Upcountry South Carolina

Upcountry South Carolina, also known as The Upstate, consists of the northwestern corner of the state.

Cities

Map of Upcountry South Carolina

Principal cities

34.503333-82.6502781 Anderson
34.685-82.8147222 Clemson
34.844444-82.3855563 Greenville
34.93-81.994 Spartanburg

Other cities and towns

34.525556-82.4961115 Belton
34.693333-82.1986116 Fountain Inn
34.805833-82.2302787 Five Forks
34.930278-82.2258 Greer
34.780833-82.3005569 Mauldin
34.733333-82.2610 Simpsonville
34.8569-82.223911 Sugar Tit
34.913333-82.31083312 Taylors
34.767222-83.06444413 Walhalla

Other destinations

Blue Ridge Mountains
35.1167-82.614 Caesar's Head State Park in North Greenville County off of US-276, has a famous rock formation that looks like a man's face in profile
34.9529-82.947615 Devils Fork State Park
35.0359-82.705916 Table Rock State Park

Understand

While there are many upscale gated communities here, the area remains primarily rural in nature. This is an excellent place for family vacations and romantic getaways in particular. The best time for touring is from May to November. Autumn foliage is at its peak usually in mid to late October. Accommodations range from camping to vacation rental properties.

Get in

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport

Get around

I-85 is the major highway, connecting Charlotte and Atlanta by way of Gaffney, Spartanburg, Greenville and Anderson. I-26 cuts south from North Carolina through Spartanburg, then goes to Columbia by way of Laurens and Newberry. I-26 crosses I-85 in Spartanburg, but can also be reached from Greenville by following I-385, which goes through Mauldin, Simpsonville and Fountain Inn.

Clemson and points west can be reached from Greenville by US-123. The mountains can be reached by US-25.

Mass transit is limited. Greyhound buses stop in Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson. The Amtrak Crescent stops in Spartanburg, Greenville and Clemson.

See

Furman University, north of Greenville, has a beautiful campus with lake and bell tower.

The Peachoid, near Gaffney (just off I-85), is a water tower in the shape of a peach is a familiar landmark for anyone who has driven up and down I-85.

Do

The Upcountry Region of SC has the highest number of waterfalls of any area in the Eastern US. Many can be seen by car at roadside stops. Access to some of the more spectacular ones are by foot trail or even guided tour boats. Lake Jocassee in particular offers the best boat access to the Jocassee Gorges Conservation Area for sightseeing.

Magnificent hikes are available at Table Rock State Park in Spartanburg County.

If it's the right season, a Clemson football game is one of the biggest sports draws in the area, especially when they play their rival, the University of South Carolina. Greenville's minor league baseball team, the Greenville Drive, plays in the West End of Greenville within sight of Shoeless Joe Jackson's relocated childhood home. Bon Secours Wellness Arena is the home rink of the Road Warriors, an ECHL hockey team.

The Cowpens and Kings Mountain battlefields, both preserved by the National Park Service, are two of the most significant sites in the Southern Theater of the Revolutionary War. Both are quickly accessible from I-85.

Eat

Drink

Stay safe

Go next

Outdoor Adventure is what this area is all about. Whitewater rafting on the Chattooga "Deliverance" River is not to be missed. World class trophy fishing in the depths of Lake Jocassee offers anglers a very rewarding experience. Octoberfest in Walhalla SC is a must if you happen to be in the neighborhood.

This region travel guide to Upcountry South Carolina is an outline and may need more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. If there are Cities and Other destinations listed, they may not all be at usable status or there may not be a valid regional structure and a "Get in" section describing all of the typical ways to get here. Please plunge forward and help it grow!