Wow! Breathtaking!!! The weather was a little chilly but I can imagine sitting out here reading a book or just star gazing in 70 degree weather. No graffiti allowed but clearly people didnt follow that rule. Lol It was still pretty cool to see it on the rocks minus the expletives The view is to die for. No, literally and physically speaking. Lol If you walk down far enough and you're clumsy like me, prepare yourself for a continuous roll. read more

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Beautiful as always and much cleaner due to the new hike in to see it. My only suggestion is the signage needs improvement. 290 Persimmon Road ..the gravel road could be marked better. And the trail markings definitely could be better. There are small hidden tripping stumps along the way which could easily be cut out. We enjoyed the stroll through the woods to Bald Rock. Didn't see the glass as we had in the past.. no evidence of fires as in the past. Seemed nicer. read more

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We were headed up to Caesars Head for a long hike and noticed a bunch of cars parked on the side of road (yes, parking spaces available) After our great and exhausting hike we drove back down and thought we could 'quickly' see what this Bald Rock was all about. Well... it's ahhhmazing and so worth the stop! We spent some time here bc the views were a special kind of captivating beauty. I've only seen this much smooth rock on top of a mountain in Acadia! read more

Bald Rock Heritage Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Cleveland, South Carolina

Another scenic spot if you're in the area. I've been coming here with my camera since the 80's and I always find something new to photograph. This location has been taken over by SCDNR so there is now a large trash receptacle on site. Looks like they may also be starting some graffiti clean up. But this is still a great place to visit. read more

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Amazing view if you can get past the excessive graffiti. It's a minute walk to the view and somewhat crowded. The parking can be a little tricky. It's worth the time to stop and park just for the view. read more

Bald Rock Heritage Preserve - Amazing View - Hiking Near Me - Cleveland, South Carolina

Best/Coolest Overlook I have been to! Definitely a worthwhile stop while in the area, the view is impressive. Can see Table Rock mountain which is southwest of the Bald Rock Heritage Preserve (if you're on the rock enjoying the view, look to the right). The rock is covered w graffiti but that kinda added to the "cool" factor of the place. The views, no matter where you stand on the rock, are incredible. Being that we visited in the Fall, the foliage colors provided beautiful setting. There are no facilities here and it is not a hiking destination but to experience walking on this humongous rock and soaking in the views, it's a very worthwhile stop when in the area. I'm told you can walk all the way to the base but I didn't feel like climbing back up this day, probably do that on my next visit :) Thank you, Richard! read more

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So if I had not been with my hiking group, I probably would have never got to see this place. it is tucked off the side of a winding road and not clearly marked. There are only a few places to park and the actual rock is not visible from the road. This rock is huge and has a very unique & controversial characteristic about it--it is covered in graffiti. I have never seen anything like this before and I was not warned ahead of time, so that was the part that took most of my attention when I first walked out on the rock. But the best part is the VIEW. We went on a day in late fall and the leaves were gorgeous. We only stayed a few minutes, as we had tons more places to explore, but I could definitely see this as a place to walk around and maybe even sit on a blanket and just enjoy the sights. It's a great photo spot too! Bookmark this spot and check it out if you are in the area exploring. read more

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After visiting Bell Mountain https://www.yelp.com/biz/bell-mountain-hiawassee last week, I would say that Bald Rock Heritage Preserve is the cousin of it. Graffiti mountain, I call it. Although I am not sure that graffiti is welcome on Bald Rock like it is on Bell Mountain. I saw a lot of profanity on Bald Rock. Nevertheless, I think it's an easy overlook. There is really no hike though. Unless you want to get your fitness on, you could hike down below and and walk a bit and come back up, otherwise, not much going on. You do get a gorgeous view of Table Rock. There is parking. However, no big signs or anything. I almost passed it. You will see a small wooden bridge leading you there. For what it is, it is worth a stop. 90/2017 read more

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We stopped here for some amazing views as the first visit of our Off-the-Grid UYE hiking series. (Thanks to Richard R and Jamarcus T for planning). As I said, the views are amazing. If you're in the area, stop! If you're not in the area, I'm not sure it's worth it...there is graffiti everywhere, plenty of discarded glass, no real designated parking area, tagged generic state park signs with little to no information, no clear trail, no trash cans, no benches, no water. It's essentially a glorified overlook that's taken more than enough abuse. read more

Bald Rock Heritage Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Cleveland, South Carolina

Let me forewarned anyone coming here that this ginormous exposed granite outcrop is riddled with graffiti. Nearly every square inch of its surface seems to have spray paint and it has been like this since we first began coming here in 2010. The first time I saw it I was grieved that someone would see this as a piece of paper to be written on rather that an opportunity to experience the amazing views and beauty of the surroundings. However, like anything in life, when you see something often enough you sort of become immune to it. I've brought countless out-of-town visitors here from our home in northeast metro Atlanta because it is only about a 2-hour drive to get to these impressive mountain views and waterfalls. I've seen it so many times that I don't really even pay attention to the graffiti anymore. However, this was the first visit for my sister and her husband, so they took notice rather quickly. As you climb the mountain along Hwy 276 you will come to a small pull-off parking area. Ounce you are out of your vehicle, you will cross a wooden footbridge and immediately begin to climb uphill on the bald granite surface of this mountain. No doubt the graffiti will catch your eye, which was a good thing for my sister. She was so upset by the graffiti that she didn't notice the view until she was at the top of the granite where the scenery is the best. I wish I'd had my camera ready when her jaw dropped! It was a priceless expression on her face to see views like that for the very first time. It is that very look that makes me bring people here time and time again. Then fear overtook her because it does indeed LOOK like you could easy fall to your death, but in reality you can walk the granite all the way down to the base. There are of course a few steep areas to avoid, but common sense will kick in for most people. Views of the nearby granite dome known as Table Rock as well as the nearby foothills and distant mountain ranges are spectacular. It is an especially amazing place to visit in the fall season when the leaves are turning colors in mid to late October. FACTS - The size of the preserve is 165 acres - The elevation is only 1719 feet, but feels much grander. - Two threatened plant species live here: Piedmont Ragwort and Grass-of-Parnassus. - Rare animal species that live here include the New England cottontail, Woodrat and Northern Long-eared Bat. - It is part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. - There are no signs, so you must watch for the parking area. FINAL THOUGHTS Even if you have a fear of heights (like my scary sister), you will most likely not have an anxiety attack. The granite outcrop is massive and you can walk as far as you feel comfortable. What you will notice is the further you walk towards what looks like the edge, the more you realize the slope is not as steep as it seems initially. However, no matter where you stand, get ready for incredible views. If you are driving up from Atlanta or other nearby cities I recommend making a day of it by also visiting Caesar's Head State Park and the waterfalls of Dupont State Forest: Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, High Falls, Grassy Creek Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. NOTE: Movie buffs will be interested to know that Hunger Games and Last of the Mohicans were filmed here using some of these waterfalls and surrounding forest. 2016/22 read more

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I mentioned when I first saw the Bald Rock Heritage Preserve, that it looked like a post apocalyptic stone mountain, who's surface had been covered with graffiti and trashed. Yep, there's graffiti. Yep, there's broken glass bottles spread all around. Nope, this ain't a hiking destination. What Bald Rock Heritage Preserve is though, is a peak into some truly breath taking views that i'll wager that not many people know about. Table rock, seen directly to your right as you walk out onto the granite outcrop, is front and center, but man, those trees, especially when they change colors...and the mountain range below is something special. You have to look for bald rock heritage preserve, because there's not any huge you are here signs. It's just a small clearing along the side of the road off of Highway 276, with a few fallen trees, and a small wooden bridge you can quite literally drive right past without even knowing it. I don't want you to come here expecting a grand hike that ends with this view, or expect something clean like stone mountain park near Atlanta. I just want you to take a seat on the graffiti covered surface, see the birds soar, appreciate the sound of no traffic or people, and soak in the views. Cool, isn't it? read more

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Beautiful stop off 276. There aren't many signs directing you where to pull off but there is a small gravel pull in lot (able to hold about 10 cars) that marks the entrance. Gorgeous views cascade the easy, rocky walk out. Yes, there is graffiti on the rock, however I think this is what makes the spot unique. To the right of the look out is a small river with tiny waterfall that you can hear from the rock. Definitely skip the stop if it is raining or wet, areas that were wet were definitely slippery, and you wouldn't want to slip and fall down this rock. read more

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Bald rock is a worthwhile pit stop to other hikes. You'll find amazing views here. The graffiti makes this place unique and fun for pictures. You can walk pretty far down the rock to find interesting graffiti artwork. A few things: - wear closed toed shoes as there is glass on the ground. - be careful after it rains, I imagine the rock will be slippy read more

The view from Bald Rock is gorgeous, and there is a substantial area to walk around. Unfortunately, it hasn't been preserved too well, as much of the rock face has been spray painted. It's still worth a stop though! read more

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This was a pretty cool place to stop & check out the view. It really is a great place to enjoy a breeze & views for miles. Just don't look down. Nature deserves respect but unfortunately this location has been graffitied to death with the addition of trash scattered about. Also, I saw remnants of a bonfire & some other gross stuff. I enjoy the graffiti I see in Atlanta, but these were tags for the most part, really nothing of value. It's unfortunate the guardians of this park have let it get to this state. For other information: There's a very small free public parking area where someone decided to take up a couple of spots selling boiled peanuts & other junk foods. Also, I wouldn't think this is the safest spot for children because the edge of the overlook isn't fenced off. Read: You can fall off if you're not careful! read more

A beautiful place to easily walk out onto to see the most breathtaking views. The graffiti is there but somehow adds to the uniqueness of a place in nature that is not over-regulated. People clean up after themselves for the most part as well. The sunsets there are absolutely gorgeous as are the moon rises. I wish I had photos to capture it better than the couple I uploaded. You can walk around and down the mountain - those who comment that you can fall off just haven't walked to the edge to see you can walk down it, though it is not a place to allow children to run around (like any mountain wilderness area). People come just before sunset and sit (quietly usually) and watch with their special person or bring their supper to eat. It is a shared experience but still private. We have kept it a secret as much as possible here in SC and it is not marked, but you will see on your right where it is on your drive up to Caesar's Head. Just don't tell anyone about it. :) read more

Bald Rock Heritage Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Cleveland, South Carolina

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Personally I think the graffiti makes this even more beautiful. It's basically a testament to how many people have been here before you, and it just amazes me to see how everyone leaves their mark. What people write/draw can say a lot about who they are. It's like little intimate glances into everybody's lives. Then of course, the rock itself is absolutely amazing. I cannot get over how big it is. And the views are fantastic. Off to your 10 o'clock is some city which we were unable to identify, but it was big enough of a city that you could see their skyline that far away. Maybe Marietta? To our 2 o'clock was what appeared to be a smaller forest fire. Too big to be somebody's chimney, but not big enough to burn the whole woods down either. You can walk all the way to the base, and then either come back up the way you went, or head toward your right and scale the extremely steep, sheer rock wall to get back to the top. Which is the way I went. Let's just say I'm not quite as in shape as I had thought. Once back at the top, if you walk backwards a little bit and to your right, you'll find some foot trails leading down to that stream you first crossed over while leaving the parking lot. Down there, its current has picked up a little bit of momentum and creates a small waterfall. All in all, this whole experience is amazing. read more