The Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway is both a scenic drive and the main route to some of South Carolina’s top state parks. Don’t miss out on the four-season fun of camping, hiking, fishing and exploring nature at these treasured places.
Photo by SCPRT
LAKE HARTWELL STATE PARK
19138 S. Hwy. 11, Fair Play
(864) 972-3352; southcarolinaparks.com/lake-hartwell
Known for:
- Outstanding fishing. Striped and hybrid bass, largemouth bass, crappie, bream and catfish inhabit this 56,000-acre lake.
- Camping. In addition to 115 paved campsites for RV or tent camping along the lakeshore, the park is the only one in the state to offer single-room camper cabins.
Insider tip:
“A lot of people come in for Clemson football games,” says ranger Brooks Garrett. “They'll bring their campers in, stay for the weekend and go tailgating.”
Oconee State Park
Photo by SCPRT
624 State Park Road, Mountain Rest
(864) 638-5353; southcarolinaparks.com/oconee
Known for:
- History and “parkitecture.” This park and its distinctive wood and stone buildings were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression. A monument honors those who served in the CCC between 1933 and 1942.
Insider tip:
Bring closed-toe shoes and extra energy for the strenuous, three-hour hike on Hidden Falls Trail, and you’ll be rewarded with an awesome view of the 60-foot cascade, says assistant park ranger Savanna Kelley. “You can see the waterfall more in the fall than any other season.”
Devils Fork State Park
Photo by SCPRT
161 Holcombe Circle, Salem
(864) 944-2639; southcarolinaparks.com/devils-fork
Known for:
- Lake Jocassee. Four mountain streams and several waterfalls flow into the 7,565-acre lake, making it cool year-round and one of the state’s top trout-fishing spots.
- Leaf peeping. Fall color doesn’t get any prettier than this.
Insider tip:
During peak leaf season, bring a boat for an amazing display, says park ranger Kevin Evans. “Just get out on the lake and look at all the levels of color change. You can see the progression of fall by viewing the different elevations.”
Keowee-Toxaway State Park
Photo by SCPRT
108 Residence Drive, Sunset
(864) 868-2605; southcarolinaparks.com/keowee-toxaway
Known for:
- Lake Keowee. The 18,500-acre lake is surrounded by stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- Wildflowers. They are abundant, especially in spring, and include two rare species—the Allegheny spurge and ginseng.
Insider tip:
“It’s a pretty park, but you really have to get out on the hiking trails,” says park ranger Kevin Blanton. Camping? He suggests the No. 3 trailside site. “It’s located out on a finger of land surrounded by Lake Keowee.”
Table Rock State Park
Photo by SCPRT
158 Ellison Lane, Pickens
(864) 878-9813; southcarolinaparks.com/table-rock
Known for:
- Table Rock. The towering mountain offers breathtaking views if you can master the strenuous hike to the top.
- Bluegrass music. The “Music on the Mountain” program takes place in the park lodge from 2 to 6 p.m. the second Saturday of each month.
Insider tip:
Ranger Scott Stegenga recommends the guided Sunrise Hikes up Table Rock to watch the full moon disappear from the sky before the sun appears on the horizon. “It’s a long hike, but it’s worth it once you get up there. To sit and take in all the surrounding wilderness, watch the sky change, hear the birds awake, to witness the breaking of a new day—it’s just an exhilarating time,” he says. There is a $25 per person fee and registration is required. The next hikes will be Sept. 22 and Oct. 19.
Caesars Head State Park
Photo by Keith Phillips
8155 Geer Highway, Cleveland
(864) 836-6115; southcarolinaparks.com/caesars-head
Known for:
- The scenic overlook. Perched 3,200 feet above sea level, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view that extends into North Carolina and Georgia.
- Hawk watch. From September through November, migratory hawks rise and soar over the park. Visitors can help track the birds as part of the Hawk Watch program.
- Sixty-plus miles of challenging hiking trails with trailside camping. The popular Raven Cliff Falls Trail leads to the tallest waterfall in the state.
Insider tip:
Don’t forget to look down, says Tim Lee, an interpretive ranger for the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area that encompasses both Caesars Head and Jones Gap state parks. “There are a lot of beautiful fall wildflowers that bloom along our trails.”
Jones Gap State Park
Photo by SCPRT
303 Jones Gap Road, Marietta
(864) 836-3647; southcarolinaparks.com/jones-gap
Known for:
- Beautiful waterfalls. Hikers can visit five of the state’s top falls in the park.
Insider tip:
Some of the best fishing for wild trout can be found on the Middle Saluda River, a designated scenic waterway that runs through the park, says ranger Tim Lee. “You get a true wilderness experience where you feel that you are the only person out there. It’s just you and the river.”
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Seven must-see stops on scenic Hwy. 11—Our Fall & Winter Travel Guide leads you to be the best roadside attractions and local color on the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway. (link to main story)
More roadside attractions—Five more “only in S.C.” attractions along the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway.