Waterfall Hero Hikes: Oconee State Park

Oconee State Park is a 1,165-acre park in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Oconee County. The park was constructed by the Civilian Conversation Corps during the Great Depression. In 1935, the park was donated to the state by Oconee County to become a state park. Today, the park has camping, rental cabins, a swim hole, picnic areas and several miles of hiking trails, including the Palmetto Trail and Foothills Trail.

Contact Information:

624 State Park Road
Mountain Rest, SC 29664

Phone: (864) 638-5353

Email: oconee@scprt.com

Directions:

From Walhalla, head west on SC-28 S for about 8 miles to the split with SC-107. Bear right onto SC-107 and drive 2.4 miles to the park entrance on the right.

Map:

Trails:

Hidden Falls Trail:

Length: 2.4 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Blaze: Yellow

Hidden Falls Trail follows Foothills Trail for about a mile then splits off and leads to a high waterfall on a small unnamed tributary.

Oconee Trail:

Length: 2.3 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Blaze: Green

Oconee Trail runs along the south end of the park. The western trailhead is at the park amphitheater near the campground and runs around the campground lake and along the southern perimeter of the park. A spur trail leads to the rustic tent sites. The trail joins up with Old Waterwheel Trail near the end and terminates just south of the Foothills Trail parking.

Camping:

Oconee State Park has a large campground with 139 standard sites with water and electrical and 15 rustic tent sites. Amenities include bathhouses with warm water showers, a recreation center, miniature gold and easy access to the park's trails and other amenities.