Camping and hiking in Table Rock State Park, South Carolina

The rocky summit of Table Rock Mountain in the state park of South Carolina - Photo: Still Gravity.
The main attraction is the bold summit of Table Rock Mountain - License our images here.        

Probably the most beautiful state park in South Carolina - IMHO. An error in Google Maps caused a big detour to reach Table Rock. A ranger told us that this is very common. 

We got a good campsite in the higher area of the campground. It was sloped, but we compensated with the recovery tracks. 

Camping in the campground of table Rock State Park, South Carolina - Photo: Still Gravity.
Our campsite in Table Rock state park. 

We took a peek of the nearby Palmetto Trail, but it was too late for a hike. The chilly night got us cooking. No campfire today, just food and bed. Next day, we did a relaxed hike in the Carrick Creek Loop. 

Little falls in a creek of Table Rock State Park, South Carolina - Photo: Still Gravity.
There are nice and cold creeks in these mountains. 

This trail follows Green Creek for a while. Later turns left and separates - we hiked counterclockwise, the easiest way. It's short, roughly 1.9 miles. All Trails rates Carrick Creek Loop as moderate.

We also explored the loop around Pinnacle Lake. Easy walk on leveled ground. There are benches facing Table Rock Mountain - I got a leave falling in one of my photos. 

Table Rock mountain seen from the trail around Pinnacle Lake - Photo: Still Gravity.
Facing Table Rock from Pinnacle Lake trail. 

Next morning, we took on the Table Rock Trail. This was a longer hike with many switchbacks. 

C crossing one of the creeks in the trail to the summit of Table Rock Mountain, South Caroline - Photo: Still Gravity.
C crossing one of the creeks. 

This is the most popular trail in the state park. Only seven miles long - round-trip -, but the slope is hard on the knees. 

Sign with the elevation of Table Rock Mountain, South Carolina - Photo: Still Gravity.
The summit of Table Rock Mountain. 

We took it slow and easy. The hike began at 9 and we returned to camp after 3 p.m. - with a half-hour break on the summit. We added two extra miles walking from our campsite to the trailhead. 

The views from Table Rock are majestic.  

View from the summit of Table Rock Mountain showing Table Rock Reservoir in South Carolina - Photo: Still Gravity.
This spot is 2,000 feet over the trailhead. Table Rock Reservoir down there. 

These were the lands of the Lower Cherokee and they named the mountain. Why the Table Rock name? It comes from Indian tales. One goes about a Chief that loved to eat up there - who wouldn't like to eat with this view. The other tale is more mystic: Table Rock Mountain was the dining table of the Great Spirit. 

The Cherokee had hunting camps all around here. They called this area "The Great Blue Hills of God". Pretty good name.  

Check a video of our hike to Table Rock State Park.

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