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 page 2 of map pdf

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: croft@scprt.com

Click on the map below to view a full-sized Adobe Acrobat map of the Croft Passage.