South Carolina

About South Carolina

Westminster, Salem, Mountain Rest, Long Creek, Walhalla, Senaca

Walhalla began as a settlement of German immigrants who left from Hamburg, Germany and Bavaria with some English, Scots and Irish who came over in the same ship. Due to its German heritage, Walhalla is also known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration, which takes place on the third weekend of October.

East of town, the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery welcomes visitors to tour the hatchery, to fish in the East Fork River which runs through hatchery grounds, or to picnic in areas provided for the public. Adjacent to the hatchery is the Chattooga Picnic Area with a barrier-free fishing pier.

Adjacent to the picnic area is the boundary of the Ellicott Rock Wilderness. Hikers may take a trail that goes alongside the East Fork for 2.5 miles to the Chattooga River. Nearby Oconee State Park has all of the perks of a relaxing mountain getaway. Rustic, CCC-era cabins, family campgrounds and a lake with a swimming hole, canoe rentals and fishing opportunities are only a sample of the park’s offerings.

7,500 acre Lake Jocassee has deep water and 75 miles of shoreline. The lake was named "Place of the Lost One" because of a Cherokee legend where Jocassee, an Indian maiden was said to have drowned herself in grief over the murder of her lover. It is a perfect lake for boating, skiing, fishing, and any other water activities you can imagine. Other lakes include Hartwell Lake and Lake Keowee.

The Stumphouse Tunnel was planned in the 1850s to connect South Carolina to the Midwest with a direct rail line. Unfortunately, work on the project was abandoned during the War Between the States due to the lack of funds. 1300 feet of the tunnel is open to the public. The park area features the Issaqueena Falls, picnic areas and a hiking trail.

Downtown Walhalla has a variety of shops and great little eateries.

Westminster

Located in Oconee County in the upstate region of South Carolina the town of Westminster is in the foothills of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and is a treasure trove of wonderful architecture, boasting more than one hundred homes that are unique to the late 1800's and turn-of-the-century. The beautiful residential and business historical districts offer a visual smorgasbord for the sightseer along the crepe myrtle-lined streets.

The area offers spectacular views of its natural beauty. There are more than 25 waterfalls alone. Boating, fishing, whitewater rafting, hunting, hiking, horseback riding and nine golf courses are just a few of the recreational activities the area has to offer. Its county, state and national parks and recreation areas provide plenty of opportunities for every member of the family.

Flowing along the South Carolina-Georgia border, west of town the famous Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River provides whitewater rafting adventures and breath-taking views through the beautiful Sumter National Forest. Divided into four sections, trips along Section 3 provide a perfect outing for families and youth groups, while Section 4 provides more continuous rapids and steep drops for skilled enthusiasts.

Mayberry Day is held each year during the third weekend in April. Historic Main Street comes alive with faces, vehicles and characters known around the world from the 1960s television program "The Andy Griffith Show," which is still in syndication.

Attractions

Devils Fork State Park - Lake Jocassee - Salem SC South Cove County Park on Lake Keowee - Seneca SC Spoonauger Falls in Sumter National Forest - Mountain Rest SC
Chattooga River - Long Creek SC King Creek Waterfalls - Mountain Rest SC Licklog & Pigpen Falls - Mountain Rest SC

View attractions by location | View all attractions in South Carolina

Events & Festivals

  • There are no events at this time.

View events by location | View all events in South Carolina

Find Local Businesses

The Southern Highroads Directory is a great resource for finding great dining, lodging & things to do along the Southern Highroads Trail. Please let our sponsors know you appreciate their support of the Southern Highroads Trail!

Find local businesses in South Carolina

Browse by Location

  • Walhalla

    The Walhalla market area includes Walhalla, West Union, Salem, Mountain Rest and Seneca.
  • Westminister

    The Westminister area includes Salem, Mountain Rest, Long Creek and Seneca. Westminister is located in Oconee County, South Carolina.