Rocky River Nature Park (Blog Hike #826)

Trails: Main, Bluff, River, and Cox Creek Trails
Hike Location: Rocky River Nature Park
Geographic Location: east side of Anderson, SC (34.51191,-82.62357)
Length: 1.4 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Dates Hiked: (many)
Overview: A short lollipop loop through blufftop and wetland environments.
Park Information: https://www.rockyriverconservancy.org/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=848534
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: From the intersection of US 29 and Old Williamston Road on the east side of Anderson, drive Old Williamston Rd. north 0.5 miles to the signed parking area on the right.  Park in the small gravel lot.

The hike: Owned and maintained by the Rocky River Conservancy, a private not-for-profit organization, Rocky River Nature Park protects 132 acres of bluffs and wetlands on the east side of Anderson.  The park is less than 10 years old, and scars from the land's previous industrial use will be seen in numerous places throughout the park.  Nevertheless, the wetlands along the Rocky River comprise the largest wetlands located within city limits in upstate South Carolina, and future plans call for expanding the park to as many as 400 acres.

            The park has a rough-around-the-edges feel typical of a new park, but major efforts have been made to make the park more user-friendly.  In terms of amenities, the park features only a small shelter, an outdoor classroom/amphitheater, and about 2 miles of trails.  I came here on a cool morning the day after Thanksgiving and had a very pleasant hike.  I plan to come here more often in the future: I live less than 3 miles from this park.  The route described in this post explores both the blufftop and wetland habitats, and thus it forms a good sample of what the park has to offer.

Starting the Main Trail

            Before you leave the trailhead, take a picture of the trail map at the information kiosk.  The trails at Rocky River Nature Park are unmarked and only occasionally signed, so the trail map might come in handy while you hike.  Start on the wide two-track Main Trail, and stay left to climb a small rise when the trail splits.  This trail split actually forms the loop portion of this hike, so we will return on the trail going downhill to the right.

            At 0.2 miles, you reach a newly-constructed shelter and a bench.  Angle left at the shelter to leave the Main Trail and begin the Bluff Trail, which soon passes what remains of an old brick structure.  Pine trees dominate this area, the highest ground in the park.

Old brick structure

            At the next intersection, turn left to loop around a small ravine and descend to the wetlands.  Turn right upon reaching the wetlands to begin walking a narrow corridor between the wetland on your left and the steep bluff on your right.  Despite its urban location, Rocky River Nature Park is an above average destination for birding and wildlife observation.  My approach sent several turtles plopping into the water, and I also saw a heron, some hawks, and some deer in this area.

Gazing across the wetland

            At 0.5 miles, you reach a major trail intersection.  We will eventually continue straight to begin the Cox Creek Trail, but first turn left to hike across a causeway that leads deeper into the wetland.  The causeway ends at the west bank of the Rocky River.  Turning right at the river leads to a short boardwalk over the wetland, which is the highlight of the trail system.  The grassy wet meadow is dotted with trees, and nice views can be had in multiple directions.  Take a few minutes here to see what birds and wildlife you can observe.

Current end of boardwalk

View from boardwalk

            Future plans call for the boardwalk to be extended further across the wetland, but for now you have to retrace your steps to the major intersection and turn left to begin the Cox Creek Trail.  The Cox Creek Trail follows a sewer line before curving right to head up its namesake creek.  The area along Cox Creek is the wettest of this hike, and an alternate route would be to return on the Main Trail if the wetness is too great.  Staying with the Cox Creek Trail closes the loop in just under 1.4 miles, where a soft left returns you to the trailhead to complete the hike.