It's time to get outside and explore the Palmetto State! Did you know that York County boasts over 35 parks, recreation centers, campgrounds, trails, and more for you to reconnect with nature? Just take your pick:

 

Kayak Launches:

Rock Hill's Riverwalk kayak launch is among one of the most popular spots to launch your next voyage, putting you right on the Catawba River! With restaurants and shops nearby, this is the perfect place to get a bite to eat or do some browsing before or after you get on the water.

The Catawba Nation Greenway has a boat launch that will give kayakers access to the water on the Catawba Reservation.

Nivens Creek in Tega Cay has a small beach area for launching kayaks and canoes.

The Beach & Swim center at Pitcairn Park in Tega Cay is a great place to launch your kayak, but you will need a parking permit in order to gain access.

Buster Boyd Access Area is another one of the most popular spots to launch your kayak or canoe, putting you right on Lake Wylie! Several stores, marinas, and restaurants are also within walking distance. 

The Lake Haigler Kayak Launch puts you on the still, beautiful waters of Lake Haigler at the Anne Springs Close Greenway. You can bring your own kayak or rent one, which will include paddles and a life jacket. 

Campgrounds:

Ebenezer Park is currently closed for renovations. 

Bring your tent or your RV to camp out at Kings Mountain State Park. Admission is $3 and each campsite includes individual water and electrical hookups and restrooms with hot showers. Tent campers are welcome to use the main camping area, but there is also a designated tent site area that includes central water. You can read more camp details here.

Crown Cove RV Park boasts more than 120 sites to set up camp. Perks include centrally located bathhouses, a laundromat, and a dog run for your furry pals. Rental rates include water, electricity, sewer, cable TV, and wireless internet access.

Want to play mini-golf in the woods? The Fort Mill KOA campgrounds offer mini-golf, wifi, and a pool! They even have a full-service lounge and a place to grab pizza on-site for those who don't feel like cooking or venturing off grounds for a bite to eat.  This place will have you feeling more like you're at a woodlands resort than a campground!

Allison Creek Park RV and campground will open on Monday, October 16th, 2023 and reservations can be made beginning on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 here. This park has 33 full hook-up RV campsites and 16 tent sites. RV sites include water, sewer, and electric hook-ups, as well as a fire ring and picnic table. Tent sites feature a fire ring and are close to water hook-up sites. 

Mountain Bike Trails:

Worth Mountain Wildlife Management Area provides scenic views of the Broad River, with a 1.5-mile trail that leads to the top of Worth Mountain. This is a good trail for beginners to get the groove of things.

The Anne Springs Close Greenway has trails for mountain bikers with all skill levels. With over 8 miles of biking trails, you're sure to get a workout in while enjoying the scenery that this 2,100-acre nature preserve has to offer. Bike trail access points for the Greenway are located at Adventure Road Entrance and the Complex Trailhead/Tom Hall Street entrances.

Located in the Riverwalk District, the Rock Hill Outdoor Center offers 5 different courses to cycle and mountain bike:

  • The Rock Hill Velodrome - a 250-meter velodrome that hosts competitions as well as cycling programs for cyclists of all skills levels. A certification process is required of all cyclists, regardless of cycling ability, before riding on the track. 
  • BMX Supercross Track - home to the only Olympic-caliber training facility on the East coast that regularly hosts big UCI caliber events.
  • Criterium Course - a 1.1-mile long and 22-foot wide paved cycling course that is closed off to vehicular and pedestrian traffic in order to provide a safer cycling experience. This course was designed for both recreational and competitive use.
  • Piedmont Medical Center Trail - a 2.5-mile paved trail along the Catawba River with connections to other trails, this trail makes for an easy biking experience as it is used for walking, running, and biking.
  • Mountain Bike Course - Riverwalk's mountain bike trails cover over 6 miles of terrain alongside the Catawba River. It is recommended to begin at the Piedmont Medical Center trailhead and review signs posted to map out your route ahead of time. 
  • Walter Schrader Trails loop around the 775 aces that is Historic Brattonsville and is a 7-mile trail good for mountain biking beginners. Trails are closed to cyclists on the third Saturday of each month to allow for horseback riding on the trails.

For more places to go mountain biking or cycling, check out Bike York County for a complete list.

 

Hiking Trails:

Rock Hill's Riverwalk has a trio of connecting trails, starting with the Piedmont Medical Center Trail. Providing relaxing views and sounds of the Catawba River, the Piedmont Trail is a 2.5-mile long paved trail that connects to the 2.3-mile long Founders Trail, and then to the 1.9-mile long Masons Bend Trail. 

When most people think of Baxter Village, they think of the small shops and eateries located right off the interstate. But it also offers hiking trails- the Baxter Trail is a 3.3-mile-long trail filled with hills and streams. This trail is not paved, so use it with caution.

For a quick and easy hike, head to Nanny's Mountain. This historical park dates back to the American Revolutionary War, and showcases pieces of history throughout the entire trail. 

For more hiking trails in York County, click here.