Hiking with kids does not have to mean dragging everyone up a mountain for five hours.
Some of the best family adventures in Upstate South Carolina are short walks with something interesting around every corner. A waterfall, creek crossing, bridge, lake, giant rock, or little bit of history can turn what adults see as a simple walk through the woods into an adventure for a child.
Around Pumpkintown, Pickens County, and the surrounding Upstate, we have everything from waterfalls that appear almost as soon as you leave the car to longer trails that give older kids their first taste of a real mountain hike.
The trick is choosing the right trail for the kids you are bringing. A trail that is perfect for a 10-year-old may be miserable with a 3-year-old, so instead of simply calling all of these “kid-friendly,” we have separated them by the type of adventure you can expect.
Carrick Creek Trail at Table Rock State Park
If I had to choose one trail for introducing a child to hiking, Carrick Creek Trail would be near the top of the list.
The approximately two-mile loop begins in the main hiking area at Table Rock State Park and follows Carrick Creek through the forest. Instead of asking kids to walk a long distance just to reach something interesting, this trail gives them plenty to see along the way.
There are bridges, rushing water, small cascades, rocks, wildflowers, and Carrick Creek Falls near the beginning of the adventure. It feels much more like exploring than simply walking through the woods.
For families who want more options at the park, our Table Rock State Park Trail Guide breaks down the larger trail system.
Best for: Kids ready for a real trail
Distance: About 2 miles
Why kids like it: Waterfalls, bridges, rocks, and creeks
Lakeside Trail at Table Rock State Park
You do not have to climb Table Rock Mountain to have a great family hike at the park.
The Lakeside Trail makes a roughly 1.9-mile loop around Pinnacle Lake and is considerably easier than the mountain trails. It offers lake views, mountain scenery, forest, and some of the park’s historic Civilian Conservation Corps features.
It is particularly good for families with younger children who want to spend time outside without committing to a strenuous mountain climb.
You can read more about the lake, trails, waterfalls, swimming, and other things families can do in our complete guide to Table Rock State Park.
Best for: Younger hikers and families
Distance: About 1.9 miles
Why kids like it: Lake views, woods, and plenty to explore without a huge climb
Wildcat Wayside Falls
Sometimes the best hike for a small child is one where the payoff comes almost immediately.
Wildcat Wayside Falls is located along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway and is one of the easiest waterfalls in the Upstate to visit.
The lower waterfall is reached with very little walking, making it a great choice for families with younger children who may not be ready for a longer trail.
Families can spend some time around the lower falls or explore farther along the trail if everyone still has energy.
Best for: Young children and first-time hikers
Distance: Very short to the lower falls
Why kids like it: A waterfall almost immediately
The Doodle Trail
Not every family adventure needs to be a mountain trail.
The Doodle Trail between Pickens and Easley is a particularly good option for families who want to choose their own distance.
The full trail stretches approximately 8.5 miles, but there is absolutely no reason you need to do the entire thing. Walk for 20 or 30 minutes, turn around, and you still have a great family outing.
The paved surface also removes many of the rocks, roots, mud, and steep grades that can make traditional hiking difficult for very young children.
Another bonus: the trail follows the old Pickens Railroad route, so parents can add a little local history to the adventure.
Best for: Beginners, bikes, and choose-your-own-distance adventures
Distance: As short or long as you want
Why kids like it: Easy walking, bikes, and room to explore
Paris Mountain State Park
If you are closer to Greenville, Paris Mountain State Park gives families several options instead of locking everyone into one particular hike.
The park has trails ranging from easy walks to much more demanding routes, so it’s important to check the trail map before leaving.
For kids, the fun is not necessarily about reaching a summit. The combination of woods, water, rocks, and the feeling of being in the mountains while still being close to Greenville makes Paris Mountain an easy family day-trip option.
Best for: Greenville-area families
Distance: Depends on the trail
Why kids like it: Lakes, woods, rocks, and multiple trail choices
Turn the Hike Into a Game
Here is one trick that can completely change a hike with younger children:
Stop worrying about how far you get.
Instead of telling them, “We have two miles left,” give them something to look for.
Find a pinecone. Spot a bird. Look for animal tracks. Find the weirdest-shaped tree. Count bridges. Find five different leaves. Look for a rock shaped like something else.
We created free printable hiking games for kids specifically for this purpose, including a nature scavenger hunt and trail bingo.
For a child, finding a pinecone can sometimes be a much bigger adventure than reaching a summit.
A Few Tips for Hiking With Kids
The biggest mistake adults make when introducing kids to hiking is choosing a trail based on what they can handle.
Start small.
Bring more water and snacks than you think you need. Let kids stop to look at bugs, rocks, flowers, streams, and anything else that catches their attention. Avoid making the entire adventure about reaching the end.
And most importantly, turn around when everyone is still having fun.
A one-mile adventure that leaves a child asking when they can hike again is much better than a five-mile hike they never want to repeat.
Ready for More?
Once the kids are comfortable on shorter trails, plenty of bigger adventures await around Pickens County.
Our Beyond Table Rock: 25 Hikes Every Pickens County Explorer Should Know About guide includes everything from easy family walks to much more challenging mountain and backcountry trails.
