Outdoors

Opportunities galore for exploring outdoors…

In Oconee County, SC the great outdoors includes access to 200+ miles of trails, 29 waterfalls, 200,000 acres of Sumter National Forest, 4 lakes, 4 state parks and 3 county parks!

Travel Tip:

ARRIVE EARLY

Especially if you are coming to enjoy a day on Lake Jocassee or Lake Keowee.

Parking at lake public access points is limited.

Devils Fork State Park–the only public access for Lake Jocassee–is a very popular destination. Depending on the season, the parking lot gets full early in the day. If you’re not there by 9:30AM, you will likely be turned away.

Roads near Lake Keowee have been experiencing heavy traffic. We strongly discourage parking in private neighborhoods along the lake.

Note: The restaurants listed below offer outside seating.

Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park

Walhalla, SC
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Dual-use hiking & biking trails in Stumphouse Park ($5 entry fee per vehicle). 22 trails suitable for different experience levels. The Mountain Bike Park can be accessed from trailheads at both ends of Stumphouse Passage, but the easiest access is via the parking lot for Issaqueena Falls. Bike trail is closed on rainy days. Users are cautioned to follow trail direction signs.

Stumphouse Park

Walhalla, SC
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The Park includes: Stumphouse Tunnel, Issaqueena Falls, the Stumphouse Passage of the Palmetto Trail, Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park and Blue Ridge Railroad hiking trail. Picnic tables, rental event pavilion, portable restrooms. There is a park entrance fee of $5 per vehicle/$10 per bus. (Annual passes may be purchased online or in person from the City of Walhalla.)

Stumphouse Passage of the Palmetto Trail

Walhalla, SC
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The Stumphouse Passage is accessible from the center of Stumphouse Park ($5 entry fee per vehicle). Stumphouse Passage is dual-use with a 1.5 mile hiking trail and 9.34 miles of mountain bike trails. This is one of three Passages of the Palmetto Trail that are located in Oconee County. The Palmetto Trail stretches over 500 miles across SC from the upstate to the coast near Charleston.

Stumphouse Tunnel

Walhalla, SC
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Located within Stumphouse Park ($5 entry fee per vehicle). The Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel was part of the Blue Ridge Railroad project, an 1850s attempt to link the port of Charleston to the cities of the Midwest by rail. The Civil War and subsequent collapse of the state’s economy brought construction to an end and the tunnel was never completed. Family-friendly 1/4 mile walk into the tunnel (flashlight recommended), park picnic shelter and outdoor bathrooms nearby.

Tamassee DAR BBQ Cookoff

The Briar Patch of Oconee

Westminster, SC
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The Briar Patch is a world class dual slalom mountain biking course with a straight shot view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The Farmhouse Coffee Exchange

Seneca, SC
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Casual cozy coffee shop in Applewood Shopping Center. Open Monday – Saturday.

The Gauge Coffeehouse

Long Creek, SC
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Serving coffee, espresso, homemade muffins, bagles, biscuits and homemade ice cream. The bagels are made out of pizza dough from their sister restaurant Humble Pie–they’re especially delicious! (The Chattooga Whitewater Shop and retail store are located in the same building.)

The Grill at Clemson Marina

Seneca, SC
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Offering fast casual food and drinks in an open air, relaxed environment, The Grill at Clemson Marina is the answer to many boaters’ requests for food accessible by boat on the Clemson end of Lake Hartwell. Open Friday-Sunday for lunch and dinner.

The Keowee Vineyards Equestrian Center

Sunset, SC
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This 10-stall barn offers facilities and programs geared toward enjoying access to more than 200 miles of scenic riding trails through the Jocassee Gorges State Park. Equestrian center and rides are available to members and guests of The Cliffs.