Touring Pickens County

Here you will find just some of the many attractions and events here in Pickens County. For more information as well as admission fees and hours of operation, please see the following resources to help you in your exploration of the place "where the mountains begin" in the beautiful upcountry of South Carolina:

South Carolina Parks is a comprehensive resource for state and county parks, detailing their facilities and highlighting their attractions.

Many more historic churches, homes, museums and other locales are waiting for you to discover them at the Pendleton District Commission and Tour Pickens County.

• Pickens Azalea Festival

  Every year, the streets of Pickens fill with artists offering a variety of their work and crafts, local organizations handing out important information on a series of topics, and an assortment of food that will entice you to sample the local color. This is what our spring festival is all about.

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• Waterfalls of the Upcountry

  Nestled in breathtaking locations throughout the area, some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Southeastern United States are found right here in Pickens County. Perennial favorites among nature lovers are Laurel Fork Falls, which can be reached by boat from the Devil's Fork main boat ramp or by a trek on the Foothills Trail, and Twin Falls (also called Eastatoe Falls) which can be reached by traveling on US Hwy 178 north from Pickens and entering the Eastatoe community and hiking to the falls via the old roadbed.

  Other waterfalls of the region can be explored with the aid of a brochure, "Waterfalls of the South Carolina Upcountry" offered at area tourist informational outlets, and at the Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce.

• State Parks

  Opportunities to reconnect with nature abound in Pickens County --- fishing, kayaking, geocaching, and more --- all just a quick jaunt away.

  Keowee-Toxaway Natural Area
  With its stunning view of the Blue Ridge mountains, and the Jocassee Gorges Visitor Center, this park is an informative start to your explorations of this area. Two hiking trails and rustic camping sites are offered nearby.

  Table Rock State Park
  Offering 3,000 acres of scenic beauty, the park also offers an historic lodge, two lakes, camping, and a variety of activities for all ages. CCC-built structures in the park are listed on the Historic Register, and hikers can access the Foothills Trail.

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• Golf Courses

  Golfers will find happiness here in Pickens and the Upcountry, with many fine locations offering scenic surroundings and competitive courses. Of particular interest to many is "The Rock" at Jocassee which features gorgeous scenery and a challenge to even experienced golfers. First opened in 1980, this course has been a growing attraction in recent years.

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• Community Theater

  Theater is alive and well in Pickens County with many inviting and unique venues from which to choose. The Electric City Playhouse, Clemson Little Theater, Oconee Community Theater, and Easley Foothills Playhouse offer community productions, regional artisans, and national troupes in restored theaters and school auditoriums as well as state-of-the-art facilities.

• Pickens County Museum

  Housed within the Pickens County "gaol" built in 1902, the Pickens County Museum of Art and History interprets the history and the unique culture of the county and the upstate through art, antiquities and artifacts, along with changing and traveling exhibits.

• Hagood Mill

  The circa 1845 mill is one of the oldest known surviving gristmills still producing grain products in South Carolina. Within the mill complex are the 1791 Murphree-Hollingsworth log cabin, the 1850 Hagood cabin, a nature trail, and a display of Native American petroglyphs.

• Hagood-Mauldin House

  Built circa 1856 in the town of "Old Pickens", this home was dismantled and moved to the "new" town of Pickens in 1868. A fine example of the classical Greek Revival style of architecture, the home features 17th, 18th, and 19th century furnishings collected by the last owner. Maintained today by the Pickens County Historical Society, it can be viewed by appointment.

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• South Carolina Botanical Garden

  This garden has become a living legend in the upcountry, and for good reason. Its beauty and impeccable landscaping draw photographers, artists, and picnickers to the South Carolina Botanical Garden every year and in every season.

  Both the garden and the Fran Hanson Discovery Center are open to the public free of charge. The garden is accessible from "dawn to dusk" every day, while the Discovery Center is open Monday - Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

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• Pumpkin Festival

  Held at the site of the Oolenoy Community Center (once the Oolenoy Elementary School), this annual festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors for its displays of folk art, craftsmanship, delicious food, live music, and --- of course --- pumpkins!

• Dacusville Farm Days

  Annual event where visitors can "step into the past" and enjoy antique tractors and steam-powered farm machinery, view an operating saw mill and a veneer mill, admire arts and crafts, and much more.

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• Art Galleries and Studios

  Local art venues abound in the area. Whether your preference is the work of local artisans, an exhibit of collected works, or an outdoor arts gathering with paintings, pottery and music, you'll find lots to admire here in Pickens.

• Pickens County Stockade

  Now housing the ecclectic wares of "Stockade N' Stuff Antiques", this once formidable building originally functioned as a men's prison from its construction in 1936 until 1968.

• Oolenoy Community Center

  Formerly the Oolenoy Elementary School, this 1918 building now serves as a community center, hosting potlucks, live bands, and the annual Pumpkin Festival.