Hiking DAY TRIPS
By Shelbie Goulding
Crowders Mountain State Park 5.8 mi. 4.2 mi.
2.5 HOURS
Travel a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of the South Carolina border and get a view of Charlotte from Gaston County, North Carolina, on Crowders Mountain. Trek along Crowders Trail to Rocktop Trail Loop, a 5.8-mile climb to the top of Crowders Mountain for a view of the North Carolina landscape and a distant outlook of Queen City and the East. For a tougher hike, climb the park’s Pinnacle Trail, a 4.2 out and back trail featuring a view of the state’s west side.
Poinsett State Park
14.8 mi.
Table Rock State Park 6.8 mi. 8 mi.
3.25 HOURS
The park is a three-hour, 15-minute drive to Pickens, South Carolina. For a moderate, at times strenuous hike, climb Table Rock Trail, a 6.8-mile trail with rewarding views of both a lake and mountain landscape. For a tougher, more challenging hike, climb to the summit of Pinnacle Mountain Trail, an 8-mile out and back trail featuring views and waterfalls.
30 MINUTES
Stay close to home and travel to Pinewood, South Carolina, for family-friendly hikes or mountain biking at Sumter County’s own state park. Although most trails are easy, take on the moderate Poinsett Loop trail to get the entire park experience in 14.8 miles. *Time estimates are based off of time traveled from downtown Sumter
14 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE
