You might have been to see Issaqueena Falls and the Stumphouse Tunnel, but did you know that there are miles and miles of bike trails in the park as well? Local mom, Liene, enjoys taking her family there because she can hike with her youngest children while the older boys enjoy the mountain bike trails. Read all about one of the newest Upstate bike parks and learn how you can enjoy the park for yourself!
Stumphouse Park gets busy on weekends! It is home to the unfinished Stumphouse Tunnel that was dug using hand tools prior to the Civil War, as well as the well-known Issaqueena Falls. There is also the Blue Ridge Railroad hiking trail, a moderate hike to two more abandoned rail tunnels. However, the highlight of the 440-acre park might be the least-crowded – Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park.
Looking for more places to mountain bike in Upstate, SC?
Here’s a huge list of great places for mountain biking with the kids in Greenville, Spartanburg and all over Upstate, SC.
Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park: Quick Facts
- Address: 150 Stumphouse Tunnel Road, Walhalla, SC 29691
- Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk – 8 am–8 pm in spring and summer, 8 am–6 pm in fall and winter
- Cost: $5 per vehicle, $15 for buses and larger vehicles; annual passes are $50 (Oconee County residents) or $60 (non-residents)
- Trails: 23.42 miles of mapped trails, including multi-use mountain biking trails, bike-only flow and jump trails, an adaptive mountain biking trail, a pump track and hiking-only trails
- Good to know: Helmets are required, leashed dogs and pedal-assist e-bikes are welcome, and there’s no drinking water on the trails
- Trail status: Check the park’s Facebook page – the trails close after heavy rain
- Contact: stumphouse@walhallapd.org | stumphousepark.com
About the Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park
The main entrance for the Mountain Bike Park is also the trailhead for the Stumphouse Passage of the Palmetto Trail. The nearly-continuous network of trails stretches from Oconee State Park in the Upstate Foothills to the Intracoastal Waterway. Ground was broken on its first passage in 1994, and the Palmetto Trail describes itself as South Carolina’s largest trail project and the state’s only cross-state trail. Today just over 400 miles of the trail have been completed, including the Stumphouse Passage.
From the trailhead, the Stumphouse Passage follows Cane Creek past the Walhalla Reservoir for 1.5 miles. The 4.9-mile Ross Mountain Passage now connects Stumphouse Park with Oconee State Park, and the Stumphouse Passage also gives you access to the park’s bike trail network. The park’s trail information page lists 23.42 miles of mapped trails inside the park, including 14.62 miles of multi-use mountain biking trails, 4.65 miles of bike-only flow and jump trails, and a 1.41-mile adaptive mountain biking trail.
The Park is bordered by the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of Sumter National Forest, and there is an entry fee of $5 per vehicle and $15 for buses and larger vehicles. Annual passes are $50 for Oconee County residents and $60 for non-residents, and other county or state park passes aren’t valid at Stumphouse Park. For parking, follow signs for the Palmetto Trail trailhead, where you will also find picnic tables and restroom facilities. There is no water available once you’re on the trails, so pack in/pack out.
On our most recent visit, I hiked the Palmetto Trail with my youngest in a carrier, while the six-year-old rode his bike; there were some sections that he had to dismount and push his bike up, but not many. Meanwhile, the two older boys set off with their dad to explore the rest of the mountain bike trails. They gave rave reviews, and in terms of technical difficulty only the 0.68 mile one-way, black diamond trail was too challenging.
Things to do before hiking/biking Stumphouse Park
Check trail conditions on the Stumphouse Park Facebook page or at stumphousepark.com before you go – the park says Facebook is the most accurate place for trail conditions, and the bike trails close after heavy rain. Conditions on the trails can change with just a little bit of weather, so checking ahead is always a good idea.
Review your mountain bike etiquette and discuss with your children. Mountain bikers must yield to hikers, and on descent yield to uphill traffic.
Download a Stumphouse Park map (or print out a paper copy), available here.
Heads up if you park at the Ross Mountain Road lot: the park says bikes and other wheeled devices aren’t allowed in the neighboring SCDNR Heritage Preserve, so don’t ride the gravel road that leads to the preserve from Ross Mountain Road. SCDNR is issuing fines to people who access the bike trails from that entrance.
For additional information, email stumphouse@walhallapd.org or info@stumphousepark.com.
If you still haven’t gotten your fill after the three-mile roundtrip hike, drive to nearby Yellow Branch Falls on the other side of Highway 28. The moderate 3-mile hike leads to a beautiful 50-ft cascade.
One of our favorite areas in the state, whatever mode of transportation you might choose – bicycle or foot – you’ll find adventure at Stumphouse Park!
Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park FAQ
How many miles of trails are at Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park?
The park’s trail information page lists 23.42 miles of mapped trails within the park, including 14.62 miles of multi-use mountain biking trails, 4.65 miles of bike-only flow and jump trails and a 1.41-mile adaptive mountain biking trail. That total doesn’t include connecting routes like the Ross Mountain Passage of the Palmetto Trail.
How much does it cost to visit Stumphouse Park?
Entry is $5 per vehicle and $15 for buses and larger vehicles. Annual passes are $50 for Oconee County residents and $60 for non-residents; other county or state park passes aren’t valid at Stumphouse Park.
What are the park hours?
The park is open daily from dawn to dusk – 8am to 8pm in spring and summer and 8am to 6pm in fall and winter.
Do you have to wear a helmet?
Yes. The park’s FAQ says to always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.
Can I bring my dog or an e-bike?
Yes. Dogs are welcome on a leash, and pedal-assist or electric bikes are allowed. Motorized vehicles like dirt bikes and ATVs are not.
How do I find out if the trails are open?
The park says its Facebook page is the most accurate place for trail conditions. The bike trails close after heavy rain.
For more information about Stumphouse Park, check out the Visit Oconee website.
See Liene’s original post on her blog, Femme au Foyer.