Pretty Place Chapel (YMCA Camp Greenville)

Pretty Place Chapel is a unique venue perched atop a rocky cliff face of Standing Stone Mountain. Although the road from US 276 is in North Carolina, the site is actually across the state line in Greenville County (SC). It’s the main attraction of Camp Greenville, a YMCA boys and girls camp.

Camp Greenville is adjacent to the Mountain Bridge Wilderness area that encompasses both Jones Gap State Park and Caesars Head State Park. It’s not far from DuPont State Forest as well.

I’ve been meaning to drop by Pretty Place for years. There’s a sign at the intersection of US 276 that announces if/when the chapel is open to the public. That information is also available on the camp’s website, and you should check the availability before planning your visit.

I’m used to seeing the chapel from the mountain ridge on the other side of Jones Gap. There’s a rocky outcropping and overlook on the Rim Of The Gap Trail that is directly opposite the chapel. it provides a great view of the chapel cliff that photos do not accurately convey.

I’ve always wanted to hike up to the chapel from the valley floor via the Rainbow Falls Trail, but my efforts so far have been fruitless. Instead, I decided to drive to the chapel as the pièce de résistance of an all-day loop of area attractions (learn more).

The drive is along a winding road that mostly follows the ridgeline of the mountain. There is a parking lot at the chapel and there are restrooms available during the warmer months (April–September). There is no cost for visiting, but donations are accepted.

The view is stunning. If you’re traveling between Greenville, SC, and Brevard, NC, it is definitely worth a visit. Bring some binoculars and you can get a great view of downtown Greenville just to the right of Paris Mountain.

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