Pipsissewa Passage Phase I, II, III

  • Location: Greenville County, SC

  • Size: 88.7 acres

  • Habitat: Mature hardwoods, granite outcrops, pond

  • Public Use: Hiking

  • Funding Partners: SC Conservation Bank (SCCB) & Greenville County Historic Natural Resource Trust (GCHNRT)

  • Year Protected: 2024/2025

 

Named after the popular trail that loops around North Lake in Paris Mountain State Park, Pipsissewa Passage presents a strategic addition to the park. This 65-acre property will significantly expand Paris Mountain State Park, prevent potential development from encroaching on the park's boundaries, and provide the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (SCPRT) with the opportunity to better manage and distribute increasing visitation by opening a new side of the park to the public. This expansion comes at a crucial time, as visitation to Paris Mountain has nearly quadrupled since the COVID-19 pandemic, placing added strain on the park’s current infrastructure.

The property, previously owned by Steve Wingard, includes a meticulously designed residence and pond that complement the natural beauty of the park. Wingard’s vision for the land—complete with an ornate spillway, a two-acre mountain pond, and granite rock walls—was to create a landscape that felt like an extension of Paris Mountain State Park. The park plans to incorporate both the house and the pond into its programming, adding unique recreational opportunities for visitors. However, the true value of Pipsissewa Passage lies in its large acreage and mature forest that provide critical green space on the edge of the mountain.

Few single-owner properties of this size and ecological importance border the park, making this acquisition a top priority for conservation and recreational use. The property's proximity to downtown Greenville and Travelers Rest, its scenic mountain views, and its undeveloped nature attracted significant interest from private buyers and developers when it went on the market this summer. Fortunately, Naturaland Trust was able to secure a purchase contract and during the due diligence period, park staff and county officials toured the property, recognizing its potential.

State park officials plan to create a new entrance off State Park Road, which will facilitate the construction of a trail connector linking the new land to the existing trail network. This will not only provide hikers with more access points but also help alleviate overcrowding at the park's main entrance, enhancing the visitor experience. This expansion is a significant step forward in preserving natural spaces in one of South Carolina’s most visited parks. As the demand for outdoor recreation continues to rise, particularly since the pandemic, expanding public access and creating new opportunities for visitors is essential for sustaining both the park's mission, its natural ecosystems and preventing harmful developments that could compromise the latter.

Phase II & III

Pipsissewa Passage II and III are part of a continued effort to expand protections and public access for Paris Mountain State Park. The Park has seen a quadrupling of visitation since 2020 and remains one of the most accessible and important parks in the state, for its close proximity to the growing cities of downtown Travelers Rest and Greenville.

Recently, Paris Mountain made statewide news for a hotel development that was planned next to the park. Fortunately, the county and City of Travelers Rest voted down the proposal, citing Paris Mountain’s importance as an ecological treasure and vital destination for visitors to the Upstate. Just east of these tracts and north of State Park Road, large parcels have been subdivided and have become dense neighborhoods. The gentle slopes and proximity to the Park make these particularly vulnerable parcels to development. Instead, the 23 acres will allow safeguard the movement of animals south of State Park Road like black bears, deer, and bobcat.

The two projects add 15.46 acres (Pipsissewa II) and 7.85 acres (Pipsissewa III) respectively to the original 65-acre Pipsissewa Passage property Naturaland Trust closed in December of 2024. Both parcels are priorities for the State Park and the new director, Joy Raintree, has been on site to see them. With frontage on both sides of State Park Road, Pipsissewa Passage II and III will provide greater opportunities for the State Park in its future management and potential entrance expansion, should it decide to do so on the north side of the Park.

Normally, it takes several years to piece together adjacent lands. This is a rare opportunity to build on last year’s success and keep the positive momentum for safeguarding Paris Mountain State Park’s boundaries. Naturaland Trust plans to close on the properties in October and when SCPRT is able to secure LWCF funding, they will become the eventual owner and managers of the land.