Relax by the water in Anderson County

If you’re looking for a restorative, slow-paced outdoor day, cast a line or take a peaceful walk where forest trails meet the water.

Tucked along the banks of a gentle river, Rocky River Nature Park protects scenic stretches of forest and wetlands where the river winds its way toward Lake Hartwell, creating excellent habitat for birds and other wildlife. Bring binoculars and you might spot herons, turtles, or deer along the shoreline. Anderson University worked with Upstate Forever to place a conservation easement on 131 acres of the park, ensuring sensitive lands and wildlife habitat will remain undeveloped. Find more info at rockyriverconservancy.org

Seeking volunteer opportunities?

Upstate Forever's Land Management program hosts several workdays each year on conservation easements like Rocky River Nature Park. Help enhance habitat by removing invasives, planting native species, picking up trash, and completing habitat restoration. Keep an eye on our calendar for future volunteer workday opportunities

If you’re in the mood to spend more time on the water, consider visiting Broadway Lake instead. This smaller, quieter cousin to Lake Hartwell is popular with local anglers and paddlers. Its calm water and scenic shoreline make it a relaxing place to spend the day.

Gardeners and native plant enthusiasts may enjoy stopping by Carolina Wild Native Plant Nursery, which specializes in plants native to the Southeast and supports habitat friendly landscaping. It’s a great place to pick up ideas — and plants — for bringing a little more biodiversity home. Visit carolinawild.com for more information

Looking for live music or festival vibes? Head into downtown Anderson to visit Carolina Wren Park, a lively public gathering space that frequently hosts concerts, festivals, and community events. Check online to see what might be happening during your visit at visitanderson.com

Staff tips & recommendations

If you’re looking for a fun and lowkey stop after time outdoors, head across I-85 and see Split Creek Farm. A stop at this working goat dairy is equal parts farm visit and artisan cheese run! Plan to spend a little time wandering the property and meeting the resident goats — they’re curious, photogenic, and not shy about saying hello. The farm store is the real danger zone, though. We recommend showing up with an empty cooler, because once you start sampling the award-winning cheeses, yogurts, and other local treats, you’ll almost certainly want to bring a few home. Check splitcreek.com before visiting to see what tours, tastings, or seasonal happenings might be going on.

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.