Outdoor Activities

Named for the rock formation at the top of the mountain, Caesars Head is a great place to fish, hike or simply gaze over the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. One of the most popular trails in the park, Raven Cliff Falls trail, leads hikers to a suspension bridge with spectacular views of the falls.

Don’t let the name deter you. Devils Fork is pure heaven for hikers, kayakers and fishermen. It offers the only public access point to Lake Jocassee, which offers fishing for brown trout, rainbow trout, white bass, small-mouth bass, large-mouth bass, bluegill and black crappie. The lake’s water is unusually clear, making it the perfect spot for scuba divers and snorkelers.

If you’re interested in fishing, this is the park for you. The Middle Saluda, South Carolina’s first designated scenic river, runs through the park and offers some of the best trout fishing in the state. There’s even a hands-on ecology lab in the park. For hikers, trails connect to Caesars Head State Park and the 100-foot

Be sure to visit this park in November when a living history demonstration is held in the park’s replica of an 1800s farm. No matter what time of year, you can enjoy the park’s hiking and nature trails.

Less than five minutes from campus, Paris Mountain is a popular destination for our students. The park offers swimming, paddle boat rentals, biking, camping, fishing, bird watching, and more.

Got seven hours to kill? Hike to the top of Table Rock. At 3,124 feet, Table Rock offers views from one of the highest points in South Carolina. Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit. The park’s swimming area has a high-dive board and a sandy beach. It’s the perfect way to relax after your hike.

One of the upstate’s ​unwritten rules is that you can’t leave without taking at least one whitewater rafting trip. Four rivers—the Chattooga, French Broad, Nantahala, and Pigeon—are less than two hours from Furman, making them great weekend trips for whitewater rafting.

Lake Hartwell is a mere hour from campus. It’s the perfect place to rent a boat and spend a day on the water. You can fish, sail, waterski, or simply catch some rays.

For every whitewater rapid in South Carolina, there’s a lazy river where you can calmly paddle your way downstream. Rent a boat or kayak from a local marina, or check one out from the Furman University Outdoor Club.