Outdoors

Glencairn Garden
Rock Hill, SC 29730
Eleven acres of fountains, lily ponds and paths wind through azaleas, dogwoods, wisteria, and many other beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees. This four season garden is the focal point for Rock Hill’s Annual Come-See-Me Festival, and other annual events. Other features at Glencairn include the Veterans Garden and Memorial, the Victory Garden and the Children's Garden. Open during daylight hours. I-77, exit 79. Turn west towards downtown & follow signs.
Goodale State Park
Cypress trees line the spring-fed lake which offers boating and fishing. The park features a nature trail and canoe trail, which gives the visitor an excellent opportunity to view the native flora and fauna. Picnic shelters, tables, playground equipment and a meeting facility available. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife. 9am–6pm daily. Winter hours of operation: Fri-Sun: 9am--6pm, December 1--March 14. Office hours : 11am--noon, daily. Free park admission.
H. Cooper Black Jr. Memorial Field Trial and Recreation Area
Covering 7,000 rolling acres of longleaf pine forest and fields, this state park is the setting for national-level field trial and retriever competitions. H. Cooper Black is one of the most equestrian-friendly parks, with more than 20 miles of trails and sand roads offering top South Carolina horseback riding and an ample number of equestrian facilities including stables, kennels, corrals and arenas. Other amenities include a meeting hall, waterfowl pond and 27 H. Cooper Black camping sites, complete with water and electrical hookups so you can bring your RV. Camping is also available in a number of primitive campsites.
Kings Mountain National Military Park
Blacksburg, SC 29702
In 1780 a patriot army of frontiersmen from the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia, and present day Tennessee engulfed an overconfident loyalist force under British Major Patrick Ferguson at Kings Mountain. The battle is considered to be the “turning point of the American Revolution in the South.” Visitors can see a video on the battle, explore the exhibit area and learn about the people who fought at Kings Mountain at the visitor center, and walk the 1.5 mile loop trail around the battlefield. The bookstore offers publications about the area’s military and cultural history and its plants and animals. Combined with the Kings Mountain State Park, there are 16 miles of hiking trails and 16 miles of horse trails. The Ridgeline Trail stretches 12.1 miles and connects with Crowders Mountain State Park in North Carolina, creating a total of more than 15,000 acres of parkland serving more than 1.5 million visitors a year in the fast-growing corridor between Charlotte (NC) and the Greenville-Spartanburg (SC) areas. Every October 7th, a ceremony commemorates the victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain. Throughout the year, 18th century military encampments and demonstrations are held at the park. Please check the webpage and Facebook page for dates and events. 9 am until 5 pm daily except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day, MLK Day, Presidents Day, and Columbus Day. Located off SC 161 and a beautiful 4 mile drive through Kings Mountain State Park.
Kings Mountain State Park
History and nature come together at this 6,883-acre park that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the late 1930s. Many of its buildings and structures are still in use and the impressive stonework can be viewed throughout the park. Amenities include 2 lakes for fishing, several streams, and almost 35 miles of hiking, nature, & equestrian trails. The park features the Living History Farm, which offers visitors a chance to experience how South Carolina yeoman farmers lived during the 19th century. Several “Living History” days and festivals are held throughout the year. Offers 115 standard campsites with water & electricity, 10 rustic tent sites, 7 primitive group campsites, and 15 primitive equestrian campsites. Also available are the historic Camp York and Camp Cherokee group camps. These camps have several primitive cabins with a large dining hall in each camp designed for groups of over 100 guests. Open 365 days per year from 8 am–6 pm, extended to 7 am–9 pm during Daylight Savings Time. Self-guided tours of the Living History Farm are available daily from 8am--8pm March through October and 8am--5pm November through February. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife. Pets are not allowed in or around cabins, cabin areas or other lodging facilities. Park entrance fee: $2/adult; $1.25 for SC Seniors; children age 15 and younger are free.
Lake Wateree State Park
The park provides access to 13,800-acre Lake Wateree which is popular for fishing, boating and other water-related activities. 72 campsites with water and electricity. Bathhouse with hot showers, dump station, picnic area, ice, playground, swimming, nature trail, biking & walking, camp store & tackle shop, fishing, pets allowed on leash. 6am-9pm daily. Park entrance fee charged for ages 15 and over. SC 10 east of US 21 (I-77, exit 41).
Landsford Canal State Park
The last of a dozen 19th century South Carolina river canals, Landsford Canal has all of its major features intact. The park has a trail along the canal and a Lockkeeper's house which contains interpretive exhibits on the canal system in South Carolina. 9 am-6 pm, daily. Park entrance fee charged for ages 6 and over.
Manchester Meadows Soccer Complex
Rock Hill, SC 29730
This 70-acre park features six regulation and two championship soccer fields, a seating capacity of 1,500, and a pavilion housing concessions, rest rooms, park offices, and a multi-purpose meeting space. This sports park also provides a pond, playground areas, picnic shelters and trails for walking or biking. It's much more than just soccer! Manchester Meadows conveniently adjoins Manchester Village >Rock Hill's outstanding shopping and dining areas.
Musgrove Mill State Historic Site
The Battle of Musgrove Mill was fought on this site near the Enoree River on August 19, 1780. A detachment of American militia engaged and defeated a superior British force composed almost entirely of loyalist troops. Occurring at a time when American prospects for winning the Revolution seemed to grow dimmer by the day, the success at Musgrove Mill bolstered patriot morale in the Carolina backcountry. The park consists of nearly 360 acres. Hours (Main Gate): Open year round, 9 am–6 pm daily; (Horseshoe Falls Road Area): sunrise to sundown, daily. (Visitor Center): Fri-Sun, 10 am--5 pm. Other days vary depending on season and available staff. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For more information, call or send the park an e-mail. Free park admission.
Nanny’s Mountain Historic Site
York, SC 29745
This monadnock is a little-known gem full of history dating back to before the American Revolution. The iron mines located here helped fuel the Carolina Piedmont's first major industry, ironworks, which used hundreds of slaves and skilled workers and produced everything from kettles to cannons. Many historians also believe this was a stop for runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad. The highest point in the county, it rises to 981 feet above sea level, and offers unique views of Lake Wylie's shoreline, Charlotte's skyscrapers and neighboring peaks of Kings Mountain, Crowders Mountain and Henry's Knob. Open to the public. Amenities include a gravel parking area at the base, two walking trails, picnic tables, and educational facilities.
Poulous Loop Seasonal Campground, Sumter National Forest, Enoree Ranger District
Whitmire, SC 29178
Offers seasonal campgrounds that are open during big-game deer and turkey hunting seasons. The campground has designated campsites in open areas surrounded by woods. No reservations taken. The surrounding forest environment sustains abundant wildlife populations, making it one of the most desirable hunting areas in the upstate.
River Park
(Closed for renovations until Spring 2020). This pristine 70-acre park along the Catawba River include a picnic area, canoe launch with over 3½ miles of scenic, wooded trails. Trails include the Wetlands Trail–a handicapped accessible boardwalk trail through the wetlands area, the River Trail--a trail along the Catawba River with rubberized surface and handicapped access, and the Waterford Trail connecting River Park to the Waterford Business Park. Additionally, the River Trail connects to the trails at the neighboring Rock Hill Outdoor Center in Riverwalk. River Park is the perfect setting in which to study the delicate balance between man and our natural resources.
Riverwalk Piedmont Medical Center Trail
Rock Hill, SC 29730
This trail is part of the Rock Hill Outdoor Center at Riverwalk, offering scenic views of the Catawba River and a great location for outdoor activities. The paved trail is 10 feet wide and connects to nearby River Park, providing users with a 3.35 mile trip from the end of one park to the other.
Rock Hill BMX Supercross Track
Rock Hill, SC 29730
This facility is the first Olympic-caliber BMX training facility open to the general public on the US East Coast. It has both an amateur and an elite supercross start hill as well as a pump track. Programs are offered to suit all ages and skill levels. Race events are held at the local, regional and international levels.
Rock Hill Tennis Center
This facility provides a top notch facility for tennis enthusiasts and tournament play. This facility consists of 10 regulation courts, one championship court, an observation deck, a pro shop, and concession area. Public play, memberships, clinics and lessons are all available. Open 7 days a week; hours vary by season.