Looking to explore the Jocassee Gorges area with your family? There are opportunities for families to enjoy the outdoors all over the Jocassee Gorges area. In addition to the swimming, boating and hiking you’ll find at area state parks, you’ll also find great hiking along the Jocassee Gorges portion of the Palmetto Trail called the Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage.
Jocassee Gorges is a spectacularly beautiful area. National Geographic named this area one of the “50 of the Last Great Places” and the South Carolina 7 Expedition has given it the title of the 2nd Wonder of South Carolina. It’s one of the top beautiful places to see in South Carolina. To help you get out and see this beautiful part of South Carolina, we have details on hiking the Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage, plus some opportunities to enjoy the Jocassee area if hiking is not your cup of tea.
Hike the Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage in Jocassee Gorges
The Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage of the Palmetto Trail is a 12+ mile passage. Families can experience the wilderness of the trail by walking only a portion of the trail going down and back as KAG contributor, Liene, did with her family in the video below.
You can find out about the hike along the Blue Ridge Electric Co-op Passage in this video made by Liene, as she hiked this portion of the Palmetto Trail for the South Carolina 7 Expedition. In this video you’ll find:
- Information on hiking the Blue Ridge Electric Co-op Passage
- Sights and sounds of the trail
- Animals you might see
- Where to find the trailhead and parking
FAQ Hiking the Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage of the Palmetto Trail
KAG’s Liene answers questions about hiking this passage of the Palmetto Trail.
What’s the name of the hike/trail? Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage of Palmetto Trail
What age group can accomplish this hike? The whole thing is hard, but any age can do an in-and-out from Table Rock because you can tailor the length to your family
How difficult is this hike? Length & terrain moderate to difficult
How long did this hike take your family? 3 hours to hike 5 miles of it
What things should people look for on the hike or in the area? Wildflowers, animals. A family saw a momma bear and cubs on the way in!
What was the best part about the hike? or What makes this hike unique? The Jocassee Gorges are remote and rugged areas, with an abundance of native flowers and wildlife, mountaintop vistas, waterfalls, and an impressive
boulder field. According to Native American legend, Jocassee means “Place of the Lost One,” and the Jocassee Gorges were named “One of the Last Great Places” by National Geographic.
Address for the trailhead? What do people need to know about getting there? The passage begins at Pinnacle Pavilion (“The Barn”) in Table Rock State Park and travels through the Wesleyan Camp into the Jocassee
Gorges. There is a fee to enter Table Rock State Park.
Enjoy the Jocassee Area Without Hiking
Want to explore Jocassee without a long hike? There are two state parks nearby where you can swim, wade, creek stomp and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.
Visit Table Rock State Park for swimming in Pinnacle Lake or wading at the Carrick Creek trail waterfall.
Or, head to Devils Fork State Park on Lake Jocassee for swimming or boating in the beautiful, crystal-clear lake.
Looking for a guide to the area? Check out this Kids Kayak Clinic from Jocassee Wild Child, or this Family Adventure with Jocassee Wild Child.
Looking for more places to hit the trail?
