Paris Mountain State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- $6 per adultAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions6-ft leash
- Camping
- 78 campsites
- Official site
- southcarolinaparks.com(864) 244-5565
Official page last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Alert Park NewsPARK ADVISORY Both the swimming area and boat rentals are OPEN for the season! Discover the ease of self-serve kayak rentals at Paris Mountain… (more)
PARK ADVISORY Both the swimming area and boat rentals are OPEN for the season! Discover the ease of self-serve kayak rentals at Paris Mountain State Park brought to you by Whenever Watersports. Located right by Lake Placid, a fully automated rental kiosk makes it simple for both locals and visitors to get out on the lake with just a few taps on your smartphone. Available daily from 8 am - 6 pm. Learn more here!
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 1,542 acres, Paris Mountain State Park lies in Greenville County, about 5 miles southeast of Travelers Rest.
Visitors come for historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing. For overnight stays there are 78 campsites across 2 camping areas (RV sites, tent sites, and group camping).
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | — |
| Office | Fri–Mon | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
| Fri–Mon | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
Official wording
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., daily
9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fri-Mon and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tue-Thu.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 30, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| $6 adults; | $6 · adult |
| $3.75 SC seniors (age 65 & older); | $3.75 · senior |
| $3.50/ child age 6-15; | $3.50 · child |
| Free for children 5 and younger. | Free |
Official wording
$6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors (age 65 & older); $3.50/ child age 6-15; Free for children 5 and younger. This admission includes access to our designated swimming area when it is open.
South Carolina park passes
- ALL Park Passport — $99 Details
From the South Carolina state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- SC State Parks reservation system (reserve.southcarolinaparks.com)
- Phone
- 1-866-345-PARK (7275)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed, with restrictions · leash up to 6 feet
Not allowed in or on: or around cabins.
Pets are not allowed in or around cabins, cabin areas or other lodging facilities. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife. Pets are not allowed in or around cabins, cabin areas or other lodging facilities. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camping Information 39 sites are paved, 13 of which offer tent pads. Each site has individual water and electrical hookups. Some sites accommodate RVs up to 40 feet, others up to 35 feet. The campground is convenient to restroom facilities with hot showers.
Please note: Campers are required to have a vehicle on-site for the duration of their stay and must have appropriate camping equipment such as a tent or a camper vehicle.
Mountain bikes are not allowed in the park and on trails on Saturdays. | 39 | ShowersRVs up to 40 | — |
| Standard Sites with Elec. & Water 39 sites, 13 of these sites are designated tent sites with tent pads. | 39 | Standard Sites with Elec. & WaterShowersRVs up to 40 | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping Information: 39 sites are paved, 13 of which offer tent pads. Each site has individual water and electrical hookups. Some sites accommodate RVs up to 40 feet, others up to 35 feet. The campground is convenient to restroom facilities with hot showers.
Please note: Campers are required to have a vehicle on-site for the duration of their stay and must have appropriate camping equipment such as a tent or a camper vehicle.
Mountain bikes are not allowed in the park and on trails on Saturdays.
Standard Sites with Elec. & Water: 39 sites, 13 of these sites are designated tent sites with tent pads.
Trailside Camping: There are five trailside sites available around the North Lake Trail Loop. Each site can accommodate up to two small tents and five people. These sites are reservable only through the park . Please call 864-244-5565 between 11am and 5pm to reserve these sites.
From the official park page, checked Oct 30, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
Group Lodging: Camp Buckhorn provides lodging for 40 people.
The camp lodge offers a full kitchen with basic cooking and eating utensils, a meeting room, a restroom and shower facilities for men and women.
In addition to the lodge, there are ten primitive cabins (heat available). Each cabin is equipped with two sets of bunk beds.
A centralized, unisex shower facility is located among the cabins. Adjacent to the lodge is the staff quarters.
To make a group camp reservation, contact the park directly.
Note: Rates listed do not include applicable sales tax and nonrefundable reservation costs.
Things to do
FishingCanoeing and kayakingBikingHikingHistoric sites and toursBoatingCampingSwimming
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brissy Ridge Trail | 2.9 mi | — | Length: 2.9 mile loop |
| Time: Approximately 2 hours | — | Moderate to Strenuous | Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail |
| Kanuga Trail | 2 mi | — | Length: 2.0 miles |
| Time: Approximately 1.5 hours | — | Strenuous | Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail |
| Lake Placid Trail | 0.75 mi | — | Length: 0.75 mile loop |
| Time: Approximately 30 minutes | — | Easy | Hiking Trail |
| Mountain Creek Trail | 1.3 mi | — | Length: 1.3 miles |
| Time: Approximately 45 minutes | — | Moderate | Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail |
| North Lake Trail | 1.2 mi | — | Length: 1.2 mile loop |
| Time: Approximately 45 minutes | — | Moderate | Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail |
| Fire Tower Trail | 0.4 mi | — | Length: 0.4 miles |
| Time: Approximately 15 minutes | — | Easy | Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail |
| Pipsissewa Trail | 1 mi | — | Length: 1.0 miles |
| Time: Approximately 45 minutes | — | Strenuous | Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail |
| Sulphur Springs Trail | 3.8 mi | — | Length: 3.8 mile loop |
| Time: Approximately 2.5 hours | — | Strenuous | Hiking Trail |
| Turtle Trail | 0.4 mi | — | Length: 0.4 miles |
| Time: Approximately 15 minutes | — | Easy | Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail |
| Sassafras Trail | 2.3 mi | — | Length: 2.3 mile loop |
| Time: Approximately 1.5 hours | — | Moderate | Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail |
Trail descriptions from the park
All trails at Paris Mountain are open, except the Fire Tower Little Spur Trail. Trails are open to hiking AND mountain biking -- where it applies. Thank you for your patience as we clean up from the recent hurricane.
Brissy Ridge Trail
Length: 2.9 mile loop
Time: Approximately 2 hours
Type: Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Description: From the kiosk near the parking area, begin this steep, strenuous, rocky, rooted, mostly-easy-to-follow, yellow-blazed, foot-traffic-only, loop trail that winds along beautiful hills in the South Carolina upstate. At the top of the first steep slope, branch right at the fork with the Sulphur Springs trail. You will pass through oak and pine woods on the ridges, and Mountain Laurel along the creek areas. After you cross the paved park road, you will climb another steep slope back toward the parking area. You may see deer, squirrels, birds, snakes, and a variety of other wildlife.
Kanuga Trail
Length: 2.0 miles
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours
Type: Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail
Difficulty: Strenuous
Description: To reach this trail you will need to walk or ride a section of the Sulphur Springs-Fire Tower or Brissy Ridge trails. Connections to the Fire Tower, Brissy Ridge, and North Lake trails provide opportunities to vary the length of your walk or ride. You may see deer, squirrels, birds, snakes, and a variety of other wildlife.
Lake Placid Trail
Length: 0.75 mile loop
Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Type: Hiking Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Description: From the picnic shelter, begin this easy-walking, mostly-level, nature-trail loop along the shores of Lake Placid. At the far end of the lake, you will descend and ascend the steep slopes below the dam. You may see squirrels, birds, turtles, snakes and a variety of other wildlife as you walk amid tall trees in the natural habitat. You will circle the lake, cross a boardwalk footbridge, and pass the swimming area before you return to the picnic shelter where you began.
Mountain Creek Trail
Length: 1.3 miles
Time: Approximately 45 minutes
Type: Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: From Picnic Shelter 4, you can go either direction on this moderately difficult dirt trail. If you go to the right you will connect to the Lake Placid Trail, which encircles Lake Placid. You can ride to the lake, but not all the way around it. If you go left you will pass the amphitheatre and continue to a junction with the Sulphur Springs Trail. You can follow a section of the Sulphur Springs trail, but only to Mountain Lake.
North Lake Trail
Length: 1.2 mile loop
Time: Approximately 45 minutes
Type: Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: You will need to walk or ride on the Kanuga or Pipsissewa trails to get to North Lake. Once you are there you can enjoy the view as you circle the lake and then return the way you came, or vary your walk or ride by returning on the other trail. You may see deer, squirrels, birds, snakes, and a variety of other wildlife.
Fire Tower Trail
Length: 0.4 miles
Time: Approximately 15 minutes
Type: Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Description: From the kiosk near the parking area, begin your hike or ride on the Sulphur Springs Trail. Once you reach the junction, this steep, easy-to-follow, mostly-straight, old roadbed, treats you to some great scenic views of the surrounding mountains. You will climb 400 feet in elevation as you pass through poplar, maple, oak, and pine woods intermingled with open areas grown up with wild berries and tall grasses. At the top, bikers must return the way they came. You may see deer, squirrels, birds, snakes, and a variety of other wildlife.
Pipsissewa Trail
Length: 1.0 miles
Time: Approximately 45 minutes
Type: Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail
Difficulty: Strenuous
Description: From the parking area at the Buckhorn Gate, you will need to walk or ride approximately 0.9 mile on the Brissy Ridge Trail to the junction of the out and back Pipsissewa. Once you reach the junction of the North Lake Trail, you can return or circle the lake. You may see deer, squirrels, birds, snakes, and a variety of other wildlife.
Sulphur Springs Trail
Length: 3.8 mile loop
Time: Approximately 2.5 hours
Type: Hiking Trail
Difficulty: Strenuous
Description: From Picnic Area 6, you can start in either direction on this narrow, steep, strenuous, rocky, rugged, white-blazed loop trail. If you cross the park road and begin at the trail sign, you will climb up and down wooded slopes until you reach the parking area at Buckhorn Gate. At the trail kiosk keep right, continue up another steep slope, and bear left at the fork with the Brissey Ridge trail. You will walk through mixed pine and hardwood forest atop a mountain ridge and pass the Old Firetower Trail on the left, before you begin to climb up and down along deep ravines and running streams lined with mountain laurel and rhododendron. As you pass through these diverse habitats, you may see a variety of birds, snakes, deer, and other wildlife. The trail levels out near the shores of Mountain Lake where you will pass a large dam and follow one of several trail branches that return to the parking area where you began.
Turtle Trail
Length: 0.4 miles
Time: Approximately 15 minutes
Type: Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Description: This short out and back trail connects the campsite to Lake Placid and the Lake Placid Trail. As you follow the banks of the creek, you may see deer, squirrels, birds, snakes, and a variety of other wildlife.
Sassafras Trail
Length: 2.3 mile loop
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours
Type: Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Swimming
Swimming: The swimming area is open daily 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. It is posted, swim at your own risk. Swimming is only allowed in the roped off swimming area, weather permitting. No dogs are allowed in the roped off swimming area. All swimmers must wear appropriate swimwear. Swimming trunks for men and swimsuits for women. Special accommodations may be made for medical reasons. Please check with park staff before scheduling your visit.
Boating and paddling
Boating and Boat Access: Private boats are not allowed in the park lake.
Canoe/Kayak Rentals: Self-serve kayak and paddleboard rentals are available daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through the Whenever Watersports rental kiosk located at Lake Placid.
For current rental rates, policies, and additional details, click here for more information.
Pedal Boat Rentals: Self-serve pedal boat rentals are available daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through the Whenever Watersports rental kiosk located at Lake Placid.
Fishing
Fishing Information: Enjoy fishing in the park's 8-acre Lake Placid for bass, bream and catfish. North Lake (Reservoir #3) is a 15-acre lake located on the back side of the park. You must hike in two miles to access this lake. Bass, bream and catfish are stocked in this lake for fishing.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Playground
- Wi-Fi
- EV charging
- Group facilities
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Group camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 2401 State Park RD
Greenville, SC 29609 - Nearest town
- Travelers Rest — about 5 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 34.9256, -82.3656 (from Wikidata)
- Phone
- (864) 244-5565
- parismountain@scprt.com
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- South Carolina State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 30, 2026
- South Carolina State Parks Park Finder (JSON embedded in #park-finder-component data-parks)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
- Photo: Paris Mountain from Caesars Head, June 2019.jpg — CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication), Thomson200
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology