Table Rock – Pickens County, South Carolina

Long before this area of the Blue Ridge Mountains became Table Rock State Park, it was inhabited by the Cherokee Indians who referred to it as Sah-ka-na-ga, which translates as the “Great Blue Hills of God.” It is here at beautiful Table Rock that the Cherokee believed their god sat down to feast, using the rocky mountain ledge as his table.

In 1785, the Hopewell Treaty was signed by the Cherokee Indians and the United States government; this treaty laid out boundaries for white settlers who wanted to live near Table Rock. Soon after, the small village of Pumpkintown was formed.

Table Rock State Park spans over 3,000 acres which have been either donated or purchased from Pickens County and private citizens so that all South Carolinians can enjoy its beauty. Table Rock State Park boasts two lakes, a campground, meeting facilities, and an historic lodge (pictured below), most which were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. These structures are listed in the National Historic Register.

The park has one of our state’s first nature education programs and serves as a trail head for the 80-mile long Foothills Trail through the Blue Ridge Escarpment. The most popular trail in the park is of course the one that leads to the top of Table Rock Mountain itself.

Check out the Table Rock webcam.