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.
Peace of Pie on Hartwell
Pizza, calzones, salads, wings, burgers, beer. Open Tuesday – Saturday.
Pigpen Falls & Licklog Falls
Perfect falls for a young family. An easy one-hour hike to two sets of falls 1/4 mile apart. Pigpen will be the first falls on the left with a great swimming hole. Licklog is a short distance further on the right, and a little more difficult to view if leaves are out. Continue on the trail a few more minutes to the Chattooga River. Nice place to swim and picnic. GPS coordinates to parking area: N 34.91905 W 083.12020
Presst Food & Wine
Wholesome soup, sandwiches, wraps, salads and bowls. Lunch Tuesday-Saturday 11am-3pm.
Puerto Nuevo
Mexican restaurant serves lunch and dinner 7 days a week.
Ramsey Creek Falls
Beautiful 40ft. cascade over large boulders where Ramsey Creek and Chauga River meet. The falls is located inside Chau Ram County Park where a $3 parking fee applies. Lower parking lot provides roadside viewing. Good wading pond at foot of falls. Excellent swimming just a short, easy walk from the falls on well-marked and partially paved trail. Great place to camp and picnic. GPS coordinates to parking area: N 34.68171 W 083.14542
Riley Moore Falls
Once the site of a gristmill, this waterfalls measures 12 ft. high, 100 ft. wide and is a great family destination. Moderate 15-minute walk to falls, a tunnel to the left brings you up to the middle of the falls. Good swimming spot. GPS coordinates to parking area: N 34.74106 W 083.18535
Robinson Lake Front Lodge on Lake Jocassee
Salem, SC
Get Directions >
This cozy mountain lodge sleeps 10-12 and is located directly on Lake Jocassee. House includes a dock with a newly extended ramp and tie up for boats. Amenities: 4 queen bedrooms, sofas, 3 baths, fireplace in living area, deck w/ gas grill, screened porch, covered patio, and boat dock.
Rocky Gap Horse Trails
19 miles of horse trails in the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina. Willis Knob Trail in Georgia combines to offer some of the most scenic horseback riding in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Winding across deeply dissected ridges, the trails descend into the beautiful Chattooga Wild & Scenic River corridor.
Secret Falls
A two-fer waterfall opportunity. A treacherous path for adventurous, physically fit hikers, Winding Stairs Trail leads to this waterfall off the beaten path. Continue past clearing to view Cheohee/Miuka Falls. GPS Coordinates to parking area: N 34.94110 W 083.08975
Sertoma Field
Sertoma Field is a recreation complex for area sports activities. Two playgrounds, restrooms, walking track and disc golf course. The disc golf course wraps around a large hill and has a creek rolling through it. It is a nice course for casual players.
Shaver Rec Complex
Shaver Recreation Complex is a hub of area sports activities. Seven recreation fields, two gyms, walking trails, a climbing wall, playground, and the Seneca Disc Golf Course. An 18-hole disc golf course features tight fairways and a nice mix of elevation changes. Several holes have multiple pin placements. Course open year round is free to play. Random draw doubles Mondays in the summer at 6pm.
