A beautiful park and greenspace near Spartanburg, SC that blends late 18th century buildings and architecture with the natural.
Some of the old structures that are on the grounds at Glendale Shoals near Spartanburg. 
A view of Glendale Shoals from the bridge that crosses the river. 
An old smokestack at Glendale Shoals near Spartanburg South Carolina. 
The iconic tower at Glendale Shoals near Spartanburg South Carolina where history and nature are blended together.
Located in historic Glendale South Carolina in Spartanburg County, Glendale Shoals Preserve is a beautiful 13 acre green space along Lawson’s Fork Creek that blends late 1800’s history and architecture with significant plant, animal and bird life just a few minutes from the modern and booming “Hub City” of Spartanburg South Carolina. It is another shining example of how cities can move forward with the new while preserving both the old and the natural.
Glendale Shoals is located at 123 Emma Cudd Rd in Glendale South Carolina, however, we recommend parking at the lot behind the Glendale Post Office located at 350 Broadway Street in Glendale South Carolina. There is more parking available and more of the preserve is directly available from this location. It is an easy drive through the streets of Spartanburg with Glendale Shoals being about 20 minutes from the intersection of Interstates 85 and 26, 45 minutes from Greenville South Carolina, and 80 minutes from Asheville and Charlotte North Carolina. Parking is free and the preserve is open from dawn to dusk.
The preserve starts at the dam and continues down the river to include the grassy areas, benches, picnic tables, nature trails and the canoe/kayak launch. It is a peaceful area with the sound of the river and falls at the dam continuously providing the background sound track. You can easily cross the river via the steel bridge over the dam, walk along the river at numerous access points, or walk along the many paths and short trails that line the preserve. Of course you can also just sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience of Glendale Shoals.
You can also walk and explore the garden behind the Goodall Environmental Studies Center of Wofford College. Just make sure you close the gate behind you.