Explore cool urban greenways in Spartanburg County

Whether you want to stick to paved paths, take a historical and cultural tour, or immerse yourself in nature, the downtown Spartanburg area has something for everyone.

Spartanburg is the second fastest growing metro area in South Carolina. With significant recent investment in revitalizing downtown and conserving greenspace, it's an excellent place to have an accessible urban adventure.

In the heart of the city, there are some convenient stops that you can fit into a one-day excursion. The burgeoning Northside District, Spartanburg County Public Library Planetarium, Southside Cultural Monument, and Mary Black Rail Trail are all within a few miles of each other and easy to find if you are coming from I-85 or I-26.

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Start your adventure with a hearty breakfast at McClellan’s at Monarch Café, then take a leisurely creekside walk on the Butterfly Branch Greenway to see how the city is creating walkability on the Northside. After that, check out one of the many programs offered at the new Spartanburg County Public Library Planetarium where you can learn about the birth of planet Earth, the unsolved mysteries of Saturn’s moons, and even living on the International Space Station. More info on the planetarium is available at spartanburglibraries.org

Then make your way to the Southside Cultural Monument where you can take a deep dive into stories about Spartanburg’s historically Black communities. The monument panels promote contemplative strolling as you take in the artistic and celebratory presentation of the city’s Black experience.

If you want to keep your body in motion, then check out the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail. This popular trail offers two miles of paved pathway for walking and cycling, the appropriately named “Rail Tail” dog park for your furry friends, and even a bike park if you’re interested in getting your heart rate up. Learn more about the Mary Black Trail and other urban greenways managed by Spartanburg nonprofit PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well. at their website palspartanburg.org

From any of these locations, you can take a slight detour south and check out the ten-acre public garden at Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve. The Preserve is an excellent example of urban greenspace where you can attend a variety of seasonal events or visit the garden “rooms” that feature a wide array of native and exotic flora. Visit hatchergarden.org for details

Another optional detour would take you slightly further afield to the Spartanburg Area Conservancy’s 29-acre Glendale Shoals Preserve, which boasts nature trails, community greenspace, and scenic views of a beautiful waterfall that cascades over a dam under the Glendale Bridge. The property also includes the old Glendale Mill site, which was saved from the brink of becoming a planned high-density development in 2022. These iconic ruins remind us that Spartanburg was once a bustling mill town. Find more information at spartanburgconservation.org 

Staff tips & recommendations

Do you want to make a multiple-day trip out of your Spartanburg adventure? Try staying off the beaten path in Croft State Park where you can camp, fish, boat, hike, bike, and more! This 7,000-acre park offers over 20 miles of trails, including equestrian access. It is a great place to observe the night sky without light pollution — you might even get to apply some of the knowledge you learn at the Planetarium. southcarolinaparks.com

This article is a feature from the Spring/Summer 2026 issue of the Upstate Advocate. To read more from this and previous issues, visit upstateforever.org/newsletter.