Greenville is the county seat of Greenville County, with a population of 70,720 as of the 2020 census. Technically, it is the anchor city of the Upstate, a combined statistical area. Many companies call the city home, including Michelin, Prisma Health, and Duke Energy. "Forbes" magazine awarded the city "The South's Most 'Tasteful' Small Town" in 2020.
Initially, the area belonged to the Cherokee and was their ancestral hunting ground. When an Irish settler named Richard Pearis arrived, he contacted them, established trading relations, and had a child with a Cherokee woman. Afterward, Pearis received 100,000 acres from the Cherokee around 1770. He sided with the loyalists during the American Revolution and was jailed.
Some claim the county was named after its appearance, but others claim its name is from General Nathanael Greene. On December 20, 1860, Greenville voted to secede from the union, but it saw no action until 1865. Development boomed during the reconstruction era in the 1870s. During this time, Southern Bell installed the city's first telephone lines.
Once World War I was underway, Greenville became an army recruit training ground. The city expanded, seeing the construction of new movie theaters and department stores. In 1925, The Mansion House was replaced with the Poinsett Hotel. Officials established the Greenville Army Air Base in 1942 during World War II's chaos.
Campgrounds Near Greenville, South Carolina
Rarely do you find a 1,540-acre park next to a downtown hub, but there is one at Paris Mountain State Park. It is four miles north of Greenville and has plenty of semi-developed campsites. Some sites have tent pads, and others are paved. Additionally, there are playgrounds, ballparks, and hiking trails.
Rainbow RV Park is popular with seniors, some of whom live there full-time, and seasonal workers who are going to be staying awhile. However, daily rates are available. Rates start at $38 per day or $270 per month, and the site has been in operation since 1947. Today, there are 100 sites, with back-in and pull-through options. Located in the nearby town of Taylors, Rainbow RV Park is just 15 minutes away from Greenville.
Springwood RV Park is tucked away off Interstate 85 and is an ideal overnight spot. Daily rates start at $40, weekly rates at $200, and monthly rates at $350. It is about 10 miles from downtown, and the facility has a dog park and 30- and 50-amp hookups.
State Parks Near Greenville, South Carolina
Paris Mountain State Park is a mere 7.6-mile trip north of Greenville. Park visitors can fish in Lake Placid and catch bass, bream, and catfish or take a two-mile hike to Reservoir #3. Canoe and Kayak rentals are available each weekend during the spring and fall. Typically, the park receives five to nine days of rain each month. Summer temperatures vary from 67 F to 89 F.
Bird watchers can spy wildfowl, including hawks, woodpeckers, and evening owls. Bikers and hikers can enjoy travailing over the park's 15-mile trail network. Plus, geocachers can search for hidden treasures on the park's grounds.
Table Rock State Park is 27 miles northeast of Greenville and is home to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The park encircles 3,000 acres and houses the state's tallest peak. Pinnacle Mountain stretches into the sky and reaches 3,415 feet in elevation. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the park, and many structures still stand. Music on the Mountain hosts a monthly bluegrass jam session, so music lovers should check it out. There are a ton of hiking trails of varying difficulties to choose from.
Sadlers Creek State Park is 46 miles southwest of Greenville on the shores of Lake Hartwell. This park spreads along the entire peninsula and extends into the lake, making a fantastic beach that is perfect for swimming. Giant trees cover the park, so shady areas have trails and recreational facilities. Springtime temperatures fluctuate from highs in the mid-80s to lows in the mid-40s F. Summertime temperatures go up into the 90s F. Hikers and mountain bikers can take the six-mile-long trail through the park for a challenge. There are two boat ramps for anglers who want to catch largemouth bass, bream, catfish, and smallmouth bass.
National Sites Near Greenville, South Carolina
Ninety-Six National Historic Site is just 60 miles south of Greenville. It preserves the site of an original town established in the 1700s. In addition, the city was a strategic point for British forces during the Revolutionary War. Today's visitors can explore the original Star Fort used by the British to defend the area. Take the Historic Interpretive Trail to walk past the stockade fort and siege works. Each landmark has educational details, and the path is only one mile long in addition to being ADA-accessible.
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail is 70 miles northeast of Greenville. After declaring independence, American patriots walked over the mountains in 1780 to stop the British from taking Charleston. This trail traces their initial route, snaking through 330 miles and four states. In the end, you can see Kings Mountain where the patriot militia defeated the British.
Take a trip from Greenville to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which traces 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina. This National Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Within Shenandoah National Park, the road continues on and is known as Skyline Drive, offering sweeping views as it leads visitors past historic sites and trailheads along the park for 105 miles. To learn more about this All-American Road, stop by the visitor's center just outside of Asheville, North Carolina. There is no fee for driving along the parkway, and several campgrounds along the way offer opportunities to extend your trip with an overnight stay.
National Forests Near Greenville, South Carolina
Sumter National Forest is 55 miles southwest of Greenville in Whitmire, South Carolina. It comprises three distinct ranger districts, which are not contiguous. Overall, it covers a 371,000-acre expanse. The Long Cane Ranger District contains the popular Forks Area Trail System. Hit Opossum Creek Falls Trail and enjoy a 5.4-mile hike with access to a stunning waterfall at the end. If you decide to bring a dog, be sure to keep it leashed at all times, and you'll have to clean up after it.
Pisgah National Forest is 48 miles northwest of Greenville and is over 500,000 acres. Pisgah's claim to fame is that it belongs to the first land purchase used for national forests in the eastern U.S. Furthermore, it is the site of the nation's first school of forestry, which is now a historical site. Looking Glass Rock Trail travels 6.1 miles throughout the picturesque forest. Also, there are beautiful wildflowers in spring.
Nantahala National Forest is 60 miles northwest of Greenville. It composes of 530,000 acres of land in southwestern North Carolina near Bryson City. Initially, it was created in 1920 and is managed via three ranger districts over six counties. Visiting families can enjoy camping, fishing, white-water rafting, and hiking on 600 miles of trails within the forest.
Pet Friendly RV Rentals in Greenville
If you want to take your pets camping, rest assured that pet-loving Greenville, NC, won't disappoint! The city is home to more than 140 dog-friendly restaurants, and it also hosts "pawsome" pet-centric events all throughout the year, like monthly Yappy Hours at NOMA Square and the Tails and Trails 5K run/walk in the spring. Check out the many cat and dog-friendly RV rentals on RVshare and get ready to have a fantastic time RVing with pets in Greenville.
There are a few basics to take care of before heading out on your trip. Make sure your pet's flea and tick medications are up to date. If your pet is overdue for a checkup, take them to the vet to make sure that they're in good shape to head out on the road. Bring documents with you in the RV, including vaccination papers, ID tags and your current pet license. It's also a smart idea to bring along a pet emergency kit to deal with unexpected emergencies. You'll also want to bring along your pet's bedding, crate, toys, and anything else that might help them feel at home on the road.
