Explore Natural Bridge Trail at Keowee-Toxaway State Park, a short but rugged 1.3-mile hike featuring two small waterfalls, Poe Creek, rock formations, a rustic log bridge and two EV chargers near the trailhead.
With its glossy black body and impressive size, the Great Black Wasp may look intimidating, but it’s one of the Upstate’s most beneficial insects. Discover how this gentle giant controls grasshoppers, pollinates wildflowers, and quietly builds underground nests throughout South Carolina.
The Eastern Box Turtle is one of the Upstate’s most remarkable forest residents. Learn how to identify this iconic South Carolina species, where to find it around Pumpkintown, what it eats, how long it lives, and why protecting its habitat is essential for future generations.
Discover Jumping Off Rock in the Jocassee Gorges. Learn how to get there, road conditions, history, photography tips, and why this breathtaking overlook above Lake Jocassee belongs on your Upstate South Carolina bucket list.
Looking for a beach day without driving to the coast? Twelve Mile Recreation Area near Clemson offers one of the Upstate’s best public beaches, complete with a sandy swimming area, shaded playground, picnic shelters, fishing, kayaking, and beautiful views of Lake Hartwell.
Bumble bees may look intimidating, but they’re among South Carolina’s most important pollinators. Discover why these gentle giants are essential to our wildflowers, gardens, and mountain ecosystems.
When pear trees burst into bloom each spring, they become one of the busiest destinations for honey bees. Discover why these brilliant white blossoms play such an important role in supporting pollinators across the Upstate.
Have you ever walked into a giant spider web while hiking in South Carolina? Meet the Golden Silk Orb-weaver, one of the Southeast’s largest spiders, and learn why this gentle giant is more friend than foe.
A monarch butterfly is more than a beautiful summer visitor. Discover why these incredible pollinators depend on milkweed, why they love pentas flowers, and how you can help protect one of North America’s most famous butterflies.
Hidden in forests, beside winding mountain roads, and beneath historic towns, the Upstate’s natural springs have been quietly flowing for centuries. Discover the stories behind Moody Spring, Chick Springs, Williamston Mineral Spring, and other fascinating springs that shaped our communities through history, folklore, and the search for fresh mountain water.
