The area around Lake Conestee Nature Park is going through the early stages of redevelopment (and gentrification) as new community ballparks, commercial interests, and natural areas are established. The biking and walking paths wind their way around the lake, which is really more of a swamp, and it’s all fed by Greenville’s Reedy River, which is a glorified creek. If you didn’t know about the trails, you’d think the area was just a wasteland around the abandoned Conestee Mill and dam.
Lake Conestee Nature Park consists of approximately 400 acres of beautiful natural habitat on the Reedy River just 6 miles south of downtown Greenville, South Carolina. The park contains both hardwood and evergreen forest, extensive wetlands, 3 miles of the Reedy River, and a rich diversity of wildlife habitat. Deer, raccoon, beaver, fox, river otter, and various small mammals inhabit the park, along with numerous species of reptiles and amphibians. Over 200 bird species have been reported by the Greenville County Bird Club. The park has been designated as an Important Bird Area of Global Significance by the National Audubon Society.
The park hosts three trails.
Lake Conestee Nature Park currently offers approximately three miles of natural surface trails, two miles of paved trails and almost 2000 linear feet of boardwalks. Future trail plans include an extension of the Swamp Rabbit Trail along the Reedy River to I-85.
I think the Swamp Rabbit Trail has already connected with Conestee, but I could be wrong. Everything is developing so quickly. Last time I was there, this place was overrun with dogs and kids. If the Swamp Rabbit trail has connected, then it must be magnitudes more crowded around the clock. Go early if you want some space. The bugs will be better early in the day as well. The stagnant, swampy lake is a mosquito farm, so bring some spray. After years of making excuses for bad insect repellant, I finally switched to Ben’s 100 and haven’t used another brand since.
Visit Connestee Falls in Brevard, North Carolina
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