The Pickens County 7 highlights seven of the area’s greatest natural landmarks.
1. Table Rock Mountain 158 E Ellison Lane
Pickens, SC 29671
Table Rock Mountain is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and was once part of the Lower Cherokee Nation. View Table Rock from the Grant Meadow Overlook on Highway 11, or visit Table Rock State Park where you can visit Carrick Creek Falls and wade in the pool below the falls, hike to the top, or stay in a cabin or their campground while enjoying their lakes and trails.
2. Sassafras Mountain Overlook 1391 F Van Clayton Memorial Highway
Sunset, SC 29685
Experience sweeping 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge atop South Carolina’s tallest mountain at the Sassafras Mountain Overlook. The observation tower was constructed in 2019, stands at 3,553′ above sea level, and is ADA accessible.
3. Jocassee Gorges
National Geographic featured the Jocassee Gorges as one of “50 of the World’s Last Great Places”. Comprised of over 50,000 acres of temperate rainforest, Jocassee Gorges has an abundance of waterfalls, rare plants including the Oconee bell, and stunning views of Lake Jocassee.
4. Nine Times Preserve
In the 560-acre Nine Times Preserve, you’ll find 134 species of native wildflowers, 5 mountains, and 7 different types of forests. Hunting and fishing is permitted on the preserve, as it is a State Wildlife Management Area under the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
5. Glassy Mountain Heritage Preserve 662 S Glassy Mountain Church Road, Pickens, SC 29671
Glassy Mountain Heritage Preserve is a 65-acre preserve located just minutes from downtown Pickens. Glassy Mountain is a piedmont monadnock, and it is home to many rare and threatened plant species. Take a short hike to one of the mountain’s many granite rock faces to witness breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
6. Twelve Mile River
The Twelve Mile River is a 30 mile tributary of Lake Hartwell and provides many opportunities for paddling and fishing. Public access points include: Equoni Point, Cateechee Point, Lay Bridge Road, and Maw Bridge Road. Visit gopaddlesc.com for details about the Twelve Mile Blueway Trail and planning your perfect trip, whether you are looking for a lake-like paddle or a challenging whitewater run.
Put in points: Equoni Point 954 Madden Bridge Road
Central, SC 29630
Cateechee Point 1109 Norris Highway
Central, SC 29630
7. Clemson Experimental Forest
The 17,500 acres of the Clemson Experimental Forest are dedicated to research, education, and recreation. The trail system is divided into 3 sections: Todd’s Creek, Issaqueena/Keowee Heights, and Fant’s Grove. Here you’ll find over 100 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as Todd Creek Falls and Waldrop Stone Falls.