Is Travelers Rest Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Updated On March 13, 2024
Travelers Rest, United States
Safety Index:
77
* Based on Research & Crime Data

Unlike some cities whose names leave a little to the imagination, Travelers Rest, South Carolina, got its name for being a place where travelers could rest for more than three centuries.

Whether you’re coming from or heading to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Travelers Rest is one of the coolest spots to stop along the way.

Even Southern Living magazine ranks it as one of the best small towns in the South.

What started as footpaths turned into roads stomped by horses and carriages and finally gave way to the interstate system and then the famed Blue Ridge Parkway.

The city is locally known as TR, and it’s within three hours of Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, and Asheville.

Even the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is less than two hours from TR.

The highest point in the state is less than an hour away.

This part of South Carolina is known as Upstate, and it is legendary for its stunning scenic drives and robust waterfalls blended with incredible fall foliage and spring blooms.

One of the best parts of TR is that it’s not just a series of restaurants and gas stations on the way to somewhere “better.”

It holds its own history and charm, without big box stores or chain restaurants.

You get a truly authentic experience in an idyllic small town.

Warnings & Dangers in Travelers Rest

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in Travelers Rest, with violent crime rates you can count on one hand and plenty of things to do for families, solo travelers, couples, and friend getaways.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Greenville's Greenlink bus transportation doesn't go all the way to TR. You'll need a rental vehicle to get to TR and then explore the surrounding region. Taxis and rideshares will be available, but the costs will add up quickly. The downtown area is walkable.

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

No pickpockets or purse snatchings have been reported in the past decade. I'd still use caution, especially when it comes to leaving personal items inside your vehicle when parked.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Treat this as a medium risk due to severe weather that can happen any time of the year. The biggest threat would be tornadoes. Flooding is another risk, especially since the water will drain from the mountains to the foothills. Winter can bring snow and ice storms, especially as you go higher in elevation toward the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK: LOW

No robberies have been reported since at least 2017. The risk is low.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

This is another low risk. As a small town in a rural area, you don't have to worry about terrorism, and even the risk of domestic terrorism or mass shootings would be low in a remote area such as this.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The most recent scams target the locals, with phone calls having a local area code. Scammers will pretend to be police officers and threaten arrest unless they are paid a bogus fine. The risk is low for visitors.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is also a low risk, as many businesses here cater to women, mothers, and families.

Tap Water Risk

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

No violations were reported in the most recent water quality report, and full compliance was achieved across the board. The risk is low. Travelers Rest is a great place to stock up on water during a road trip as well.

Safest Places to Visit in Travelers Rest

You can find all the tourism information on the city’s website, which makes it so convenient to get all the information in one place.

At the same time, the Greenville tourism website has a special section dedicated to Travelers Rest.

A great first stop is the Travelers Rest Historical Society Museum.

It is only open on weekends, but it’s worth planning your trip around if you’re a history buff.

A new museum at Spring Park Inn will be built.

It was a recent gift to the historical society.

Downtown Travelers Rest is the beating heart of this small South Carolina town.

With genuine Southern hospitality, you’ll be greeted like family.

You’ll find a variety of eateries offering everything from Southern comfort food to international cuisine.

The mix of specialty shops is one of my favorite parts of Travelers Rest.

You can get fine jewelry, woodwork, or souvenirs that are more stylish than schtick.

I also recommend checking the community event schedule before your visit, as the farmer’s markets and festivals are a great time!

Trailblazer Park is where most events happen, from summer concerts to fall harvest festivals.

Get out of the car and on a bike to explore 22 miles of the famed Swamp Rabbit Trail.

It goes between Greenville and TR, making it a great day trip for Greenville visitors, too.

Along the way, you’ll pass beaches, shops, and restaurants while enjoying long stretches of secluded woods along an old railroad line.

Find a refreshing stop at Otter Creek Waterpark, just seven miles east of TR.

The humidity and heat of the summer beg for a break at a watering hole, and this is the safest kind!

Ceasars Head State Park is just 30 minutes northwest, and it’s home to some of the best waterfalls in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

It sits on an escarpment, offering daring cliffs and challenging trails without the crowds you might find in other parks.

Trail lengths range from half a mile to almost six miles.

Among the wilderness areas surrounding TR, you can learn about places like Devils Kitchen or look for the Blue Ghost Firefly, the only place in the world you can find them.

There are really too many natural areas in this region to list here.

Most are state parks, but you should also look at Pisgah National Forest through the Forest Service and the Blue Ridge Parkway through the National Park Service.

Places to Avoid in Travelers Rest

You don’t have to worry about dangerous neighborhoods in Travelers Rest.

This is a safe area.

Crime rates are laughably low, but that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down.

The bigger risks and threats come from the decisions you make outdoors.

For example, avoid trying to climb the edge of a waterfall or getting too close to the ledge of a cliff.

You’d be surprised how many people try these dangerous activities.

Also, this is black bear country.

You can carry bear spray with you in the event you run into a bear.

Bears have been seen running through TR, but once you’re in the wilderness, your chances of a bear run-in greatly increase.

Avoid going into the woods without bear-proof containers and safety education on what to do if you spot a bear.

No grizzlies are in this region, so talk to a bear in a calm voice and back away slowly to de-escalate any issues.

However, if you try to feed or pet a bear, you are risking your life.

Also, use bug spray in the woods and always check your body for ticks after a hike.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Travelers Rest

  1. The local police department is Travelers Rest Police. You can follow them on Facebook @TravelersRestPD. To contact them with specific questions, call (864) 834-9029 or email travelersrestpd@gmail.com.
  2. Sign up for emergency alerts through the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. They use the CodeRED system, which most cities and counties use as well across the state. You don’t want to get caught in a storm while driving or hiking in this remote area.
  3. To that end, bring a NOAA weather radio with you on any hikes or campsites where you won’t get mobile service. The battery-powered device does need to be programmed after you buy it so that you get the right channels in the region.
  4. Anglers need a license from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. You can buy a license for a day, week, or year. In this part of the state, you’ll want a freshwater license.
  5. If you plan to visit a lot of the state parks during your trip, consider purchasing the All Parks Pass for $99. This gives access to all parks for a full year. Another option is a Seven-Day Passport that costs $65.
  6. Most of the state parks are pet friendly, but ensure your pet can behave on a leash and won’t make noise at a campground. Do not let dogs run free in the parks.
  7. Sassafrass Mountain is the highest peak in South Carolina at 3,560 feet. You don’t even have to make that much of an effort because you can drive to the top!
  8. Look up the Waterfall Keepers of South Carolina online to get specific safety tips for the various types of waterfalls in the state. Every year, people die or get seriously injured by ignoring the safest practices. You wouldn’t believe how slippery those rocks are around waterfalls.
  9. Don’t go hiking or too deep into the wilderness if there are storms in the forecast. Even the winds that precede a storm can cause trees to topple.
  10. Learn about poison ivy and wood nettle, two plants found in the wilderness that cause awful, painful rashes. The best advice is to wear long pants since the plants are so abundant, you will have a hard time avoiding them.

So... How Safe Is Travelers Rest Really?

Travelers Rest is a safe city, especially considering how many people drive through each year.

Violent crime rates are 96% lower than the state average.

In raw data, no more than five have happened in a year going back to 2019, and just two happened in 2022.

As a spot on a popular travel route, there are going to be drug crimes and other illegal activities happening.

In July 2023, the police department busted a drug house in TR.

The Facebook post read, “Our goal has always been to reduce criminal activity, particularly drug activity within our community.

Numerous firearms and drugs were seized as a result.”

Theft is one crime category that sticks out above the national average.

Part of that is misleading because the theft rate is figured by the number of crimes divided by the population and then factored into “per 100,000 people.”

Since the community is home to 8,000 people but tens of thousands more visit each year, the real rate is much smaller.

In addition, 54% of those thefts are related to shoplifting.

While you certainly don’t want to leave your car unlocked or your purse sitting in a cart while shopping, you can also reduce any risk using basic safety steps.

You are much more likely to find safety challenges in the wilderness, such as bringing a candy bar to snack on without a bear-proof container.

Bears smell exponentially better than humans, and even a few crumbs can bring them around.

Travelers Rest is a small town with a big personality, and I think you’ll enjoy savoring every second you can there.

How Does Travelers Rest Compare?

CitySafety Index
Travelers Rest77
Los Angeles56
Oakland57
New Orleans57
Baltimore56
Boston67
Washington DC56
Siem Reap (Cambodia)63
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)61
Niagara Falls (Canada)87
Calgary (Canada)82
Buenos Aires (Argentina)60
Vancouver (Canada)82

Useful Information

Visas

Visas

International visitors will need a visa, or they can see if they qualify for a visa waiver. Either way, you need a passport that doesn't expire within six months of your trip.

Currency

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar can be used here. Exchange currency in a larger city or opt to use credit cards instead of cash.

Weather

Weather

You'll get four robust seasons here, with a much more vibrant change of seasons than in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Always check the forecast before you pack because temperatures and weather conditions can change often. It's not uncommon to have unseasonably warm days followed by a cold front that dumps snow or rain. These fronts can also trigger severe weather. Bring bug spray.

Airports

Airports

Greenville Spartanburg International Airport is just 30 minutes from Travelers Rest. Asheville Regional Airport is 45 minutes away.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is the best investment for a trip that involves a lot of driving, outdoor risks, and potential weather disruptions.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Travelers Rest Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 6° C
Feb 9° C
Mar 13° C
Apr 17° C
May 22° C
Jun 26° C
Jul 27° C
Aug 26° C
Sep 23° C
Oct 18° C
Nov 12° C
Dec 8° C
Choose Temperature Unit

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High
°C
111418232731323128231713
Low
°C
1371116202221181263
High
°F
525764738188908882736355
Low
°F
343745526168727064544337

South Carolina - Safety by City

CitySafety Index
Aiken57
Beaufort67
Charleston70
Clemson76
Columbia68
Folly Beach68
Fort Mill78
Gaffney68
Greenville81
Hilton Head Island79
Isle of Palms81
Manning47
Mauldin77
Mount Pleasant78
Myrtle Beach65
North Augusta70
Orangeburg62
Pawleys Island82
Rock Hill63
Spartanburg48
St. Helena Island78
Sullivan’s Island80
Summerville78
Travelers Rest77
Walterboro68
West Columbia65

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