Take advantage of all Pickens has to offer, especially outdoors with the perfect backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. From youth sports with the recreation department to our stunning parks and trails to facility rentals for your next event, there is plenty to do and enjoy outside in Pickens.
Parks & Recreation
Facilities, Sports, Trails & More
Explore and Play In Pickens
Sports Leagues for All Ages
Children, youth, and adults are all encouraged to take part in the recreation opportunities the City of Pickens offers. Our youth leagues include football, baseball, softball, and tee ball in both Pickens and Dacusville. Depending on the time of year, adults will find leagues for volleyball and basketball.
Registration is handled through RecDesk, but you can reach out to Parks & Recreation Director Jonathon Morris with any questions or concerns.
Facility Rentals
We have incredible facilities that are open for the people of Pickens to utilize for their own events. To reserve your spot, utilize the reservation system on RecDesk. You’ll need to select the facility and check the calendar to make sure it’s available. After that, you’ll select the time slot and add it to your cart. You’ll need to create an account with RecDesk to check out and finalize your reservation.
Please call our Parks & Recreation Director Jonathon Morris with any questions at (864) 878-2296.
Our Parks & Trails
Get Outside and Enjoy Pickens
The Doodle Trail
The Doodle Trail, which begins at Address: 409 E. Cedar Rock Street Pickens, SC 29671, is a 7.5 mile rails-to-trails partnership between the City of Easley and the City of Pickens. The multi-use trail is open from dawn to dusk for biking, walking, running and rollerblading.
In 1890, the State of South Carolina issued a charter for the construction of a railroad between Easley and Oolenoy Gap, by way of Pickens. It became operational in 1898 and until 2013, the Doodle Line hauled a variety of commodities to and from Pickens and Easley, including food products, textiles, and automobile parts. Local residents nicknamed the railroad the “Pickens Doodle” line, because the freight engine could not be turned around and had to run backwards from Easley to Pickens, looking like a doodlebug.
Pickens Doodle Park
Pickens Doodle Park opened in June 2019 at the trailhead of the Doodle Trail in downtown Pickens. The park includes restroom facilities, a railroad depot museum, the AnMed Health Cannon Marketplace Pavilion, benches, bike racks and a train-themed playground.
Interested in renting out the AnMed Health Cannon Market Pavilion for an event? Follow this link to complete an online rental request through RecDesk or download this PDF form and submit it to City Hall.
The Town Creek Bike Park (located at 545 State Road S-39-190, Pickens SC 29671) is a premier off-road bicycling facility that is free to the public. The park is nearly 100 acres and located just one mile from historic downtown Pickens.
Town Creek Bike Park (TCBP) has an 8-foot wide paved trail called the “Appalachian Lumber Greenway” that follows most of the existing trail along the historic Appalachian Lumber Company railroad route. It provides a multi-use and ADA accessible path between the Pickens Recreation Center and the Playground of Promise.
TCBP is one of the first bike parks in the state that offers unique riding features designed to enhance the riders experience through education, challenge and environmental awareness.
Town Creek Bike Park Features
- 4,000 Foot FlowCoaster
- Dirt Jumps
- Wooden Rollers
- Raised Half Log Trails
- Pump Track and Earthen Bowl
- Berm turn wall rides
- Earthen Rollers
- Apex Over-Under Bridges
- Wooden Banked Turns
- Single Track
Location: 149 N. Homestead Road and/or 238 West Jones Avenue
The Town Creek meanders through the 23 acre Jaycee Park with access to both sides of the park made available via Collins Bridge. Jaycee Park adjoins Town Creek Trail and the 42 acres that encompass the Pickens Recreation Center and its fields.
The North Homestead Road side features Minor and Major fields, while the West Jones Avenue side features the Senior and Volunteer fields.
Picnic areas are free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis; however, reservations can be made with payment. For reservations or additional information, call 864-878-2296 or go to RecDesk to reserve online.
Jaycee Park Features
- Lighted Tennis Courts
- Picnic Pavillion
- 2 Lighted Youth Baseball Fields
- 1 Lighted Senior Baseball Field
- 1 Lighted Football field with grandstands and a pressbox
- Playground of Promise
- 2 Picnic Shelters
- Concessions
- Bathrooms
- 2 Parking Lots
Location: 114 W. Main Street, Pickens, SC 29671
Contact: 864.878.6421
Located in the heart of downtown Pickens, South Carolina, the Pickens Amphitheater serves as a vibrant hub for community gatherings, live performances, and cultural events. Situated at 114 W. Main Street, this outdoor venue offers a scenic setting that reflects the city’s motto, “Where the Mountains Begin.
Events & Entertainment
The Pickens Amphitheater hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including:
- Concert Series: Featuring local and regional artists across genres.
- Independence Day Celebration: A family-friendly event with live music, food vendors, and fireworks.
- Community Festivals: Such as the Pickens Appalachian Folk Festival, celebrating the area’s rich heritage.
See the full schedule of upcoming events.
Parking Information
Ample parking is available at and around the amphitheater, including:
- On-site parking at the amphitheater
- Main Street parking
- Pickens County Library (24 N. Catherine St.)
- Pickens County Courthouse (174 E. Cedar Rock St.)
Facility Rentals
The amphitheater is available for public rental. Rates start at $40 for a minimum of 2 hours, with incremental increases for additional hours. A cleanup fee may apply unless waived upon inspection by city staff.
We Keep Pickens Beautiful Together
Grounds Department
The Grounds Department has been combined with Parks & Recreation and is responsible for maintaining the landscape for many areas and facilities throughout the city, including:
- City Hall and Main Street
- Jaycee Park & Picnic Areas
- Playground of Promise
- Doodle Trail
- Town Creek Bike Park
- Pickens Senior Center
- Pickens Recreation Center & Recreation Fields
In addition to our landscaping responsibilities, we provide general maintenance for the Pickens Recreation Center and the restrooms located at Jaycee Park and the Town Creek Bike Park.
We take pride in our community and we realize it is a team effort. When enjoying our facilities, please use the trash receptacles provided. Let’s all do our part in keeping our town beautiful.
Contact the Parks & Recreation Department
Learn More About Rentals, Parks, or Sports
Whether you’ve got a question about recreation registration or renting a facility, we’re here to help! Reach out to our team for help with registrations, rentals, and to learn more about our trails and parks.