In 1860, a nervous visitor named Jones faced Table Rock’s wooden steps with trembling legs and a patient mountain guide. Preserved in a newspaper account, his humorous climb offers a glimpse of mountain tourism long before the state park existed.
Black bears are a common sight across Upstate South Carolina, but you don’t want them making a habit of visiting your porch. Learn how to remove common attractants and keep bears wild, your family safe, and your property less inviting.
Brevard, North Carolina, is famous for its unusual white squirrels. Discover their fascinating history, why they aren’t albinos, and where you can see them, including Brevard College.
Yellow crownbeard brings a splash of bright yellow to the South Carolina Upstate in late summer. Learn how to identify this native wildflower, where it grows, and why it matters to local pollinators.
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.
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.
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.
Discover the mushrooms hiding along the trails of Table Rock State Park. From bright orange woodland mushrooms to towering fungi and turkey tails, see some of the fascinating species you might encounter after a warm summer rain.
