Vacation Destination
Updated 8/16/2009
This page is still (constantly) under development. More to come!
Introduction
Make The Happy Berry part of your vacation destination!
Upstate SC is an outdoor recreation playground. This region offers numerous Duke Power and County parks and 155,000 acres to explore. Lake Keowee is within minutes of the farm and we are a reasonable drive from any recreation you choose. The following list is by no means all inclusive, and we obviously have not personally experienced all of these services ourselves. We provide the following only as a resource for you as you plan your next vacation.
For a brochure on "Tour Pickens County" and other information, call or visit the following Chambers of Commerce:
SC Heritage Corridor - Places to Go/Things to Do
Discover Upcountry Carolina Association
Pendleton District Commission
Anderson Convention & Visitors Bureau
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Anderson County lies on the shores of Lake Hartwell, one of the most popular lakes in the Southeast. The lake is 56,000 acres big, with more than 900 miles of shoreline, making us a paradise for fishing and boating. Our county is studded with landmarks from its past, including historic Pendleton, the Woodburn & Ashtabula historic homes and the Anderson County Museum. The South Carolina National Heritage Corridor travels through Anderson County as part of its 240 mile route through our state. We're also a great place to tee it up-our 11 golf courses are open all year.
Rafting
Places to Stay
- Walhalla Liberty Lodge Bed and Breakfast and Willow Room Dining. A beautiful 1884 Victorian Manor built in the Blue Ridge Foothills. The Inn offers large comfortable rooms on 10 surrounding acres with walking trails, Olympic size pool and a wrap around veranda. Evening dining on Thursday through Saturday and Sunday 11 till 2. Chef Patsy Sims. Orchard,leisure trail and child tree house. Email misslibertylane@aol.com or sclibertylodge@aol.com. 864-638-8239 or 864-723-5626. 105 Liberty Lane Walhalla, SC 29691.
- Rocky Retreat. Built in 1849. Is locally known as the Boone-Douthit Haus. Is a bed and breakfast located not far from Sandy Springs or Pendleton, about 20 miles south of The Happy Berry. It was used as a summer retreat to escape malaria problem in Charleston.
- Sunrise Farm was part of a 100-acre cotton plantation in the early 1900s with beautiful views of Lake Keowee and the Mountains. Although it is only a couple of miles as the crow flies to the Happy Berry, by road, it's about 15 miles.
- Hartwell Vacation Rentals offers 1-2 bedroom cabins as well as dock access. Cabins are in South Carolina near Fairplay. 770-554-0757.
- Harbor View of Lake Keowee. 2 bedroom, 1 bath cabins overlooking Lake Keowee. Fully furnished, including linens. Weekend, weekly and monthly rentals. 864-650-5214 or Lsmobley@adelphia.net.
- Keowee Key Rentals. Lake Keowee accommodations within 10 minutes of The Happy Berry. Condos offer a comfortable setting along the shore of Lake Keowee. While visiting thier accommodations, you can enjoy the many amenities available, such as golfing, boating, country club dining, indoor and outdoor pools, along with walking trails. For more information, contact reservations at 1-800-537-5253.
- The Cabins offers Lake Hartwell lake front rentals near Fair Play, SC. Features include spa and dock. They are fully equipped, including linens. Call Sandy Felton at 864-972-1508 for more information.
Golf Courses
- Boscobel Country Club. Yards 6366, Par 71, 6900 Hwy 76, Pendleton, SC 29670. 864-646-3991
- Southern Oaks Golf Course. Yards 6710, Par 72, 105 Southern Oaks, Easley, SC 29642. 864-859-6698
- Woodhaven Golf Course. Yards 3160- 9 hole, Par 29, 215 Woodhaven Dr, Pedleton, SC 29670. 864-646-9511
- Falcon's Lair. Yards 6866, Par 72/74, 1308 Falcons Dr, Walhalla, SC 29691. 864-638-0000
- The Rock at Jocassee. 171 Sliding Rock Road, Pickens, SC 29671. 864-878-2030
- The Walker Course. Yard 6911, Par 72, 110 Madren Dr, Clemson, SC 29634. 864-656-0236
- Pickens Country Club. Yards 6220, Par 72, 1018 Country Club Road, Pickens, SC 29671. 864-878-6083
Gristmills
There are four gristmills in Pickens County. Several are only open one day a month, so be sure to check them out before making your plans.
- Hagood Mill
- Yoder's at Meece Mill. yodersatmeecemill@juno.com
- Golden Creek Mill. goldencreek@msn.com
- Issaqueena Corn Mill
Hiking Trails
There are lots of hiking trails in the area. Check out an overview of some of the available trails. For example:
- Cherokee Interpretive Trail [1/4 mile] but very interesting
- Town Creek Trail [2.5 miles]
- Sassafras Mountain [rugged]
- Treaty Oak Trail [0.4 miles]
- SC Botanical Garden [3.4 mile loop at Clemson University]
- Ridge trail [3.3 miles]
- Mill Creek Pass Trail [0.7 miles]
- Indian Creek [0.9 mile]
- Foothills Trail [80 miles]
- Raven Rock Trail [4.2 miles]
- Natural Bridge Trail [1.5 mile loop]
- Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve Trail [1.7 one way]
- Table Rock Trail [3.4 miles, one way, strenuous]
- Pinnacle Mountain[3.3 miles, one way]
- Carrick Creek Loop Trail [1.8 miles]
- Jocassee Gorges Passage of the Palmetto Trail [12.5 miles]
In addition, many of the state parks (see below) offer hiking trails. There must be about 60 trails in all in the area.
Other Outdoor Recreation
Jocassee Outdoor Center. 864-944-9016 for information and directions. Services include boat rentals, kayak rentals, paddle boats, scuba equipment, guided lake tours, fishing guide services, hiking trail shuttles and across the lake shuttles, hiking guides, boat storage and boat services...so all you have to do is show up!
Waterfalls
There are numerous waterfalls, including Eastatoe and Laurel Fork Falls.
Hunting and Fishing
Much of the area is in SC wildlife management zones.
To find fish attractor sites installed by Department of Natural Resources (DNR) using your GPS, go here. To find what baits, depth to fish, and where, check out the SC DNR freshwater fishing report. (Personal note — The Berry Bunch has been residents in the area for 30+ years, and every time we have checked, they have been right on target. In fact, if in doubt, we typically check what they say. It is done by DNR and is updated weekly. Covers Keowee and Jocassee [as well as other area lakes], but because the two lakes are a pump back, they sometimes slip and just call it Keowee.)
Trail Rides
- Eden Farms offers trail rides, lessons, wagon rides, boarding, and therapeutic riding.
- Table Rock Equestrian Center. 864-878-2896. Offers guided trail rides in around Pinnacle Mountain and adjacent to Table Rock State Park.
- White Water Equestrian Center. 828-966-9646. They also offer fly fishing and gem hunting.
- Chattooga Ridge Stables. Pat Mc Ewen. 230 Beulah Land Dr, Mountain Rest, SC 29644. Call 864-638-9479. Trail rides for beginners to experienced.
County Parks
- Mile Creek Park is probably the closest park to The Happy Berry, about ½ mile as the crow flies but about 7 miles by car. They have 69 campsites, three picnic shelters, a recreation building and numerous picnic sites. Phone: 864-868-2196.
- High Falls is the next closest about 12 miles away from the Happy Berry on the west side of Lake Keowee. They have 2 tennis courts, 1 rental building, 2 picnic shelters, and 130 camp and RV sites with power and water, dump station, bath house, boat ramp, putt-putt golf, ice, and concession store. 864-882-8234.
- South Cove is about 25 miles from the Happy Berry at the south end of Lake Keowee very near Seneca. It has 4 tennis courts, putt-putt golf, 1 rental building and 1 picnic shelter, and 80 camp/RV sites with all the amenities, boat ramp, and dock. 882-5250.
- Chau Ram is about 40 miles from The Happy Berry at the confluence of the Chauga River and Ramsey Creek with 40 waterfalls and a suspension bridge. It has 28 campsites with amenties, no boat ramp, 4 picnic shelters, and a white water slalom course. Many use it to access the nearby Chattooga River. Designated as a National Wild and Scenic River. Check out Nantahala Outdoor Center and Wildwater Rafting Company. 864-647-9286.
State Parks
There are 8 state parks within reach of The Happy Berry. The websites give all the details but reservations are made through a statewide system.
- Caesars Head State Park/Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area is about 30 miles from The Happy Berry. It has 24 primitive campsites, 13 trails, and an informative visitor center.
- Devils Fork State Park is on the southwestern edge of lake Jocassee, about 30 miles from The Happy Berry.
- Jones Gap State Park/Mountain Bridge Wilderness area has 24 trail-side campsites and 8 hiking trails and is about 45 miles away from The Happy Berry.
- Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area has a very interesting Cherokee Indian museum, only one rental cabin with private dock, but is on Lake Keowee about 15 miles from The Happy Berry.
- Lake Hartwell State Recreation Area is about 50 miles from The Happy Berry, about ½ mile off of I-85 near the SC-GA border. Lake Hartwell’s higher nutrient content supports better fishing than the more pristine Lakes Keowee and Jocassee.
- Oconee State Park is about 35 miles from the Happy Berry and has cabins, campsites, 8 hiking trails, and 2 fishing lakes.
- Oconee Station State Historic Site has two historic structures and no cabins or campsites but does offer guided tours at selected hours.
- Table Rock State Park has 94 campsites and 15 cabins and lots of amenities, a popular proposal and wedding site, Lake Olenooy, and is about 20 miles from The Happy Berry.
Museums and Historic Sites
- World of Energy. A fun 2-3 hours to learn about nuclear energy. Includes interactive walking tour, educational computer games, a fission chamber, tour the operator training simulator, and/or take a picnic lunch while enjoying a lake view of Lake Keowee. They also have a nature trail. Hours 9-5 Mon.-Sat. and 12 noon to 5 on Sunday unless there is elevated terrorist threat. Admission free. 864-885-4600 or 800-777-1004. Rochester Hwy, Seneca, SC.
- Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls. Admission free, self-guiding only but a very interesting couple of hours. The tunnel is part of 1850 dream of a rail line from Charleston to Cincinnati. It is located on Hwy 28 between Walhalla and Route 107. Picnic facilities available. Walhalla Chamber of Commerce has information. wchamber@nuvox.net or 864-638-2727. A large picnic shelter can be reserved at 864-638-4343 for a fee.
- Campbell Geology Museum. At Clemson University near the Botanical Gardens. Gems, rocks, family programs, and fossils are featured.
- Pendleton District Agricultural Museum is available by appointment only. Call first. It is a 6000 square foot facility with pre-1925 farm equipment, tools with Indian and local history artifacts. Located on US Highway 76 across from Tri-County Technical College. 864-646-3782.
- Woodburn Plantation is open on Saturday or Sunday afternoons or by special arrangement. Call first. It is a house museum built about 1830 by Charles Cotesworth Pickney, and it contains period furnishings and historic items. $5.00 admission fee. 864-646-7249.
- Ashtabula House is open on Sunday afternoon or by appointment, was built in the 1820s, and contains many fine period furnishings and historic items. Call first. Admission $5.00. 864-646-7249.
- Oconee Heritage Center is open Tue, Thur, & Fri 12–5 and Sat 10–3 PM as an archive, educational facility, and museum of the county’s history. It is located in the historic Walhalla Tobacco warehouse and it offers a glimpse of Oconee’s past. 864-638-2224.
- Fort Hill is the home of statesman John C. Calhoun and later his son, Thomas Green Clemson. It is in the heart of the Clemson University campus, and it was the deeding of this plantation that started Clemson University. 864-656-2475.
- Hanover House was the home of the French Huguenot Paul de St. Julien, was built in 1716 in Berkley County, SC, and moved to Clemson in 1941. 864-656-2475.
- Campbell Museum of Natural History is located in the heart of the Clemson University campus. The Vertebrate Curator representing carnivores of SC, 1600 to the present, is Stanley Miller (snmll@clemson.edu) and the Patrick Miller (pmcmill@clemson.edu) is the Herbarium Curator. Both can be contacted by leaving voice mail at 864-656-3456. The building is open 8 to 4:30, and Tuesday or Thursday is best for guided tours. Get a parking permit from the Visitor Center. 864-656-2475.
Local Artists
- Nancy Basket makes kudzu and pine needle baskets and stationary handpressed from kudzu leaves. 1105 East Main Street, Walhalla, SC 29601. 864-718-8864. Hours: 10-4 M-Sat.
- Heirlooms and Comforts. 864-639-9507. 104 Madden Bridge Rd, Central, SC 29630. Has quilts.
Local Food
Our belief is that local farms like ours are important to the community and ultimately provide an essential environmental service for the future of our planet. Not to mention it is a fun and healthy outing for families! Please check our list of other farms and local food providers in our area.
Jocassee Gorges Resource List
For Happy Berry customers wishing to explore the area.
