Table Rock State Park is one of South Carolina’s most visited outdoor destinations, yet many visitors know surprisingly little about the mountain, the park, and the remarkable history behind them. Here are 25 facts and statistics that reveal why Table Rock remains one of the Upstate’s greatest treasures.
1. The Park Covers 3,083 Acres
Most people round the number to 3,000 acres, but the official size of Table Rock State Park is 3,083 acres.
2. Table Rock Mountain Reaches 3,124 Feet
The granite summit towers more than half a mile above sea level and dominates the Upstate skyline.
3. The Famous Summit Hike Gains More Than 2,000 Feet
The Table Rock Trail climbs over 2,000 vertical feet from the Nature Center to the summit.
4. The Summit Trail Is 7.2 Miles Round Trip
The Table Rock Trail measures 3.6 miles each way, making the round-trip hike approximately 7.2 miles.
5. Most Hikers Need About Five Hours
Park officials estimate the average hiker requires about three hours to reach the top and two hours to return.
6. The Park Contains More Than 12 Miles of Trails
Those trails range from easy lakeside walks to some of South Carolina’s most difficult mountain climbs.
7. It Connects to the 76-Mile Foothills Trail
Table Rock serves as one of the primary gateways to one of the Southeast’s premier long-distance hiking trails.
8. Lake Oolenoy Covers 67 Acres
The larger of the park’s two lakes, Lake Oolenoy offers fishing, paddling, and boat access.
9. Pinnacle Lake Covers 36 Acres
Although smaller, Pinnacle Lake is the most photographed lake in the park.
10. The Two Lakes Together Cover 103 Acres
Combined, the park’s lakes occupy more than 100 acres of mountain scenery.
11. Neither Lake Is Natural
Both Pinnacle Lake and Lake Oolenoy were created through CCC construction projects during the 1930s.
12. Pinnacle Lake Was Created by Damming Carrick Creek
Camp SP-6 specifically worked on constructing the dam and spillway that created the lake.
13. Table Rock Was Built by Two CCC Camps
Civilian Conservation Corps camps SP-5 and SP-6 were stationed at Table Rock beginning in 1935.
14. The CCC Camp Occupied About 10 Acres
The workers lived in a separate camp below the mountain while building the park.
15. Construction Began in 1935
The United States Army built the camp before CCC workers arrived later that year.
16. The Park Opened in 1938
Visitors have been enjoying Table Rock for nearly nine decades.
17. CCC Workers Stayed Until 1941
The final camp closed as America entered World War II.
18. Table Rock Is One of Only 16 Original CCC State Parks in South Carolina
It remains one of the best-preserved examples of New Deal park construction in the state.
19. Nine Original CCC Cabins Are Still Standing
Visitors can still stay overnight in structures built during the Great Depression.
20. The Park Has 14 Rental Cabins
The cabins range from one to three bedrooms and sleep between four and eight guests.
21. There Are 94 Standard Campsites
Table Rock remains one of South Carolina’s premier camping destinations.
22. Four Picnic Shelters Are Available
Several of the shelters occupy scenic locations near the lakes and recreation areas.
23. The Lakeside Trail Is 1.9 Miles Long
This easy loop offers one of the best family-friendly hikes in the Upstate.
24. Camping Becomes Legal 4.1 Miles Up the Pinnacle Trail
This is where hikers leave the state park boundary and enter the Foothills Trail corridor.
25. The Historic District Was Added to the National Register in 1989
Both the park’s historic district and CCC camp site were recognized for their significance in June 1989.
The Number That Matters Most
Perhaps the most impressive statistic is not a measurement at all.
Nearly ninety years after opening, visitors still hike the same trails, cross the same stone structures, and enjoy many of the same views created by CCC workers during the Great Depression.
Few places in South Carolina combine natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and living history as successfully as Table Rock State Park.s.
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