Mountain biking with kids in Upstate SC

Greenville has made headlines and received national recognition for the Swamp Rabbit Trail, but did you know the Upstate is also well-known for its mountain biking? With a dozen parks to choose from, there are options for all skill levels. We recently set out to compile a list of the best places to get some dirt under your tires! This article was originally published on the local family website, Kidding Around Greenville.

My family has recently explored a few Upstate bike parks and trails with the goal of finding some new favorites; having ridden the same local trails numerous times, the boys were getting bored. As parents, we also felt that reaching out beyond the familiar would boost their skill levels by giving them a bit of a challenge. That being said, we have one little that still needs a bit more experience before being set loose on his own, and a newborn – which means mom is hiking along more often than she’s on two wheels. With all those factors in mind I set out to put together a list of places to go mountain biking with kids in the Upstate.

A factor that comes into play when we are choosing a park is whether there is an admission fee. If we are headed out for a quick bike ride, I would rather go to a free course – and save the parks with admission for a time we can spend the whole day there. I also pay attention to the difficulty level listed; for this article difficulty ratings listed as according to MTB Project. Remember: always wear a helmet, ride within your ability, follow the local regulations, and respect trail and park closures. 

Greenville county

Sliding Rock Creek Trail: this mile of mountain bike trail is just off the Swamp Rabbit Trail, providing some urban trail that gives you the “out in the woods” feels. 

Entrance fee: none
View trail map here. 
Difficulty level: easy to intermediate

Riverbend Equestrian Park: 74 acres with numerous natural-surface trails are open to mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding at this county park.
Entrance fee: none
Difficulty level: easy to intermediate
Website here. 

Pleasant Ridge County Park: Over 6-miles of trail are located in this former state park that is located just off scenic Highway 11 in Cleveland.
Entrance fee: none
Download map here. 
Difficulty level: mostly intermediate, with a few sections of easy and difficult 

For more information on the park, please read my post Pleasant Ridge Falls.

Spartanburg

The brand-new Vic Bailey Subaru Bike Park is located off the Mary Black Rail Trail near South Pine Street. The park has features for bikers of all skill levels including a pump track, dirt jump area, a boulder garden and a perimeter trail.  
Entrance fee: none
View map here. 
Difficulty level: easy to difficult

Duncan Park Bike Trails: Six miles of trail in the woods of Duncan Park feature plenty of jumps and pump turns.
Entrance fee: none
Difficulty level: easy to intermediate
Website here. 

Edwin M. Griffin Nature Preserve/Cottonwood Trail: This 116-acre urban preserve and trail system is located minutes from downtown Spartanburg.
Entrance fee: none
Difficulty level: easy to intermediate
Website here. 

Holston Creek Bike Park: The park is located in Inman and is managed by the Spartanburg County Parks Department. In addition to the mountain bike course, the park also has a disc golf course and a playground.
Entrance fee: none
Download map here.
Difficulty level: intermediate

The South Carolina State Parks

Paris Mountain State Park: The Paris Mountain trails were the first trails my boys went mountain biking on! With 15 miles of hiking/biking trails in the park, there are sections appropriate for all skill levels. Please note that that biking is not allowed on any of the trails on Saturdays.
Entrance fee: yes
Download a trail map here.
Difficulty level: easy to difficult
For more information on the park, please read my post Paris Mountain State Park.

Croft State Park: Bike one or all of the more than 20 miles of mountain biking trails in the park! The multi-use Croft Passage of the Palmetto Trail is also located within the park, but be advised that the bridge near the southern terminus washed out in February and has yet to be replaced.
Entrance fee: yes
Download a trail map here.
Difficulty level: mostly intermediate with a few difficult trails mixed in.
For more information on the park, please read my post Croft State Park.

Sadlers Creek State Park: The loop bike trail is 6 miles long with a trail rating of easy. Its location near I-85 makes this an appealing choice for residents of Anderson.
Admission fee: yes
Download a trail map here. 
Difficulty level: easy

Palmetto Trail 

Stumphouse Mountain Passage and Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park: The 1.5-mile passage of the Palmetto Trail is a multi-use connector that serves as the gateway to the 10+ miles of mountain bike trail within Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park.
Entrance fee: yes
Download a trail map here. 
Difficulty level – intermediate to difficult
An article on Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park here.

Oconee Passage: From Oconee State Park to Oconee Station State Historical Site, the passage drops about 1,000 feet for a challenging, one-way descent from ridgeline to cove.
Entrance fee: Oconee SP yes, none at Oconee Station SHS
Download a trail map here. 
Difficulty level – intermediate/difficult

Croft Passage: The 12.6-mile Croft Passage is shared by hikers, cyclists and equestrians! Please be advised that the bridge near the southern terminus washed out in February and has yet to be replaced.
Entrance fee: yes
Download a trail map here. 
Difficulty level: difficult

Blackstock Battlefield Passage: Four miles of nature trails, camping, and first-rate mountain biking along a remote section of the Tyger River where Revolutionary War patriots defeated the British.
Entrance fee: none
Download map here.
Difficulty level: intermediate/difficult

Enoree Passage: The 36-mile Passage along with the numerous trails on the Enoree Ranger District of Sumter National Forest provide extensive opportunity to experience biking on natural surfaces.
Entrance fee: none
Download Enoree Passage maps here.
View additional Sumter National Forest maps here. 
Difficulty level: easy to intermediate

For the full Femme au Foyer guide to the Palmetto Trail, click here!

More trails and bike parks!

Town Creek Bike Park: This is a local favorite! With everything from a pump track, dirt jumps, wall climbs, rollers and singletrack, the park also has a multi-use paved trail that is great for the little ones to ride while their older siblings are on the mountain bike trails. Signed waiver required.
Entrance fee: none
View map here and read more about Town Creek here. 
Difficulty level: from easy to difficult 

Bike Skills Flow Park at Gateway Park: Just off the Swamp Rabbit Trail, the bike park at Gateway has a pump track in addition to a technical flow track. The trail progression with the various challenges and terrains are designed to introduce riders to the sport while sharpening their skills. Bonus: littles can play on the playground while older children ride on the course.
Entrance fee: none
Difficulty level: easy to difficult

Central SWU Bike Trails: This brand-new trail system in Central has more than six miles of singletrack tucked into the forest next to Southern Wesleyan University's Central, SC campus. Open to hiking as well as biking, the park is park is open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.
Entrance fee: none
View map here.
Difficulty level: easy to difficult

Clemson Experimental Forest: The trail system is divided into three primary areas: Fant's Grove, Issaqueena/Keowee Heights and Todd's Creek. The trails are a component of a working forest used for teaching, research and extension education for natural resource management while also allowing for recreational use. With dozens of routes to choose from, there is something for everyone.
Entrance fee: none
View maps here. 
Difficulty level: from easy to difficult

Overmountain Victory Trail - Lake Whelchel: This 6.7-mile trail in Gaffney is part of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail which traces the route used by patriot militia during the Kings Mountain campaign of 1780.
Entrance fee: none
View map here.
Difficulty level: easy to difficult

For learning more about individual trails and parks, I have found MTB Project to be a valuable resource. In addition to descriptions and photos of many of the trails, there are also ratings and recommendations to help choose a destination. Another good resource is Bike Upcountry SC. 

What are your favorite places to go mountain biking in the Upstate? Let us know if we missed anything!