Blackstock Battlefield Passage

Palmetto Trail

Trail Activities: t

  • Hike
  • Mountain Bike

Length:

1.60 miles

Type:

Loop

Surface:

Natural

Difficulty: Moderate

Trail Features: t

  • Parking
  • Information Sign
  • Camping
  • Point of Interest
  • Pets
  • No Fee
  • Camping

Summary:

This moderately difficult loop trail encircles what was the scene of the Battle of Blackstock, which took place on November 18, 1760. During the battle, 96 British troops were killed and buried on this site. The land has not been disturbed since the battle and evidence of some placements are still evident. Displays throughout the area show information about plants and animals in this area.

Loading Trails

Blackstock Battlefield Passage offers four miles of nature trails, camping, and first-rate mountain biking along a remote section of the Tyger River where Revolutionary War patriots defeated the British. On November 20, 1780, patriot militia fighting under Gen. Thomas Sumter (aka, “The Carolina Gamecock”) prevailed over British regulars under Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton (aka, “Bloody Ban”). Two months later Tarleton lost the Battle of Cowpens and fled north with his remaining troops.

Preservation of the 54-acre Blackstock Battlefield and construction of the Palmetto Trail are a combined effort of Palmetto Conservation, the Spartanburg Greenway Alliance, and the Mary Black Foundation. International Paper Company donated the site. AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) assisted with passage construction. Botanists from the A.C. Moore Herbarium at the University of South Carolina conducted rare plant surveys, and on-site displays highlight the region’s plant and animal life.

Camping: Camping near the Tyger River in the designated area.

No hunting allowed.

Directions:

Directions from Interstate 26

1) From I-26 traveling westbound, take exit 44 (from I-26 traveling eastbound, take exit 38). Follow the signs to Cross Anchor and continue north on SC 49 for approximately 2.5 miles to Blackstock Road (SR-51). At this intersection, you will see a historical marker pointing to the Blackstock Battlefield.

2) Turn left onto Blackstock Road and travel 1.3 miles to an intersection with Battlefield Road.

3) Turn right onto Battlefield Road (note Google maps calls this Monument Road) and travel 0.7 mile to a Y-intersection, where you will veer left onto Monument Road.

4) The trailhead is on the left approximately one mile farther down Monument Road.

Directions from Spartanburg

1) Follow SC 56 east passing Croft State Park and across the bridge over the Tyger River.

2) Turn left onto East Blackstock Road and follow to a historical marker for Blackstock Battlefield at the intersection with Battlefield Road.

3) Follow directions from #3 above.

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Palmetto Conservation Foundation | 722 King Street, Columbia, SC 29205 | (803) 771-0870 | Email

Download Coordinates
KML file Trail Segments (Paths)
Trail Features (Points of Interest)
Lat: 34.68114709378765
Long: -81.81417715078733