Greenville is a terrific place to work, raise a family and enjoy what life has to offer, but that doesn’t take away the need to get away from it all every once in a while.
Caesars Head State Park, so close, yet so far, is the perfect day trip to what seems like another world.
Caesars Head is a mere 30 miles northwest of Greenville, right on the South Carolina/North Carolina border. Because it rises 3,266 feet above sea level, temperatures at Caesars Head are often considerably lower than those in Greenville, so park visitors should bring along appropriate clothing with the cooler temperatures in mind. Its remote location is one of its attractions, but it’s not so remote that visitors find it difficult to reach; a short drive up US 276 to SC 11 will deliver visitors to a picturesque mountain getaway. Photographers and nature enthusiasts are enamored by the panoramic views of nearby valleys, Table Rock and Pinnacle mountains, as well as the Blue Ridge Mountains, which can be seen off in the distance.
There are many reasons to go to Caesars Head, like the availability of fishing, camping and picnicking in such a beautiful setting, but it’s the hiking trails that set it apart. Over fifty miles of trails, from easy to strenuous, await outdoor enthusiasts of almost any fitness level.
Caesars Head State Park, along with Jones Gap State Park, helps to make up the Mountain Bridge Wilderness and Recreation Area, an 11,000-acre site that is both spectacular and unspoiled. It is also the home of Greenville’s two watersheds, adding even greater importance to the preservation of this pristine wilderness. The recreational area has an enormous and extensive trail system, so extensive, in fact, that registration with the park office is mandatory before using the trails. Certain trails within the trail system connect to the Foothills Trail. For an accurate layout of the trail system, maps are available for sale at the park office.
Within this beautiful park, hikers can experience some breathtaking sights, including Raven Cliff Falls, an exquisite 420-foot high cascading waterfall and one of the highest in the eastern United States. The trail to Raven Cliff Falls is about two miles long, but well worth the trip; this waterfall is one of the most awe-inspiring natural sites in the state.
The Ashmore Heritage Preserve can also be found within the protection of this state park. The preserve is a safe haven for endangered and unusual plants. Visitors are welcome in the preserve, but all are asked to take great care during their visit and not disturb the natural habitat of these plants. Park visitors are encouraged to ask park rangers about plant species that can be found in the preserve.
Caesars Head is open daily, 9AM-6PM during Standard Time, 9AM-9PM during Daylight Savings Time. For more information, the park can be reached at 864-836-6115. There is no charge to enter the park.
(Image: “Fall colors at Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area” by -ted – Flickr: Fall colors at Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Commons.)