Foothills Trail Thru-Hike
Oconee State Park, State Park Road, Mountain Rest, SC, USA
Foothills Trail
Hosts
About
FOOTHILLS TRAIL THRU-HIKE
Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park
September 17–22, 2026
Join GVL Roots & Routes for a six-day backpacking thru-hike of the Foothills Trail. We will hike west to east, beginning at Oconee State Park and finishing at Table Rock State Park.
This is an approximately 77-mile backpacking trip. Participants should be prepared for long trail days, elevation changes, uneven terrain, creek crossings, changing weather, and multiple consecutive days carrying a fully loaded pack.
Daily Schedule
•
Wake-up: 6:30 AM
•
Camp breakdown, breakfast, water, and gear check: 6:30–7:45 AM
•
Depart camp: No later than 8:00 AM
•
Morning snack and water break: 10:00 AM
•
Lunch and water refill/foot check: 12:00–12:45 PM
•
Afternoon snack and pace check: 2:30 PM
•
Goal: Be within 3–4 miles of camp or the finish by 3:30 PM
•
Arrival goal: Camp or Table Rock State Park by 5:00 PM
Day 1 — Thursday, September 17
Route: Oconee State Park to Simm’s Field Campsite area
Distance: About 10 miles
Lunch Stop: Tamassee Campsite / nearby water area
Overnight: Simm’s Field Campsite area
Expected Arrival: 2:30–4:00 PM
We will begin at Oconee State Park after completing hiker registration. This is our first day on trail, so the focus will be on finding a steady pace, staying hydrated, and addressing any pack or foot issues early.
Day 2 — Friday, September 18
Route: Simm’s Field area to Burrells Ford area
Distance: About 12 miles
Lunch Stop: Lick Log area or another verified water stop
Overnight: Legal established campsite near Burrells Ford
Expected Arrival: 3:00–4:30 PM
This day takes us deeper into the trail. We will refill and treat water before settling in for the evening.
Day 3 — Saturday, September 19
Route: Burrells Ford area to a legal campsite beyond Bad Creek / Thompson River area
Distance: About 13–14 miles
Lunch Stop: Upper Whitewater Falls picnic area
Overnight: Legal established campsite near the Thompson River area
Expected Arrival: 3:45–5:00 PM
This will be one of the more demanding transition days. We will take time at Upper Whitewater Falls for lunch, water, and a foot check before continuing.
Day 4 — Sunday, September 20
Route: Thompson River / Bad Creek area to Toxaway Campsite area
Distance: About 12–13 miles
Lunch Stop: Canebrake / Bearcamp Creek area
Overnight: Toxaway Campsite area
Expected Arrival: 3:30–4:45 PM
Expect rugged terrain and slower movement in sections. We will use lunch as a meaningful recovery break before pushing toward camp.
Day 5 — Monday, September 21
Route: Toxaway Campsite area to Laurel Valley / Virginia Hawkins Falls area
Distance: About 13–14 miles
Lunch Stop: Laurel Fork Falls
Overnight: Legal established campsite in the Laurel Valley / Virginia Hawkins Falls area
Expected Arrival: 3:45–5:00 PM
Another high-effort day. We will eat, filter water, and recover at Laurel Fork Falls before continuing to our overnight location.
Day 6 — Tuesday, September 22
Route: Laurel Valley / Virginia Hawkins Falls area to Table Rock State Park
Distance: About 15–16 miles
Lunch Stop: Sassafras Mountain summit / facilities area
Finish: Table Rock State Park
Expected Arrival: 4:00–5:00 PM
This is our longest and most important pacing day. We must leave camp on time, keep breaks efficient, and stay focused on arriving at Table Rock State Park by 5:00 PM.
Important Information
•
This is a challenging backpacking trip and is not recommended for first-time backpackers without prior preparation.
•
Every participant must carry their own shelter, sleep system, food, water-treatment method, rain gear, and required personal gear.
•
Water must be filtered or treated.
•
All participants should carry enough food for at least one additional night in case of delays.
•
Exact campsite locations, water availability, weather, trail conditions, closures, and legal camping information will be verified before departure.
•
Camping is not allowed inside Oconee State Park, Table Rock State Park, or restricted portions of the Whitewater corridor.
•
A pickup or shuttle plan will be arranged for the finish at Table Rock State Park.
This will be a challenging but rewarding six days on one of the Southeast’s best long-distance trails. Come prepared, stay flexible, support your teammates, and enjoy the journey.
Rooted. Unbound.
Going
Register to see all event details
Where your group belongs
Foothills Trail Thru-Hike
Oconee State Park, State Park Road, Mountain Rest, SC, USA
Foothills Trail
Hosts
About
FOOTHILLS TRAIL THRU-HIKE
Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park
September 17–22, 2026
Join GVL Roots & Routes for a six-day backpacking thru-hike of the Foothills Trail. We will hike west to east, beginning at Oconee State Park and finishing at Table Rock State Park.
This is an approximately 77-mile backpacking trip. Participants should be prepared for long trail days, elevation changes, uneven terrain, creek crossings, changing weather, and multiple consecutive days carrying a fully loaded pack.
Daily Schedule
•
Wake-up: 6:30 AM
•
Camp breakdown, breakfast, water, and gear check: 6:30–7:45 AM
•
Depart camp: No later than 8:00 AM
•
Morning snack and water break: 10:00 AM
•
Lunch and water refill/foot check: 12:00–12:45 PM
•
Afternoon snack and pace check: 2:30 PM
•
Goal: Be within 3–4 miles of camp or the finish by 3:30 PM
•
Arrival goal: Camp or Table Rock State Park by 5:00 PM
Day 1 — Thursday, September 17
Route: Oconee State Park to Simm’s Field Campsite area
Distance: About 10 miles
Lunch Stop: Tamassee Campsite / nearby water area
Overnight: Simm’s Field Campsite area
Expected Arrival: 2:30–4:00 PM
We will begin at Oconee State Park after completing hiker registration. This is our first day on trail, so the focus will be on finding a steady pace, staying hydrated, and addressing any pack or foot issues early.
Day 2 — Friday, September 18
Route: Simm’s Field area to Burrells Ford area
Distance: About 12 miles
Lunch Stop: Lick Log area or another verified water stop
Overnight: Legal established campsite near Burrells Ford
Expected Arrival: 3:00–4:30 PM
This day takes us deeper into the trail. We will refill and treat water before settling in for the evening.
Day 3 — Saturday, September 19
Route: Burrells Ford area to a legal campsite beyond Bad Creek / Thompson River area
Distance: About 13–14 miles
Lunch Stop: Upper Whitewater Falls picnic area
Overnight: Legal established campsite near the Thompson River area
Expected Arrival: 3:45–5:00 PM
This will be one of the more demanding transition days. We will take time at Upper Whitewater Falls for lunch, water, and a foot check before continuing.
Day 4 — Sunday, September 20
Route: Thompson River / Bad Creek area to Toxaway Campsite area
Distance: About 12–13 miles
Lunch Stop: Canebrake / Bearcamp Creek area
Overnight: Toxaway Campsite area
Expected Arrival: 3:30–4:45 PM
Expect rugged terrain and slower movement in sections. We will use lunch as a meaningful recovery break before pushing toward camp.
Day 5 — Monday, September 21
Route: Toxaway Campsite area to Laurel Valley / Virginia Hawkins Falls area
Distance: About 13–14 miles
Lunch Stop: Laurel Fork Falls
Overnight: Legal established campsite in the Laurel Valley / Virginia Hawkins Falls area
Expected Arrival: 3:45–5:00 PM
Another high-effort day. We will eat, filter water, and recover at Laurel Fork Falls before continuing to our overnight location.
Day 6 — Tuesday, September 22
Route: Laurel Valley / Virginia Hawkins Falls area to Table Rock State Park
Distance: About 15–16 miles
Lunch Stop: Sassafras Mountain summit / facilities area
Finish: Table Rock State Park
Expected Arrival: 4:00–5:00 PM
This is our longest and most important pacing day. We must leave camp on time, keep breaks efficient, and stay focused on arriving at Table Rock State Park by 5:00 PM.
Important Information
•
This is a challenging backpacking trip and is not recommended for first-time backpackers without prior preparation.
•
Every participant must carry their own shelter, sleep system, food, water-treatment method, rain gear, and required personal gear.
•
Water must be filtered or treated.
•
All participants should carry enough food for at least one additional night in case of delays.
•
Exact campsite locations, water availability, weather, trail conditions, closures, and legal camping information will be verified before departure.
•
Camping is not allowed inside Oconee State Park, Table Rock State Park, or restricted portions of the Whitewater corridor.
•
A pickup or shuttle plan will be arranged for the finish at Table Rock State Park.
This will be a challenging but rewarding six days on one of the Southeast’s best long-distance trails. Come prepared, stay flexible, support your teammates, and enjoy the journey.
Rooted. Unbound.
Going
Register to see all event details
Where your group belongs