Many people are familiar with Table Rock State Park in Pickens, South Carolina. It is a stunning park with miles and miles of trails that lead you into the woods and onto the mountain top! This park is located only a few miles from the various Cliffs Communities and The Reserve at Lake Keowee on scenic Highway 11. If you stop by on a clear day, you will most likely find families picnicking and enjoying the wooded surroundings. On warm days, there are several swimming areas for children (and those still a child at heart) to cool off in! If you care to venture to the top of Table Rock, bring plenty of food and water but also a camera for the stunning views!
But Table Rock is more that all that was just mentioned. It is also full of history. Most of the park cabins and other structures were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, also known as CCC. The buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places! The CCC was formed in 1933 as one of the first New Deal programs of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. CCC was operated under the army’s control and by 1935, over 500,000 men lived and worked with these camps. The work focused primarily on soil conservation and reforestation. In less than 10 years, the CCC built over 800 parks and planted nearly 3 billion trees nationwide! Table Rock State Park was one of those numerous parks. Within the park, the CCC built a dam for Pinnacle Lake, the lodge, shelters, cabins, and many roads and hiking trails. Much of this work is still visible today!
No matter the time of year, Table Rock State Park is always worth the visit. Whether for the history or for the hiking, it is a location sure to be enjoyable!
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