Let’s Explore the BEST Off Campus Nature Spots

Enough with the study hacks, let’s have some fun! Whether you enjoy walking, running, or biking, the surrounding areas of Furman have SO much to offer for all your outdoor needs. On the weekends, Furman students love to take advantage of the beautiful mountains and land surrounding campus, including biking, hiking, and more. Today I am going to introduce and take you to the most visited off-campus nature spots! 

Close to Home 

Looking for somewhere close to campus to go on a nice walk or bike ride? Look no further than the Swamp Rabbit Trail. This walking and biking path runs from Travelers Rest all the way to downtown Greenville. There is a connection right on the Furman lake, so getting connected to it is so easy. My friends and I love to take nice walks around the lake and to the trail or even ride our bikes to Travelers Rest for a fun lunch outing. Another very relaxing and enjoyable walk is down at Fall Park on Reedy River in downtown Greenville. The falls and cable bridge make for a beautiful city nature spot. 

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Scenic Adventures 

An annual or semester tradition for a lot of Furman students is to visit either Bald Rock or Pretty Place. If you ask any Furman student about one of these places, they will most likely rave about how spectacular the views are at sunrise and sunset. Both places are located only 30 minutes from campus and are well worth the views and adventure. Nothing beats getting Sidewall Pizza to go and taking it up to enjoy at sunset at Bald Rock, a rocky mountain side covered in fun graffiti art. Pretty Place, a part of YMCA Camp Greenville, is a beautiful outdoor chapel located on the mountain side, overlooking one of the best views of the mountains surrounding Greenville. Not only do these places represent beauty, but they also represent heart-warming memories with Furman friends. 

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Hiking Galore 

If you enjoy hiking as much as my friends and I do then you will love the mountains surrounding Furman’s campus. Four state parks are located 30 minutes or less from campus, making it so easy to explore on the weekends. I personally have been to Paris Mountain State Park and Caesars Head State Park. Most of the trails in these parks are open to both hikers and mountain bikers. All of these parks are so different and full of beautiful trees, waterfalls, and more. Below are the links and distances from Furman! 

• Paris Mountain State Park — 15 minutes 
• Table Rock State Park — 30 minutes 
• Jones Gap State Park — 30 minutes 
• Caesars Head State Park — 40 minutes 

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I hope you enjoyed your brief tour of the most visited off-campus nature spots Furman students love to explore! And as just a note, there are even MORE places to explore as Furman is located close to North Carolina and Tennessee! If you have any questions about how students get out and about on the weekends and explore the beautiful outdoors, let me know! Additionally you can check out the Furman University Outdoors Club instagram (@furmanuniversityoutdoors) for more adventures and activities! 

Instagram: @libbyymulligann //  Email: libby.mulligan@furman.edu