Spartanburg: Trails, Music History and Museums

Explore Spartanburg through its railroad and music history, as well as trails through protected landscapes. The Palmetto Trail: Croft Passage is 12.6 miles long, rated moderate, and designated for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Another historic highlight is the Whitestone Springs Spur: It leads to a historic spring, where traces of a bottling operation, several foundations and the foundation of a four-story hotel from the late 19th century can be seen.

Trails, Water and Green Space

The 116-acre Cottonwood Trail Preserve protects a 1.5-mile stretch of Lawson’s Fork Creek and several tributaries. More than four miles of trails are available for runners and nature watchers. The preserve also offers opportunities for running, walking, kayaking and canoeing. Croft State Park adds more than 20 miles of horseback riding trails, and demonstrations are regularly held in its arena.

Lake Blalock covers 1,105 acres and has approximately 45 miles of shoreline. Its Nature Trail is nearly two miles long, unpaved and includes sections with gentle inclines; trail conditions may vary. Lake Blalock Park has a launch area for paddle sports and a boat ramp. Check access rules before your visit. The Tyger River and its three branches—North Tyger, Middle Tyger and South Tyger—are also options for kayaking, paddling and fishing.

You can also explore the landscape through its gardens and their history. Hatcher Garden is a free-to-access public garden and nature preserve founded in Spartanburg in 1969. The Thomas W. Bartram Trail features plant specimens identified by Revolutionary-era botanist John Bartram and his son William.

Railroads, Music and Art

The Hub City Railroad Museum is housed in the historic Southern Railway Depot. It presents the development of railroading in Spartanburg and Upstate South Carolina, as well as the railroad’s connections to the textile and peach industries. Interactive features include a working telegraph, an old telephone system, and a locomotive bell and horn.

Downtown Spartanburg is designated as a cultural district and includes galleries, studios, music venues and museums; live music takes place on the streets. The Spartanburg Music Trail is a walking tour through downtown that introduces musicians connected to the region. Its stops feature country, gospel, soul and rock ’n’ roll, among other genres.

The Spartanburg Art Museum in the Chapman Cultural Center presents changing exhibitions and a permanent collection year-round; it also offers educational and community programs. Mayfair Art Studios is located in a historic mill building with artists’ studios. Art fairs, performances, exhibitions and other events are held there. In the fossil room at the Spartanburg Science Center, you can see bones, skulls, rocks and minerals from around the world.

The BMW Zentrum Museum showcases BMW milestones in racing and touring car manufacturing, rare historic vehicles and exhibits on current technology. The BMW Zentrum Visitors Center is the only BMW museum in North America. Admission is free, and the tour is self-guided; the visitor center is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Check visiting hours before you go.

Market Visit and Regional Information

The Hub City Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning from April through November. Local farms, food vendors and small-batch artisans come together there. If you’re planning a market visit, schedule it for this period and a Saturday morning.

A few figures can also help with further planning: Spartanburg County manages 55 parks and community centers covering approximately 2,800 acres in total. The Spartanburg Trails and Greenways Plan identifies priority projects for a connected 32-mile trail network between Glendale Shoals in the east and Anderson Mill in the west. Walnut Grove is a plantation-era site in Spartanburg County. A report dated February 25, 2026, said the mansion had reopened to visitors after an extensive stabilization project; confirm current visitor information before traveling there.

Discover more destinations: Duncan, Spartanburg, Boiling Springs, Wellford, Startex, Lyman, Reidville, Jasper County.

For the main travel overview: South Carolina.