Some of the best hiking options near Spartanburg include the Cottonwood Trail, Croft State Park, River Birch Trail (part of “The Dan”), and Duncan Park, all offering easy access to woods, water, and wildlife.
Close-to-town nature walks
Cottonwood Trail at Edwin Griffin Nature Preserve provides over 4–5 miles of natural-surface paths and boardwalks through a 115+ acre urban preserve along Lawson’s Fork Creek, with wetlands, wildlife viewing, and peaceful forest stretches just minutes from downtown.
River Birch Trail is a newer segment of the Daniel Morgan Trail System that follows Lawson’s Fork Creek under a tree canopy, connecting neighborhoods to the Drayton Mills area for a scenic walk or run.
Larger park and lake hikes
Croft State Park, less than 10 miles from Spartanburg, has more than 12 miles of marked hiking and biking trails within a 7,000-acre former Army training base, including the long Palmetto Trail segment, creekside routes, and access to Lake Craig for fishing and paddling.
Duncan Park offers about a mile of hiking plus roughly 6 miles of mainly mountain-biking trails, leading to a 14-acre lake with a dock and seasonal kayak rentals, making it good for shorter walks with water views.
Easy family-friendly options
Cottonwood Trail’s mostly gentle grades and boardwalk sections make it suitable for families, birdwatching, and casual nature walks, with several access points on Spartanburg’s east side.
Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park (Boiling Springs) and Tyger River Park (Duncan) feature paved loop trails with some connections into wooded paths and fitness stations, ideal for strollers or low-impact walks.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.spartanburgconservation.org/cottonwood-trail)
[2](https://livability.com/sc/spartanburg/experiences-adventures/8-must-visit-trails-in-spartanburg-sc)
[3](https://southcarolinaparks.com/croft)
[4](https://discoversouthcarolina.com/articles/spartanburgs-cottonwood-trail-is-a-popular-destination-to-hike-bike-and-enjoy-nature)
[5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk_mX2_cE10)
