Table Rock State Park
Pickens, SC
A bare granite dome reflected in a lake, with rustic 1930s park buildings. The summit trail is a strenuous all-day climb; the lake view needs no effort.
Table Rock State Park near Pickens, South Carolina, lies at the foot of a massive granite dome in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The summit of Table Rock Mountain is about 3,124 feet (950 m) high according to Wikipedia. The park is one of 16 state parks in South Carolina built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC); the land was donated in 1935, and the park opened on April 4, 1938. The CCC crews built the lodge, dam, trails, cabins and picnic shelters, and nine of the 14 cabins date from that time.
The dam impounds Pinnacle Lake (36 acres / about 15 hectares); the park has two lakes with seasonal swimming. According to Wikipedia, the Table Rock Summit Trail is 3.5 miles (5.6 km) one way and is regarded as one of the most challenging hikes in South Carolina's state parks; the roughly 1.9-mile (3 km) Carrick Creek Nature Trail is the easier alternative. The park is the eastern trailhead of the Foothills Trail, which is more than 75 miles (120 km) long. For overnight stays there are 94 sites for tents and RVs as well as 14 cabins.
- Nearest town
- Pickens, SC
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 35.0330, -82.7000
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July and October. Cold, short days in January. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Palmetto Cove RV ParkMotorhome stopover4 mi from Table Rock State ParkMotorhomes
- Gorges State Park CampgroundCampsite15 mi from Table Rock State ParkTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Sugar Lake RV ParkMotorhome stopover15 mi from Table Rock State ParkMotorhomesElectricity
- Davidson River CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Table Rock State Park · 144 pitchesTentsCaravans
- Rainbow R.V. ParkMotorhome stopover23 mi from Table Rock State ParkMotorhomesElectricity
- Crooked Creek RV ParkMotorhome stopover24 mi from Table Rock State ParkMotorhomes
All campsites in South Carolina · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Table Rock State Park?
Table Rock State Park is in Pickens, SC, at GPS 35.0330, -82.7000. It is about 10 mi from Jones Gap State Park.
Can you camp near Table Rock State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Mtn Laurel Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 55 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Table Rock State Park?
Table Rock State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Waterfalls of the South Carolina Upstate and Granite domes, waterfalls and a jade-coloured lake – by camper along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway through the South Carolina Upstate.
What is there to see near Table Rock State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Caesars Head State Park (7 mi), Lake Jocassee, Devils Fork State Park (15 mi), Whitewater Falls (18 mi) and Looking Glass Falls (19 mi).
When is the best time to visit Table Rock State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)