Hidden Gems in Cleveland Park, South Carolina

Cleveland Park is one of the most popular parks in Greenville, South Carolina, with its network of heavily populated, paved jogging trails, including the Swamp Rabbit Trail portion that connects Cleveland Park with the Falls Park located downtown. However, despite the popularity of this park and the heavy amount of foot traffic on the central trails, there are many hidden gems to Cleveland Park that allow Greenville citizens the opportunity to enjoy some tranquility in a natural setting without needing to leave the city.

Amphitheater Ruins

Located near the corner of Cleveland Park Drive and Lake Crest Street in Greenville, South Carolina, steep set of concrete stadium seats are all that remain of what must have once been a local amphitheater. Now, the moss and vines reclaiming the remaining seats creates a bucolic spot to watch the natural world go by and consider how many generations of Greenville residents must have enjoyed this setting. This hidden gem of Cleveland Park can be found by walking on Swamp Rabbit Trail toward Hincapie Path in the opposite direction of Greenville Zoo. When you get to the point where the black and white stone Greenville County Vietnam Veterans Memorial is directly across the Reedy River to your right, look across lawn and forested hill to your left. You should be able to make out the bottom of the steps of the amphitheater ruins. Although much of remaining stones are visible from the street, they are tucked away enough the the location provides plenty of privacy.

Troop 19 Trail

Arguably the coolest trail in Cleveland Park, Troop 19 Trail is also the easiest to miss. The trail head is nestled just to the right of the far end of last large parking area in Cleveland Park on the opposite end of the lot from the playground area. Marked with a little brown sigh and small bird feeder, Troop 19 Trail immediately launches into a strenuously steep but mercifully short incline. About halfway up there is a circle of stone and wood around an old mason cooking pit that is just about the perfect area for meditating in peace and quiet, located just a remarkably jaunt away from one of the busiest areas of the park. The trail goes on to wander the hill side in series of unmarked, criss crossing trails with very little of a chance of getting lost so close to civilization. Still, out of the many times that I have been out on Troop 19 Trail, I have yet to encounter a single other soul.