If you’re from the South, creek stomping may have easily been a wonderful summer memory from your childhood. Now that you’ve got kids of your own, it’s time to show them how to enjoy the fun of playing in the creek, looking for critters. We have gathered an excellent list of creeks near Greenville, SC for you to enjoy with your family. What is creek stomping you ask? Well, it’s really simple. You find a creek and then, you guessed it, you stomp around in it. Or if you prefer, you can splash.
If you are looking for places to dive in and go swimming, we’ve got a list of Upstate swimming holes you can check out.
A Note About the Reedy River: Not for swimming
While places like the Reedy River at Falls Park and Cedar Falls Park might look like a fun place to do some creek stomping, we recommend you follow all posted warnings. The Reedy River has a high content of E-Coli bacteria. You should not enter this water, even just to dip your toes in. The Falls downtown are pretty to look at, but that should be the closest you, your kids, or pets should get.
Creeks to Play in Near Greenville, SC
Places marked with an asterisk require an admission fee.
Campbell’s Covered Bridge – Landrum, SC
The park at Campbell’s covered bridge is a perfect place to splash around in the creek. There’s plenty of shade and space to lay out a picnic blanket. The water is shallow so, this is a good place for younger kids.
Find out why we enjoy creek stomping and having a picnic at Campbell’s Covered Bridge in Landrum, SC
*Croft State Park – Spartanburg, SC
At Croft State Park, hidden just a short walk down the Southside loop trail, you’ll find a perfect spot next to the stream to splash on the shore. There are plenty of shade trees, space to spread out, and even a few park benches. If you own a hammock, this would be a great place to bring it. This park is one of Spartanburg’s best nature areas, so there are lots of other things to do here.
Pleasant Ridge County Park – Marietta, SC
Pleasant Ridge County Park is better known for its bike trails, but Leroy Smith Nature Trail offers easy access to Pleasant Ridge Falls – a great spot for splashing around.
*Jones Gap State Park – Marietta, SC
The Jones Gap Trail leading to a waterfall, provides lots of opportunities to splash around in the river that runs along side the trail. Our writer Erin loves playing in the creek here, and has fond memories of playing in the creek here regularly as a child. There are lots of rocks here, so be careful and wear slip-grip shoes if possible.
*Paris Mountain State Park – Greenville, SC
While visitors to the state park can swim during the warmer months, the creek that feeds into the lake is perfect for stomping around in. The creek is located right off the Sulphur Springs parking lot. Kids love this creek because it’s very shallow, there are lots of rocks to observe, and you’ll occasionally see a harmless water snake or two.
River Place Park – Lyman, SC
Tucked away to the left of the Middle Tyger library branch, this access point to the river is a great place to splash around. Wearing water shoes is highly recommended here due to sharp rocks. Be cautious here after rain, the water level will rise and the current may be too swift.
Learn more about River Place Park.
Nesbitt Shoals Nature Park – Roebuck, SC
Popular with all sorts of water enthusiasts during the summer, Tyger-10 park and Nesbitt Shoals is a good place for older kids to splash around in the Tyger River. Be careful, take note of kayakers who frequent the shoals along with higher water levels after heavy rains.
Wildcat Wayside – Cleveland, SC
This spot is a VERY popular spot with our readers. The shallow waters are great for younger kids to play in the cold mountain water alongside you.
*Horseshoe Falls at Musgrove Mill Historic Site – Clinton
An easy, short, and paved path leads to a small little sandy beach at the base of Horseshoe Falls at Musgrove Mill, which is perfect to play in the water.
*These state parks and historic sites have fees to enter.
Do you have a spot to safely creek stomp that we don’t know about? Let us know in the comments!
Ready for an adventure outdoors?
Check out our Guide to Things to Do Outdoors Near Greenville, SC to plan the perfect day.
Fantastic creek stomping at pleasant Ridge park, right at the entrance, and also Timmons Park right downtown. I discovered both on park hop years ago and have been back several times since! Nice big crayfish and salamanders—I found a five inch salamander at pleasant ridge last month!!
I went to River Place Park at the Middle Tyger Library today. The river was high from all the recent rains. One part of it looked like some pretty intense rapids. Not what I was expecting for some creek stomping with my toddler. The sign at the entrance includes “PLAYING IN OR AROUND THE RIVER IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. DOING SO WILL BE AT YOUR OWN RISK.” Still, we found a quiet section a little downstream to get our feet wet, but it’s nothing like the creeks I’ve seen at Paris Mountain or Campbell’s Covered Bridge.