summit hike. Summer is hot and humid; winter can be clear and cool.

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Getting there and around

The park is on SC 11, the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway. Hikers register before setting out.

Things to do

The Table Rock Trail is a steep, demanding climb to the summit. The Pinnacle Mountain Trail is longer and harder. Backpackers start the Foothills Trail here, and families enjoy the lake, campground and CCC-era lodge.

Staying safe

The summit trail is steep and long; start early, carry water and allow extra time. Get off exposed rock in storms. Rock is slippery when wet. Store food from bears and leave a trip plan.

Know before you go

This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current conditions with South Carolina State Parks before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
35.0342, -82.7118
Magnetic declination
6.8° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

18 places in Table Rock State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 2

Park entrances

On the trail 2

Campgrounds

Sights 14

Viewpoints

Waterfalls

Lakes

Point of interest

Peaks

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpackingMulti-day/expedition

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
MountainsForestLakes
Key hazards
Steepsustained climb to the summitExposed granite in stormsSlippery rockBlack bearsHeat
Best seasons
Spring, Fall (foliage), Winter
Difficulty
Moderate to strenuous
Access / trailheads
SC Highway 11 (the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway) near Pickens.
Water
Streams; treat all water. Water at developed areas.
Cell / satellite coverage
Fair on the summit, patchy on trails.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911.
Permits & regulations
Hikers register before hiking.
Leave No Trace
Register before hiking, stay on trail, and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high73°F(23°C)23°C(73°F)
Average low47°F(8°C)8°C(47°F)
Rainfall5.2 in(131 mm)131 mm(5.2 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 22 minSunrise 7:35 a.m., sunset 6:57 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Table Rock station, 1 miles (2 km)2 km (1 miles) away at 1,100 feet (335 m)335 m (1,100 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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