Planning a last minute hiking trip for New Years weekend can be challenging, especially when you have special requirements such as these:
- Must be able to drive there (flights too expensive for last minute holiday)
- Prefer one central location with lots of hiking options nearby
- Prefer cold weather but no snow
- Affordable AVAILABLE lodging
This was the challenge I faced earlier this year (after Eric informed me that under no circumstances would he visit Québec in January…no matter HOW good Air Canada’s deals were).
I probably learned more US geography while researching for this trip than I did in grade school or college (sorry Dr. Gomez). Just when I had given up & resigned myself to spending my holiday wearing shorts & flipflops, Eric stumbled across Devil’s Fork State Park in South Carolina.
Devil’s Fork is a 12hr drive from my hometown, so we spent the night at a halfway point along the way. The drive was uneventful except for Atlanta — the traffic cesspool of the Southeast. The park is nestled in the far northwestern tip of South Carolina, just east of the Chattahoochee & Nantahala National Forests. We lucked out that a cabin was available, especially considering how nice the cabins are. Our only complaint with the cabin was that it had a stink bug infestation. Once we accepted that we’d be sharing space with these pesky Pentatomidae, they really didn’t bother us unless we left our clothes in the living room…they liked hiding out there.
This area was quiet in January, as it’s primarily a summer lake resort destination. Half the cabins were occupied, one of which had obviously been reserved for the full Christmas/New Year holiday because they had Christmas lights wrapped around the porch & were quite festive! The cabin had a full kitchen, & we stopped for provisions along the way at Ingles Market in Walhalla (25min drive). Jocassee Outdoor Center was much closer & a good option if we wanted camp food, but that just didn’t pass muster with these foodies. There was also a tiny grocery called Keowee Towne, which had gourmet meats, cheese, wine & beer…but they were closed for the holiday. 🙁
Make sure to leave yourself some “city time” in lovely Greenville, SC & eat at Tupelo Honey — it’s divine!
TRAILS
Laurel Fork Falls via Foothills Trail
Strenuous but beautiful 8.4mi in & out trail ending at a waterfall. Trailhead parking on Hwy 178 @ Laurel Valley Rd.
Raven Rock (Keowee Toxaway State Park)
Well-marked, lovely 4.4mi loop trail which ends with a great lake view. Mostly moderate with some strenuous hills.
Bear Cove Trail (Devils Fork State Park)
This 2.5mi loop trail starts out flat & boring, but the views open up halfway through as you begin to round a peninsula. There’s a beautiful place to stop & relax at the water’s edge.
Oconee Bells Nature Trail (Devils Fork State Park)
Short but sweet 1.5mi loop trail with a mixture of forest & lush plant life along a creek. Perfect easy stroll.
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Above is a list of hikes we actually did, but there are plenty more options to choose from in this region. Visit these sites for more trail suggestions:
6 Must-Do Hikes in the South Carolina Upcountry
Caesars Head State Park & Jones Gap State Park Trails
Foothills Trail (77mi backpacking trail through South Carolina & North Carolina)
