Keowee-Toxaway State Park SC 29685

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Set Apart On Purpose

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Epic but BE PREPARED (TaxoWaway / Keowee-Toxaway State Park) If you’re thinking about hiking at Keowee Toxaway State Park or taking on the Palmetto Trail section nearby, let me just go ahead and prepare you: this hike is EPIC – but it’s not a casual stroll. The scenery is insane… waterfalls, bridges, winding forest paths, and beautiful overlooks. It feels like you’re walking through untouched Carolina wilderness. BUT you definitely need to go in prepared, especially if you’re bringing kids. Here’s what most people don’t realize: ? 1. The Palmetto Trail is MASSIVE The entire Palmetto Trail stretches over 500 miles across South Carolina, from the mountains near the NC border all the way to the coast. That means the sections around Keowee-Toxaway can be longer, more rugged, and more confusing than people expect. It’s very easy to underestimate distance and daylight. We were out there for hours and didn’t make it back before dark. ? 2. YES—There are black bears This is legit black bear territory. You don’t always see them, but they absolutely see you. Stay aware of your surroundings, make noise, and keep food sealed. Don’t hike alone if you can avoid it. And remember: black bears aren’t usually aggressive, but you still need to know how to react if one shows up. ⚠️ 3. It can be dangerous if you’re unprepared Between steep terrain, slippery areas, long distances, and little to no cell service in some spots… this trail demands respect. Bring: Plenty of water Snacks A charged phone + portable charger A map (don’t rely 100% on GPS) Good shoes Layers for sudden temperature changes Emergency basics This is NOT the hike for a cute outfit and no supplies. ?‍?‍?‍? 4. Kids can absolutely do it but it’s a challenge My kids are troopers and made it, but it pushed all of us. Just know what you’re getting into if you bring little ones. ? 5. Worth it? 100% Despite the challenges, this trail was one of the most unforgettable hikes I’ve ever done. If you want adventure, wild beauty, and a true South Carolina mountain experience, this is it. Just do yourself a favor: go prepared. This isn’t a simple “park and walk for 20 minutes” type of place. It’s wild, it’s real, and it’s unforgettable. (My apologies for the random photos)

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Chassidy Cail

Perfect place for a weekend getaway. Spent the day kayaking on Keowee and hung out at our camp spot in the afternoon. Nothing like a nice cooked camp breakfast while listening to birds chirp. It was also cool to hang out in the beach area and watch the sun go down.

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David Williams

I really like the park. Trails are good. Pretty amazing how much damage was done by the 2024 hurricane. But, that is the case for All the parks up here.