What to do and see in Greenville, South Carolina (SC): The Best Nature & Parks

May 18, 2022 Leonarda Pillsbury

Greenville, South Carolina, is anchored by what Forbes Magazine calls one of America's Best Downtowns. Featuring a one-of-a-kind "floating" suspension bridge and set against the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville boasts a thriving arts scene, hundreds of restaurants, shops and boutiques, popular annual festivals, numerous historic sites and museums housing significant art collections. Excellent interstate service and a user-friendly international airport make access easy.
Restaurants in Greenville

1. Falls Park on the Reedy

601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601-2504 +1 864-467-4350 https://www.greenvillesc.gov/167/Falls-Park
Excellent
87%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4,276 reviews

Falls Park on the Reedy

Reviewed By Polly313 - Amelia Island, United States

Long weekend in Greenville... Fantastic Small City with lots to offer...! Falls Park is an amazing place... lots of views, walking trails, place to enjoy food or drink... Pet-friendly Place...!!! Loved visiting... do not miss this wonderful Historic City...!

2. Cancer Survivors Park

52 Cleveland St, Greenville, SC 29601-3648 +1 864-255-5010 http://www.cancersurvivorspark.org/
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 12 reviews

Cancer Survivors Park

3. GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail

Greenville, SC +1 864-288-6470 http://greenvillerec.com/swamprabbit
Excellent
78%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 709 reviews

GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail

Reviewed By erdocr2

Bike riding the swamp rabbit! Fun. We started in travelers rest (TR) and went down to downtown Greenville. Had lunch at Halls (recommend) and biked backed to TR. trail over all flat with slight grade up from greenville to TR. Rented bikes in TR. overall good day to get some exercise and enjoy lunch with friends. If I did it again I would go the opposite way. Greenville to TR, lunch then slight downslope all the way to Greenville! Recommend this nice trail!!

4. Paris Mountain State Park

2401 State Park Rd, Greenville, SC 29609-6743 +1 864-244-5565 http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/722.aspx
Excellent
57%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 414 reviews

Paris Mountain State Park

Reviewed By JD3073 - Greenville, United States

I live less than 20 minutes from this park and I hike here all the time. Today I hiked The Big Loop (you can find details on Alltrails app). I covered over 12 miles and an elevation gain around 1700 ft. Saturday is the best day for hikers because mountain bikes are not allowed on the trails. If you come and other day (especially Sunday) you will need to pay attention for bikes and be prepared to quickly move out of the way. My favorite hike is Sulphur Springs Trail (appx 4 miles) and after that Brissy Ridge Trail (appx 2 miles). Both are moderate/challenging. Sometimes I combine those two for a longer hike. The trail around the lower lake is the easiest. There is a campground here and some backcountry sites. The backcountry sites are all hike in and are located around a reservoir. At least one is directly next to the water, the others are a short distance into the woods. I have been told that area has a lot of Copperhead snakes during the summer. I have not camped at this specific park. There is a large lake that is used for fishing, swimming in the summer and you can rent kayaks in the summer. Dogs are not allowed in the lake. I have seen dogs get into the water along the Sulpher Springs trail though. This park does not necessarily have any amazing features per se. During winter some of the upper trails have distant views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, the proximity to the city is nice and you don't feel like you are in it. I enjoy the trails very much. After 2 or 3 days of dry weather the trails here are not very muddy. Other parks I have been to: Jones Gap (Beautiful, hike to Rainbow Falls, need to make parking reservation on website for weekends). Table Rock State Park (hike to Table Rock is considered the most strenuous in the state). Ceasar's Head (free parking area with overlook and short loop trail with rock formations. You drive about a mile away from main parking area to access trails and pay admission). A free place for a short hike that is still a little challenging is Wildcat Wayside. In the summer kids wade in some of the pools under small waterfalls. If you are just visiting South Carolina be sure to stop at a Boiled peanut stand if you pass one. Usually $5 per bag. They are hot, salty and delicious. Peel and eat!

5. Runway Park at GMU

21 Airport Road Ext, Greenville, SC 29607-2633 +1 864-242-4777 http://www.greenvilledowntownairport.com/RunwayParkatGMU.html
Excellent
73%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 144 reviews

Runway Park at GMU

The Greenville Downtown Airport's Runway Park at GMU, which is free to use and open to the public during daylight hours, has an educational amphitheater, exercise "Perimeter Taxiway" and walking "Runways", as well as aviation themed playground equipment, a swing set, a Bi-plane "Climber", a picnic hangar, a Cessna 310 static display and restrooms. A 15-foot cross section of a Boeing 737 fuselage is the handicapped accessible park entrance. Throughout the park are educational aviation signs which cover items like: What runway markings mean, about air traffic controllers language, how aircraft achieve flight, parts of aircraft, careers in the aviation industry, General Aviation aircraft uses, gauges on aircraft instrument panels, how weather affects flight, and some aviation history etc... We are now seeking donations to level and pave the park's parking lot.

Reviewed By jrobba - Charlotte, United States

We were in Greenville for the day, and wanted to let our kids run around for a bit and found this awesome park. This park might be one of the best ideas/execution of a kids playground that I've seen. The park is completely fenced in, so feel free to let the kids run and play to their hearts content, without worrying about them going somewhere they shouldn't. The park has a covered picnic area, that's available for reserving for parties, and they also have a public bathroom, as well as a restaurant attached to the park for anyone who needs an energy boost while here. The park backs right up to the runway, and while we were here, we had to have seen 40+ planes take off and land. Super fun for the kids. The theming around the park with the airport, is done so well, the kids can sit in a playground equipment plane, climb to the top of the control tower, or take off down the run way. It's even great for the older kids and parents as there is a circular track around the entire area great for riding bikes, scooters or just running. If I had to make one suggestion, I might get rid of the mulch for a rubber base around the playground equipment, but outside of that, the entire playground might be one of the most well thought out playgrounds I've ever been to. We spent over 2 hours here, and the kids did not get bored. Wish they had one of these closer to my home in Charlotte!

6. McPherson Park

120 E Park Ave, Greenville, SC 29601-1632
Excellent
57%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 23 reviews

McPherson Park

Reviewed By ktheartstravel - Cincinnati, United States

We visited this park each day of our visit to Greenville. This is a really well kept putt putt and the kids loved it. You must bring your own putter and ball. Great quiet little park with a wading creek, tennis courts, picnic tables, and shelter bathrooms as well.

7. Cleveland Park

Cleveland Park, Greenville, SC +1 864-467-4355 http://www.greenvillesc.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Cleveland-Park-1
Excellent
69%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 98 reviews

Cleveland Park

Reviewed By wcshepherd2 - Rancho Santa Margarita, United States

This park discovery was a highlight of my trip. As a Veteran, the plane display caught my attention. But I had no idea the significance of the memorial site. USAF, Major, Rudolf Anderson, Jr’s story is truly amazing. I’m so glad I had the chance to learn about his accomplishments and heroism.

8. Greenville Zoo

150 Cleveland Park Dr, Greenville, SC 29601-3147 +1 864-467-4300 [email protected] http://www.greenvillezoo.com/
Excellent
37%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
5%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 978 reviews

Greenville Zoo

Reviewed By Nana0464 - Greenville, United States

Lovely zoo - immaculate and great to enjoy with children and grandchildren. Very easy to walk and set up for all ages to enjoy.

9. Brockman Park

E Washington St., Greenville, SC 29601
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1 reviews

Brockman Park

10. The Children's Garden at Linky Stone Park

423 E Park Ave, Greenville, SC 29601-2241 +1 864-467-4355 http://www.greenvillesc.gov/parksrec/ChildrensGarden.aspx
Excellent
36%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
6%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 36 reviews

The Children's Garden at Linky Stone Park

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