Caesar’s Head State Park and Devil’s Kitchen in South Carolina

South Carolina is a beautiful state that much like its sister, North Carolina, can take you on a wild trip from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the foothills of the mountains. Along the way, there is a bounty of locations to visit, including Caesar’s Head State Park.

It takes three hours to drive from the northern border of North Carolina on I95 to the southern border of Georgia. It is exactly 199 miles and the midway point will take you over, Lake Marion and the town of Santee. It is off the beaten path that we find the more interesting parts of the state.

There are four major interstate highways in South Carolina. I95, I20, I26, and I77. From these four highways, you can crisscross the state. All but I95 cross through Columbia, the state’s capital.

This trip, however, won’t be taking you on the highways. You will need to get on 276 and head north-northwest into the Mountain Bridge Wilderness which is south of Dupont State Recreational Forest in North Carolina. The park is about 30 miles north of Greenville, S.C.

Caesars Head State Park is located in the upper northwest of South Carolina on the North Carolina border. The rock formation in the mountains looks down at what is called the Piedmont region.

During the fall months, visitors come to watch for hawk migrations. 1,000s of hawks migrate through the park for three months out of the year starting in September. The hawks literally pass through the park on their journey.

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There are hiking trails for both novice and experts alike. Take a stroll to the 4 miles long round trip, Raven Cliff Falls trail or camp overnight at one of the sites available to the public.

A 6 miles long trail will take you to a suspension bridge that crosses the Raven Cliff falls giving you a birdseye view of the falls below. There are five waterfalls in the park and 60 miles of hiking trails.

Make sure to see Devil’s Kitchen. On your way to Caesar’s Head overlook, a stairwell carved out over centuries greets you with a narrow passage between two large rock formations. The stairs are wide enough for a person to fit through and will take you all the way down the gap.

The split rock was formed thousands of years ago when the water froze, expanded, and eventually split the rock into two halves. Eventually, it will likely split again over another thousand years. This particular type of rock, according to Atlas Obscura, cracks at a 90-degree angle which creates the pathway between the two.

Legend and local lore, however, say that early Scottish-Irish immigrants who made their own alcohol allowed the Devil to make his own and one drop split the rocks. Local lore is always so much fun to read about.

Overall, Caesar’s Head State Park is a beautiful getaway that you and your family can enjoy during a trip to the state of South Carolina.