Table Rock – Pickens County, South Carolina

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 believe their god sat on the mountain peaks and used the rocky ledge as his table to feast upon.

The Hopewell Treaty was signed in 1785 between the Cherokee Indians and the United States government which laid out boundaries for white settlers who were interested in living in the area. Soon after the treaty was signed, Pumpkintown was formed by European settlers, and people have continued to live in the Table Rock area ever since.

The state park spans over 3000 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, campgrounds, 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 is one of our state’s first nature education programs, and is 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 which leads to the top of Table Rock Mountain itself.

Check out the Table Rock webcam.