Take in mountain views in Pickens County

Pack a picnic basket and hop in your car for a drive along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway. Your destination? Some of the most iconic sights in South Carolina.

Nestled at the base of Table Rock and hugging scenic Highway 11, Grant Meadow is considered one of SC's most-photographed spots. Upstate Forever is honored to have worked with late landowners Hoyt and Laura Grant to place conservation easements on the 57-acre meadow below the iconic granite rockface, ensuring this cherished view will remain undeveloped for future generations.

A paved overlook and seating were added by Pickens County in 2022 to offer travelers a place to park and enjoy Grant Meadow’s idyllic beauty. If you need to stretch your legs a bit more, continue on to Table Rock State Park. An often overlooked spot within the park is Lake Oolenoy, a prime destination for paddling and fishing.

Staff tips & recommendations

 If you're looking for a family-friendly hike, Katie Hottel, former UF Clean Water & GIS Manager, recommends Carrick Creek Trail at Table Rock State Park: Our family recently completed this 2-mile loop with three kids in tow (ages 7, 5, and 2)!

This hike was pretty easy for the adults, doable for the older kids, and the youngest hitched a ride on my back in a carrier for the majority of the hike. It took about 2 hours, and approximately 20 cookies, 6 applesauce pouches, 3 trail mixes, 2 fruit & nut bars, and a bag of Goldfish. We were big fans of the waterfall views and stream crossings, and seeing the snakes in the trailhead office where we signed in! southcarolinaparks.com

Got more time to spend? Pickens is packed with easy add-on destinations to enrich your day trip. Nearby Keowee-Toxaway State Park offers something for thrillseekers, anglers, boaters, bird watchers, and hikers (tip: for beautiful sunset views, try the Raven Rock hike). In short, there’s a little something for everyone! Learn more at southcarolinaparks.com

You can find farm-fresh produce at roadside stands throughout the area (typically open from late spring through fall) or support one of many local agritourism destinations like The Happy Berry (thehappyberry.com), a small farm near the shore of Lake Keowee that offers pick-your-own and pre-picked fruits from June through September. Upstate Forever was proud to work with the Miller family to place a conservation easement on the 22-acre farm in 2023.

Another option: step into local history at the Hagood Mill Historic Site. Special programming and heritage events are offered throughout the year — check online at visithagoodmill.com before visiting.

A comprehensive approach to conservation

Pristine natural land and clean waterways are essential for outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism. In addition to our conservation work in Pickens, Upstate Forever has supported efforts to safeguard Scenic Highway 11's character through land use policy, participated on the Lake Keowee Source Water Protection Team, and advocated with partners and residents for a stronger riparian buffer ordinance.

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.