• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEERS
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE
  • Subscribe!

Bald Rock Heritage Preserve

SC PICTURE PROJECT 7 Comments

SC Picture Project / Greenville County / Bald Rock Heritage Preserve

With spectacular Table Rock standing in the distance, Bald Rock Heritage Preserve provides one of the best panoramic views of the South Carolina foothills. Adjoining Caesar’s Head State Park, the 165-acre preserve, including its eponymous rock face, is a popular stop for travelers winding through the scenic roads of Greenville and Pickens counties.

Bald Rock South Carolina

Amy Moorrees of Pickens, 2019 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The preserve is part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, which includes Caesar’s Head State Park and Jones Gap State Park as well as Wildcat Falls. Access to the preserve’s namesake rock is provided by a wooden footbridge.

Bald Rock Heritage Preserve, SC

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the preserve harbors two headwater streams that provide habitat to protected plant species such as Piedmont ragwort (Packera millefolia) and grass-of-parnassus (Parnassia glauca).

Bald Rock Heritage Preserve

Derek Thornton of Greer, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Graffiti is noticeable on the rock. Sadly, some visitors believe that painting the rock is a harmless tradition. However, the paint causes harm both to the surrounding plants and the animals that eat them. Defacing the rock and its grounds in any way is strictly prohibited. Visitors also are asked to pack up their trash when leaving the preserve. Taking such measures to protect the ecology of this breathtaking vista ensures that all can enjoy its natural beauty for years to come.

Bald Rock SC Overlook

Amy Moorrees of Pickens, 2019 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Even with the presence of graffiti, the mist and mountains of the South Carolina Foothills are an astounding view from atop this granite formation. It is essential for visitors to remember that runoff from rain can lead to spray paint infiltrating the aforementioned streams. Please help keep Bald Rock Heritage Preserve’s habitat healthy.

Bald Rock Heritage Preserve Sign

Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, GA, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

More Pictures of Bald Rock


Bald Rock SC

Amy Moorrees of Pickens, 2019 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Directions to Bald Rock


Contributor Barry Gooch gives the following directions for how best to reach Bald Rock:

Head south from Caesar’s Head on US 276 (Geer Highway). Drive about four miles and you will pass a road to the left called Persimmon Ridge Road. Drive another half-mile, and Club Terrace Drive will be on the right. I don’t know if either of these roads are marked. The overlook will be another one-tenth of a mile on the left. It isn’t marked and the bald is obscured by trees. There is no parking lot, though enough people stop at the overlook that a makeshift parking area exists on the left side of the highway near the path to the bald. It’s an easy 50-yard walk from the highway and is well worth the time and effort. Be careful though, the rocks can be slippery!

Shining Rock

Barry Gooch of Port Royal, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Reflections on Bald Rock


Contributor Elyse Rachel shares, “I will never forget my first visit to Bald Rock. Wonderful motorcycle ride up the mountain. Climbed onto Bald Rock just before sunset and the views were amazing.”

Bald Rock

Elyse Rachel of Greer, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Bald Rock Heritage Preserve

Where is Bald Rock Heritage Preserve located?
Address: United States Highway 276, Cleveland, SC 29635
GPS Coordinates: 35.082310,-82.621320
What else should I see?
Wildcat Falls 2.4 miles
Caesar’s Head 2.7 miles
Saluda Hill Baptist 3.7 miles
Pumpkintown Mountain Opry 3.8 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Forests and Nature Preserves
  • See other South Carolina Mountains
    Bald Rock Heritage Preserve Map

    Please Donate

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader contribution, big or small, is so valuable. If you have enjoyed this page or found it helpful, please pitch in. Even donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $1,045 of $7,500 raised
    $ 20.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Donation Total: $20.00

    Related posts:

    Paris Mountain State ParkParis Mountain State Park Caesars Head State ParkCaesar’s Head Pretty Place South CarolinaSymmes Chapel Table Rock ViewTable Rock Blue Wall Preserve in South CarolinaBlue Wall Preserve

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karen Moyd says

      May 1, 2020 at 10:24 PM

      Is Bald Rock back open from Covid19 closure with high fence? Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Don Fortner says

      January 29, 2019 at 11:27 AM

      I believe that Bald Rock was visited by me in the 1970s to try and
      observe the launch of an Apollo launch from Florida. It had been reported previously that a local pilot flying south of Greenville had seen an earlier launch. I felt that being up over 3,000 freet on the bald rock I might be able to get a glimpse of the launch. I had played hookey from work that day and took my small 2.5 inch (60 MM) telescope to the mountain. When I arrived it was obscured by a thick fog. ;-(. By the way I went to work sad and disappointed.

      Reply
    3. Don Fortner says

      January 28, 2019 at 5:53 PM

      Who owned the land in the past. I keep hearing about Fortner Mountain . Could this be it. Did a Fortner once own the property ?
      Thanks

      Reply
    4. Leanne chamblee says

      July 5, 2017 at 11:16 PM

      I’m curious if anyone has experienced any spirits or ghosts on bald rock.

      Reply
    5. Susan Creamer says

      October 29, 2016 at 8:20 AM

      Beautiful pictures!!
      I am curious as to the name of the bald face mountain you can see to the right, when standing on Bald Rock.
      Would this be Table Rock???

      Reply
      • Mel Bivings says

        November 16, 2016 at 1:52 AM

        Yes I do believe that’s Table Rock toward the right of all the pictures.

        Reply
      • Jack says

        July 31, 2018 at 3:21 PM

        Yes it is (Table Rock mountain).

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Your Email Here

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s historic landmarks for future generations. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $1,045 of $7,500 raised
    $ 20.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Donation Total: $20.00

    Recent Posts

    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill
    • Faris Store

    Our Sponsor

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit. If there is no link, contact us and we will do our best to help.

    SIGN UP

    Subscribe here to receive the “SC Photo of the Week” in your inbox! Each Tuesday, we highlight a different South Carolina landmark. Emails include the landmark’s history, its location and a map, and of course, incredible photos!

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2021 · All Rights Reserved