There’s a reason more than 29 billion tourists visit South Carolina each year — nature’s beauty is on display year-round.
The state’s coastal beaches are wildly popular destinations with magnificent sunrises and sunsets, but head west. Tucked away at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Greenville are gems of breathtaking vistas. Known for its Southern charm and culture, Greenville and the Upstate area are visited annually by over 7 million tourists, who find adventures of every type, from food to the outdoors. The optics are among the best anywhere.
This is part of a new USA TODAY network project showcasing breathtaking — and perhaps, underappreciated — views throughout the United States. These are some of the most beautiful landmarks, scenic vistas and hidden gems you can truly treasure in your area.
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[ Most Treasured Views in America: National | West | South | Middle America | Northeast ]
Here are four of Upstate South Carolina’s most treasured views.
The Pretty Place
Fred W. Symmes Chapel, known locally as The Pretty Place because of the amazing views, sits atop Stone Mountain at 3,200 feet on the eastern ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Located on private property owned by the YMCA Camp Greenville, the chapel is on the edge of a cliff and overlooks the Piedmont region of South Carolina. The panoramic views make Pretty Place popular for weddings and events. About 312,000 people visit annually.
The chapel is open to the public from sunrise to sunset, but hours can vary. Check the online chapel schedule before visiting. It is typically booked on Saturdays and Sundays.
Camp Greenville has been in existence since 1912 and covers 1,400 acres. The camp adjoins Jones Gap State Park and the Mountain Bridge Wilderness area to the south and borders the Dupont State Forest and North Carolina to the north.
Location: 4399 YMCA Camp Road, Cleveland, S.C., (864) 836-3291
Things to do: Camp Greenville has a waterfall, numerous trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Do you have to pay to see The Pretty Place: No.
What is the closest city to The Pretty Place: Cleveland, S.C., Travelers Rest is 52 minutes away, while Brevard, N.C. is 31 minutes away.
Accommodations nearby: The nearest hotels are the Hampton Inn-Traveler’s Rest, Holiday Inn-Brevard, Hampton Inn-Brevard, and the AC Hotel – Downtown Asheville.
What more to know: The only public restrooms are temporary toilets. Indoor/permanent restrooms are available for private events only. The chapel is wheelchair accessible from the parking lot. Service animals are allowed at the chapel. Pets may not visit.
Sassafras Mountain Overlook
Sassafras Mountain in Pickens County is the highest point in South Carolina at 3,554 feet above sea level. It is a long-time popular destination to experience the area’s unspoiled wilderness. An observation tower at the overlook offers 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and three states, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.
Named for the abundance of Sassafras trees at its foothills, the mountain provides a natural border with North Carolina. It sits on the Eastern Continental Divide.
The road up to the overlook is narrow and curvy, yet picturesque. The overlook is a short walk from the parking lot.
The park opens one hour before sunrise and closes one hour after sunset.
Location: 1391 F Van Clayton Memorial Highway, Sunset, S.C., (864) 898-5844
Things to do: Camping, hiking, climbing
Do you have to pay at Sassafras Mountain Overlook? No
What is the closest city to Sassafras Mountain Overlook? Rosman, N.C.
Accommodations nearby: Hotels are near Pickens, which is a 35-minute drive
What more to know: The path to the top of the overlook is handicap accessible. Indoor/permanent restrooms are near the parking lot. Pets must be on a leash, and drones are not allowed. Cyclists can walk their bicycles on the trail or road to the top, but bicycles are not allowed on the overlook platform.
Falls Park on the Reddy River
Falls Park on the Reedy River is the centerpiece and the heart of the city of Greenville.
Voted among the USA TODAY 10Best city parks, Falls Park on the Reddy is a 32-acre oasis of nature with waterfalls, 13 gardens, and a multitude of areas for people-watching, picnicking, or enjoying a moment of solitude.
The Liberty Bridge, a 345-foot-long, 12-foot-wide, and 8-inch-thick suspended pedestrian span, is a perfect stop for a well-lit selfie with the Reddy River waterfall as a beautiful backdrop. The bridge connects walkers to downtown’s West End and a trail system intersects with the popular Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Park hours are 6 a.m.-11 p.m.
Location: 601 S. Main St., Greenville (864) 467-4355
Things to do: Dozens of restaurants, coffee shops, entertainment centers, businesses, and an art gallery are all either in or overlook the park. Walk the trails, picnic, and people-watch.
Do you have to pay at Falls Park? No
What is the closest city to Fall Park? Greenville
Accommodations nearby: The Grand Bohemian Hotel overlooks the Reedy River and is the closest hotel to the park. The AC Hotel is another alternative if visitors want to stay near the park. Other major hotels are located in downtown Greenville.
What more to know: The park opened on Sept. 10, 2004, and was developed on reclaimed land used during the heyday of the textile industry. It is credited for being the catalyst for transforming a once desolate part of the city into a jewel where people live, work, and play.
Scenic Highway 11
Discover one of the most scenic byways in South Carolina along the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway, or popularly known as Scenic Highway 11.
The 135-mile road stretches from the South Carolina-Georgia border to near North Carolina and rides along the southernmost peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a scenic and more relaxed alternative to traveling Interstate 85.
Travelers can experience majestic views of the mountainous terrain year-round, but it is especially vibrant in the fall.
There are seven state parks along the way — Table Rock, Caesar’s Head, Jones Gap, Devil’s Fork, Keowee-Toxaway, Oconee, and Lake Hartwell — all offering magnificent views, outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, camping, and wilderness programs.
Location: Upcountry South Carolina
Things to do: Hiking, camping, waterfall tours, horseback riding, bird-watching, shopping, and more
Do you have to pay to travel Scenic Highway 11? No
What are the closest cities to Scenic Highway 11? Pickens, Traveler’s Rest, Greer, and Spartanburg.
Accommodations nearby: There are campgrounds, inns, hotels all along the 135-mile roadway. A visitor’s guide can help with planning a trip.
What more to know: Key fights in the Revolutionary War were won in South Carolina’s Upcountry’s mountainous terrain, including battles at King Mountain and the turning point victory at Cowpens. Historical markers are located throughout the region.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Summer trips in South Carolina: 4 day trips with stunning views
