1. Table Rock
Located in Pickens County, SC, Table Rock State Park is one of the best public parks in the southeast. It's located at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range and is home of Pinnacle Mountain, the tallest mountain that is fully located in South Carolina. The hike is difficult, but the view at the top of the 3,124 ft. summit is incredibly worth it.
2. Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock State Park is located in Chimney Rock, NC, about 25 miles from Asheville. The trail is man made, and most of it has wooden stairs that make the hike significantly easier. The elevation of Chimney Rock is 2,880 ft, but there are a few summits above Chimney Rock as well. Whichever one you end up at, the view is beautiful.
3. Max Patch
Max Patch is a bald mountain that is located right on the North Carolina-Tennessee border. Its summit is located in North Carolina, but Max Patch serves as a huge landmark for the Tennessee/North Carolina portion of the Appalachian Trail. Its a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and summits at 4,616 ft.
4. Pisgah National Forest
Located in western North Carolina, Pisgah National Forest is part of the Appalachian Mountains. It is home to many beautiful lakes and waterfalls, and has a lot more basic trails for those less accustomed to hiking without losing any of the beautiful views.
5. Mount Mitchell
Mount Mitchell State Park is located in Yancy County, North Carolina. It is actually the first state park within North Carolina, and helped establish the North Carolina State Parks System in 1915. Mount Mitchell summits at 6,366 ft, and the view is definitely worth the strenuous hike.
6. Dupont State Forest
Located in Cedar Mountain, North Carolina, Dupont State Forest is home to many different trails and waterfalls. Stone Mountain, the summit of Dupont, sits at 3,600 ft. The entire forest is 10,473 acres and every inch is a sight to behold.
7. Tallulah Gorge
Tallulah Gorge State Park is located in Tallulah Falls, Georgia. While this isn't exactly a hike, it is still a one of a kind experience with nature. The 2,689 acre state park surrounds Tallulah Gorge, which is 1,000 ft deep and was formed by the Tallulah River. At certain times during the year, you can get a permit to explore the floor of the gorge if the water is shallow enough. However, even just walking the (seemingly millions) of stairs down to see the gorge is worth the trip.
8. Raven Cliff Falls
Located in Helen, Georgia, Raven Cliff Falls is a difficult yet incredibly rewarding hike. There are many waterfalls along the trail, and a handful of them flow together at the summit to form one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen.
9. Oconee State Park
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountain region of South Carolina, Oconee State Park has many trails that conclude the Foothills Trail, which begins at Table Rock State Park. The Foothills Access Trail at Oconee offers access to 28 miles of the actual Foothills Trail.
10. Devil's Fork
Located in northwestern South Carolina, Devil's Fork State Park is on the eastern edge of Sumter National Forest and Lake Jocassee. It is right off of the Cherokee Scenic Highway and offers different trails and hikes that surround the 7,500 acres of Lake Jocassee. The trails are relatively simple, but the scenery is just as magnificent.
Any of these hikes, trails, and state parks are guaranteed to give you memories and scenery you'll never forget.
