Inside: A local mom reviews the River Birch Trail in Spartanburg, SC, with kids!
Originally built in 1981, the River Birch Trail in Spartanburg, SC has undergone major revitalization in recent years! Most recently, the trail was expanded to now stretch about 2 miles one direction, all along the scenic banks of Lawson’s Fork Creek. Kidding Around’s Sarah Burnett reviews this trail for all you prospective hikers out there to consider!
There’s nothing quite like going for a walk with your kids. There’s just something about getting outside, casting eyes over trees and sky, and moving all together in the same direction. It’s a breath of fresh air, both literally and figuratively!
But it can be tough to find routes that work well for parents with kids and are, shall we say, a bit more “scenic” than sidewalks wrapping around playgrounds… Not knocking those, we genuinely love them! But I have to admit my pleasant surprise when I was first introduced to the paved 2-mile River Birch Trail. A family member introduced us to this trail over the holidays last year (gotta love that post-turkey trot!) and I have found myself returning to it again and again.
Quick Summary: River Birch Trail
This 2-mile paved trail winds along Lawson’s Fork Creek, with bridges, bamboo forests, and even a hidden waterfall at White’s Mill Dam. Perfect for strollers, bikes, and little explorers! 🚲👣
📍 Access points:
🚗 McCracken Middle School
🌮 Willy Taco (midway point!)
💦 White’s Mill Dam
Watch! What We Saw on The River Birch Trail
Finding the River Birch Trail
This trail has multiple convenient access points, including McCracken Middle School at one end, Willy Taco around the halfway point, and White’s Mill Dam at the other end. Our family’s go-to starting place is the designated parking lot off Sydnor Road behind McCracken Middle School. We’ve never had an issue getting a parking spot there, and there is a paved path down a short hill that puts you right on the trail.
If you are a more regular hiker, you may also know or be interested to learn that the River Birch Trail connects at both ends to other segments of the larger Daniel Morgan Trail System. If you want to extend your hike, consider starting out on the more natural Cottonwood Trail at the Edwin M. Nature Preserve entrance, which will add roughly another 2 miles and connect with the River Birch trailhead at Sydnor Road. You can also add 2 miles coming at the River Birch Trail from the other direction if you start out at the Mary Black Campus of Spartanburg Medical Center and follow the Drayton Mills Trails down to Heywood Avenue.
Accessibility and Challenge Level
The length of the trail is comparable to the Mary Black Rail Trail, stretching about 2 miles one-way. Walking with 3 little ones, it typically takes us about 1.5 hours to walk out and back. If I’m generous with stops to play, we can add in quite a bit more time, though, so know your children’s expectations well before you set out with them!
The entire trail is wide enough for several people to walk side by side, and the trail is paved the whole way through—the only exceptions being one aluminum bridge and one boardwalk where the trail crosses over Lawson’s Fork Creek.
It is also mostly level with only a few very low-grade hills. The steepest hill is just the short one coming down from the parking lot behind McCracken, which always makes for a small final challenge on our return journey! I will say, though, I think the hill to access the trail from Willy Taco might even be a bit steeper!
The width of the trail, smooth surfacing, and easy inclines make it absolutely inclusive for strollers, wheelchairs, and cyclists. If you have walked the completely level Mary Black Rail Trail and want something just as accessible but the teensiest bit more challenging, the River Birch Trail is definitely an excellent next option for your family!
Highlights on the Trail
The entire River Birch Trail follows alongside Lawson’s Fork Creek, and I just love the nonstop view of the gently moving water. The landscape rises on either side of the creek, which means this trail is nestled for the most part between wooded hills on either side.
Each time we go, I look for some new plantlife to identify, and some of our favorites so far are the bamboo forest on the far side of the creek and the oriental paperbush flowers which bloom in early spring.
There are some interesting man-made additions to the view along the River Birch Trail, too. We’ve spotted at least 3 birdhouses which were hand-painted and installed by a local Girl Scout Troop, and one absolutely hilarious sign near White’s Mill Dam!
There are also sections of the trail that pass through more residential areas, and we’ve found a few favorite houses with pretty architecture and had fun trying to identify a few commercial buildings we’ve seen through the trees.
The water and hills regulate the temperature along the trail, making it feel just a bit milder. I remember going once on a windy winter day, and though we could see the treetops swaying overhead, we could hardly feel it ourselves, shielded as we were by the landscape. Add in the dappled shade in summer, and you are sure to get some relief from the heat!
Our family’s absolute favorite spot on the River Birch Trail, though, has to be White’s Mill Dam. This special spot is pretty close to the trailhead at Heywood Avenue, so it’s a welcome break about halfway into our out-and-back hike. There’s a small sandy area with a bench, where my kids love to get dirty and play… One of these days, maybe I’ll even remember to bring sand toys! But what I love about this place is just the water falling over the dam. It looks and sounds so serene.
Safety Considerations
If visiting the River Birch Trail with children, always be mindful of the need for safety around the water. There are several bridges overlooking the water, and a few places where the bank drops off steeply next to the path. Always keep a close watch on your kids, and talk to those who are old enough to understand about the importance of being careful along the creek.
Keep in mind that the River Birch Trail is somewhat secluded, being a more nature-oriented trail. There are some views of residential housing and the backs of commercial buildings, with a few places to come on or off the trail, but there are significant sections where you may be more isolated.
Our family has tended to walk this trail on weekday mornings or weekend afternoons, and we have always run into several friendly people on the trail. Even so, you might prefer to use the buddy system or plan to walk with another family as an added safety measure.
It is important to note that the River Birch Trail also suffered significant storm damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024. At the time of this writing, the path itself has been cleared and is in good condition, but there is still some safety fencing down and debris from fallen trees and branches visible along most of the trail.
Partners for Active Living (PAL) actively maintains the River Birch Trail and others in Spartanburg County, so if you would like to be involved in the clean-up effort, please consider reaching out to them for volunteer opportunities!
Find lots more FREE Things to Do in Spartanburg, SC.
