American beautyberry is one of the most colorful native shrubs found across the South Carolina Upstate. Learn how to identify its brilliant purple berries, why wildlife depends on them, and why this easy-to-grow native deserves a closer look.
Carolina horsenettle is a native South Carolina nightshade with purple flowers, sharp prickles, and small yellow berries that resemble miniature tomatoes. Learn how to identify this common Upstate plant and why its tempting fruit should never be eaten.
Panicled tick-trefoil is a native South Carolina wildflower with delicate pink flowers, three-part leaves, and sticky seed pods that hitch rides on wildlife and hikers alike.
Hidden at the end of a quiet Clemson road, Mountain View Park offers Lake Hartwell access, a 20-hole disc golf course, a boat launch and wooded trails where visitors can walk or run different routes before finding Clemson’s “Secret Beach.”
Coyotes are now common across the South Carolina Upstate, but they have not always been here. Learn how coyotes reached the region, what they eat, why they thrive around our neighborhoods, and what homeowners should know when one shows up in the backyard.
A flash of electric blue caught our attention high along Pinnacle Mountain Trail. Meet the five-lined skink, one of Table Rock’s smallest, fastest and most colorful residents.
Hiking has a funny way of quieting your mind. When every step requires your attention, there is not much room left to worry about everything else.
Turkey Vultures are a familiar sight above the South Carolina Upstate, but few people realize just how remarkable these birds are. Learn how they ride mountain winds, how to identify them in flight, and why they are an important part of the Upstate ecosystem.
A rock overhang or picnic shelter might seem like the perfect place to escape a thunderstorm while hiking, but neither provides true protection from lightning. Here’s what Upstate hikers should know before the next surprise storm rolls in.
Find the best trout fishing near Upstate South Carolina, from Long Shoals and Highway 11 to Brevard, Pisgah and Gorges State Park. Discover family-friendly fishing, camping and hiking spots for your next mountain adventure.