Chase waterfalls and mountain bike adventure in Oconee County

Oconee County offers some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Upstate. Lace up your hiking boots or bring a kayak — this corner of SC rewards those willing to explore.

Did you know Oconee comes from a Cherokee word meaning “land beside the water?” The area has certainly earned this moniker — there are more than 300 recorded waterfalls in the county!

Start your trip with a visit to one of the area’s most beloved waterfalls: Issaqueena Falls, a dramatic 100-foot cascade tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains (pictured above). A viewing platform offers an easy way to take in the waterfall’s beauty and the legend behind its name, which tells the story of a Cherokee woman who hid along the falls to escape capture. The iconic Stumphouse Tunnel is nearby as well, beckoning visitors into its cool, eerie interior.

From the same park entrance, adventure seekers can explore Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park where 14 miles of trails wind through lush forests and along ephemeral streams on the Blue Ridge Escarpment.

Riders and hikers pass through tunnels of mountain laurel and landscapes dotted with ferns, wild ginger, and seasonal wildflowers — a constantly changing tapestry of plant life that makes this trail network an exceedingly rewarding experience. Upstate Forever holds the conservation easement on this property and is proud to protect it in perpetuity from residential or commercial development. Find more info at stumphousepark.com

For those looking to cram even more adventure into their day, see how many of Oconee County’s waterfalls you can visit in a one-day waterfall challenge. Find options, maps, and more info on the Visit Oconee SC website at visitoconeesc.com

6,000+ acres protected

Upstate Forever is committed to keeping Oconee County's pristine natural places intact for future generations. Our nationally accredited Land Trust has partnered with landowners and conservation partners to protect more than 6,800 acres in Oconee County. Learn more about our Land Conservation work

If you’d rather be on the rushing water than watching it go by, bring your own kayak or raft — or connect with a local outfitter on your way — to the Chattooga River. You can plan your paddle along the beginner- and family-friendly Section III, or the exhilaration of Section IV, ahead of time at gopaddlesc.com. As the only blueway in SC designated a National Wild and Scenic River, the Chattooga River is certainly a spectacle each Upstate resident should behold.

Staff tips & recommendations

Are you a local history buff? Plan a stop at one or more of these educational sites to explore the rich history that has shaped the area.

Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina: Located in Walhalla, this museum shares the deep history and cultural legacy of the Cherokee people in the Upstate through exhibits, artifacts, and educational programs. cherokeemuseumsc.org

Oconee History Museum: Just across Tugaloo Street from the Museum of the Cherokee and housed in a historic jail building, this museum highlights the people, industries, and everyday life that shaped Oconee County from its early settlement to modern times. oconeehistorymuseum.org

Oconee Station State Historic Site: This preserved 18th-century frontier outpost along a historic Cherokee trading path offers a glimpse into early backcountry life, with a stone trading station, interpretive trails, and nearby waterfall hikes. southcarolinaparks.com

This article is a feature from the Spring/Summer 2026 issue of the Upstate Advocate. To read more from this and previous issues, visit upstateforever.org/newsletter.