Top Fall Activities

Visit Oconee County, SC in Autumn and Enjoy These Top Fall Activities!

1. Cool Weekend Getaways

Chilly weather means there are fewer people, fewer bugs, and more reasons to be outdoors! Pitch a tent or park your RV at one of the terrific county parks or state parks located in Oconee County. Or cozy up at one of our unique stays so you can spend the night(s) and play longer! It’s amazing how many cool places you’ll find to rent for the weekend throughout Oconee County. Unique tree houses, lake houses, mountain cabins, sunny retreats, and more.

2. Leaf Looking

Beginning in early October, our vast hardwood forests start to shift from green to autumn colors. By the middle of the month, Leaf Lookers are wowed by orange, yellow, and red leaves galore! View our article about fall leaf sightseeing that includes an interactive foliage prediction map and suggested fall leaf driving routes that will lead to roads known for their vibrant views. Even after the leaves have peaked, the forest remains showy and once the leaves have fallen you’ll be able to see further through the trees.

3. Street Parties and Fall Festivals

Seneca’s Jazz on the Alley continues on Thursday nights through October. Westminster hosts October events including Music on Main and the South Carolina Bigfoot Festival which take place downtown on Main Street. The Bigfoot Festival will feature live music, speakers, Bigfoot tales, food and craft vendors, contests and children’s activities. The third week of October is when the town of Walhalla celebrates its German heritage with the annual Oktoberfest. This will be the 44th year for the the weekend festival–which takes place at Sertoma Field. Come experience polka music, Bavarian dancers, German beer, arts and craft vendors, carnival rides, fireworks and more! If you’re interested in learning about Walhalla’s German heritage, the Oconee History Museum offers an in depth look at Why We Celebrate: Oktoberfest.

4. Forest Hikes

This time of year is perfect for traipsing through the woods. The forest landscape is ablaze with color, and cooler temperatures mean being active is even more invigorating. There are dozens of hiking trails on public land throughout Oconee County, and many trails will lead you to amazing waterfalls.

5. Trout Fishing

Fall and winter in Oconee County are prime times to go fishing! Lake Jocassee and the Chattooga River are well known to anglers looking to catch trout. Head out alone or go with local fishing guides who will do their best to ensure you have a fresh catch to take home for dinner. We recommend Chattooga River Fly Shop, Jocassee Lake Tours, Jocassee Charters, and Southern Outlaw Adventures.

6. Soak Up the Water Scene

Whether you enjoy bundling up for a motor boat ride on one of our lakes or prefer to self-power your own craft on the Chattooga River, it’s a great season to get on the water! This time of year, temperatures are generally mild and pleasant. Public parking areas are less crowded, and the shoreline views from the water are glorious and picturesque. Simply enjoying peace in natural scenic settings makes visiting this time of year especially memorable!

7. Let Loose in Long Creek

Spend an afternoon getting a taste of Life in Long Creek where you’ll be surrounded by national forest. Book a zipline adventure with Chattooga Ridge Canopy Tours for a chance to see the colors up close and personal. For a 1/2 mile, you’ll whiz through the air, land on 2 sky bridges, experience 10 zip lines plus 4 zips across Academy Lake and end with a 1,100-foot zip launch from a bell tower. If you’re in town on the weekend, don’t miss lunch and the scenic view at Chattooga Belle Farm! If time allows, stop by the Distillery to sample their selection of seasonal spirits made from fruit grown on the farm. Willie’s Tavern, over at Chattooga River Lodge is a comfortable atmosphere and they often have live music.

8. Shop Seasonal Markets

Walhalla is hosting a Merchant Market & Craft Fair where local shops will have fall deals and discounts along with food, music and kids activities. With cooler temperatures, we’re more likely to be home indoors, which is comforting especially when surrounded by autumn scents and seasonal treats! Stop by roadside markets in Long Creek, SC for locally grown apples, baked goods and yummy products to take home so you can savor the taste of autumn as long as possible.

9. Patronize the Arts

Fall is a super time to slow down and appreciate artistic places. You can create your own itinerary with self guided drives to see large-scale works of art along Oconee’s Mural Trail or the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail. Gateway Arts Center in Westminster, and The Blue Ridge Arts Center in Seneca, both offer exhibits and classes with seasonal focus. For those who enjoy musical entertainment, check our Events page for a great lineup of music and entertainment options scheduled this fall.

10. Creep it real with Halloween happenings

Our towns get into the spooky spirit with events planned for kids and kids at heart! There’s Halloween on the Green in Seneca, WalhallOWEEN! and Boo in the Bay in Walhalla, as well as Westminster’s Boo On Main. For a real treat, drive up to Oconee State Park on October 28th and stroll through the campground to see how the campsites and RVs go over the top with Halloween decorations!