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.
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.
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.
When will fall colors peak in Pumpkintown, SC? Our 2026 forecast points to late October and early November as the best time to catch brilliant fall color around Table Rock and the surrounding mountains.
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.
Devil’s Walking Stick is one of the strangest native plants hiding in the Upstate. Learn how to identify this thorn-covered tree and why it is an important part of South Carolina’s forests.