 Southside Park
(formerly Tour de Dump) Croft State Park / Natural AreaSouthside Park - Groce Road - Spartanburg, SC 29302 Phone: (864) 585-1283 Croft State Natural Area, 450 Croft State Park Rd Spartanburg, SC 29302 (864) 585-1283 Website  
OVERVIEWStarting from the parking area this somewhat challenging trail has something for just about everyone. There is enough climbing, fast down hills, and hard packed sections, which allow fairly high speeds to satisfy the intermediates and experts. Several connector trails provide variation and new challenges, especially the Idaho pass, which is more technical. You will ride alongside and cross some scenic creeks, and through forested areas, which provide shade from the summer sun. Watch out for wildlife in this area, especially turkey and deer.
Be aware that after a rain there can be some mud and slippery sections. Some sections near the river are very sandy and can be difficult to maneuver through. Insect repellent is recommended during warm months.
NOTE: This trail may be closed on low use days for hunting during the months of September, October, and November. Check with the park before going. This trail system is well signed - with a Info / Map Kiosk at nearly every intersection. A few of the inner loop trail intersections do not have the kiosk, but the trails do have a sign. very difficult to get lost. These trails are maintained by the Upstate Mountain Bikers Association UMBA according to the rules and regulations of the Croft State Natural Area and the South Carolina Trails System. Please do not alter the existing trails by digging, cutting trees or building bypasses without permission from the Croft State Natural Area Officials. Length: Approximately 43 miles (Main trail and connectors).  Please keep in mind that the 43 miles trails at Southside Park and Croft State Natural Area are Multi-Use trails: This means riding in the park you must Share the Trail. ALL Riders Yield to Hikers ,Trail Runners and Equestrian Riders - Downhill traffic Yields to Uphill traffic at ALL TIMES! Please do not put our trail access in jeopardy!
- Open to Bikes: every day of the week
- Pets: Pets are allowed
HOURS - Admissions: $2 per vehicle Drop Box at Information Kiosk
- Year Park Pass available through UMBA (Upstate Mountain Bike Assoc.)
- Days and Hours of Operation:
LOCATION - Latitude: 34.84987503195418
- Longitude : -81.8701171875
- Driving Directions - Miles from:
- Lake Location: Southside: No Croft SP: Yes
- Camping: Call 1-866-345-PARK (7275) or go online at www.SouthCarolinaParks.com to make your reservations today!
Park Information: Croft State Natural Area, 450 Croft State Park Rd., Spartanburg, SC, 29302. Telephone: 864-585-1283 or 864-583-2913.
PARK PARTNERS & CLUBS
LOCAL BIKE SHOPS - Bike Worx
1055A Fernwood Glendale Rd - Spartanburg, SC 29307
Phone: (864) 542-BIKE (2453) Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- The Great Escape
Spartanburg Shop - 105 Franklin Avenue - Spartanburg, SC 29301
864-574-5273
- BikeWays SC
2520 Boiling Springs - Boiling Springs, SC 29316
864-578-2453
Fax: 864-578-0007
EVENTS - Night Rides - Tuesdays 6:00PM
- Tour The New Trails With Us! Come join BikeWorx & UMBA at Croft State Natural Area on Tuesday evenings 6pm for all skill levels. Croft State Natural Area offers some of the best trails in the Southeast right in our back yard. We highly recommend a suspension mountain bikes and helmets are required.
- Please note: We now meet at the new entrance of The Palmetto Trail at the intersection on Carolina Country Club Rd and Cedar Springs Dr. That is for both above listed events.
- Stump Jump (April/May) South Carolina State Cross Country XC Championship Race
SOUTHSIDE PARK TRAILS GPS INFORMATION 
SOUTHSIDE SUGGESTED ROUTES- EASY/MODERATE
- Parking lot A> LEFT Southside loop > B > C > D> RIGHT on Flat Pass > F RIGHT on Southside loop > G RIGHT on Centerline all the way back to A
- Parking lot A>RIGHT Centerline > M > L LEFT on Southside loop > K LEFT on Outlaw > H RIGHT on Southside loop > G LEFT on Centerline all the way back to A
- INTERMEDIATE
- Southside Loop either direction (clockwise or counter clockwise) 9.7 miles
- (More Coming soon)
- ADVANCED/DIFFICULT
- Parking lot A>RIGHT Centerline > M > L RIGHT on Southside loop > K RIGHT to Gravel Road > J LEFT on Southside loop pass cem > H Second LEFT on Outlaw > K LEFT on Idaho > H LEFT on Southside Loop > O LEFT on Lizard > RIGHT on Centerline to G> LEFT on Southside Loop > N LEFT on High & Dry > LEFT to Southside Loop F> RIGHT on Southside > E > D > C > B> LEFT on Fern Gully > M Right on Centerline > back to A
- (More Coming soon)
REVIEWS CROFT STATE PARK - NATURAL AREA Croft State Natural Area is a big park with lots to do. WEBSITE A green retreat in the heart of fast-growing Spartanburg County, the park offers more than 12 miles of biking and hiking trails, a playground, picnicking and camping, as well as fishing and boating in two lakes, including 150-acre Lake Craig.
Croft also is known around the region for its equestrian facilities. The park regularly hosts shows in its arena and boasts more than 20 miles of equestrian facilities and 55 stalls.
The diverse park was once an Army training base and covers nearly 12 miles of rolling, wooded terrain that also provides habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna just five miles from bustling downtown Spartanburg. GENERAL - Acreage: 7,054
- When & How PRT Acquired: Purchased in 1949 from the US Government.
- Pets: Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet.
- Pay Phone on Site: Yes
- Admissions: $2 adults; $1.25 SC seniors; age 15 & younger free
HOURS - Office Hours: 11am -noon & 4pm-5pm
- Days and Hours of Operation: Standard Time Hours : 7am- 6pm; extended to 8pm on Fri;
- Daylight Savings Time Hours: M-Su 7am -9pm
LOCATION - Driving Directions:
- From I-85: Take exit 78. Get on Hwy. 221 and take Hwy. 176 to Country Club Rd. Turn right on Country Club Rd. Turn left at the light (Hwy. 56). Stay on Hwy. 56, turn left onto Dairy Ridge Rd. and follow signs.
- From I-26 Southbound: Take exit 22, go east on Hwy. 296. for approximately one mile, turn onto Hwy. 295 until it intersects with Hwy 56. Turn right onto Hwy. 56, then take a left at Dairy Ridge Rd. and follow signs.
- From I-26 Northbound:Take exit #52 onto Hwy 56. Go N for 30 mi. Turn rt onto Dairy Ridge Rd. And follow signs.
CROFT PASSAGE - PALMETTO TRAIL
 A green retreat in the heart of fast-growing Spartanburg County, the park offers more than 12 miles of biking and hiking trails, a playground, picnicking and camping, as well as fishing and boating in two lakes, including 150-acre Lake Craig.
Croft also is known around the region for its equestrian facilities. The park regularly hosts shows in its arena and boasts more than 20 miles of equestrian facilities and 55 stalls.
The diverse park was once an Army training base and covers nearly 12 miles of rolling, wooded terrain that also provides habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna just five miles from bustling downtown Spartanburg.
 The Palmetto Trail through historic Croft State Natural Area connects the city of Spartanburg to the Glenn Springs area in southern Spartanburg County. The 12.6-mile trail enters Croft at the Glenn Springs Passage trailhead and crosses the new 65 ft. Advance America Bridge over Fairforest Creek. Hikers and equestrians follow established trails to the east and north while mountain bikers follow roads to the west and north until all join at Henningston Road. The newly built trail from mile 8.5 to the northern trailhead is truly multi-use and follows ridges, crosses drainages, and hugs Kelsey Creek to the historic Cedar Springs area.
Croft is a historically significant area. Structures from the WWII era can be seen from when the area was Camp Croft, an Army Training Center. A short, easy side hike on the blue blazed spur leads to Whitestone Springs, the site of a resort hotel built in 1902. The northern trailhead marks the site of the militia victory at the 1st Battle of Cedar Springs on July 12, 1780. At the other end, the area around Fairforest Creek shoals became a hub of mills, trading, and political activity in the mid to late 1700s, including the first governmental organization - the Spartan Militia District.
Length: 12.6 miles
Uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Equestrian
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees: Admission fee into Croft State Natural Area
Directions: see above
Camping: Park campground, reservations advised, fee
Additional Information: Croft State Natural Area, 450 Croft State Park RD, Spartanburg, SC 29302 (864) 585-1283 www.southcarolinaparks.com or email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Click on the map below to view a full-sized Adobe Acrobat map of the Croft Passage.
  IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Be safe, always wear a helmet!
PHOTOS (Coming Soon)
|
Area Trails 
