Long Mountain
Oconee State Park SC

Mountain Hike near Oconee SP

Long Mountain from piedmont toward the east.

The hike is relatively easy and suitable for families, though it is a little more than a mile and you do climb a few hundred feet.  Over the years, we have done it several times with children as young as 5.  Be careful on top though since there is some broken glass around the base of the fire tower.

To reach the starting point, drive north on SC 107 from Oconee State Park.  Approximately 0.5 miles from the park entrance, bear right onto a recently paved road toward State Park Estates.  Then bear and immediate right onto a gravel road just prior to the gate.  Follow the gravel road for approximately 1 mile until you reach a gate at an intersection with a second gravel road.  Pull off to the right and park ( Approximate GPS Coordinates 34º52'33.04"N  83º06'00.91"W ).  Hike down  this second road approximately 100 feet, past an old guard rail blocking the road.  Bear left onto the Foothills Trail to begin the hike (marked with sign 10/06 - see picture below).  This is the same starting point as that used for the Hidden Falls hike also described on this website.

Gate to park vehicle.  Bear right here down second road and 
then left at trail sign (see below) to begin hike.

This is a loop hike.  The first part is along the Foothills Trail.

Trail sign near the beginning of the trail.

This path skirts along the north slope of Long Mountain and steadily ascends.  In approximately 0.5 mile, a short trail veers off to the left to the summit with the fire and communication towers.  Keep your eyes open for this trail since it is easy to miss.

Follow the side trail to the top for a short distance.  Unfortunately as of October 2006 the fire tower is fenced off so the views from the tower are no longer accessible to the public.

Long Mountain Fire Tower - note fence around base

Return to the start by descending along the gravel road 0.5 miles with nice winter views toward the south.

Gravel Road For Return Hike

For a more challenging hike, you can ascend Long Mountain from the Foothills Trail parking area at Oconee State Park.  This adds 2 miles for a total round trip distance of approximately 3+ miles.  For more details, see the Foothills Trail Guidebook.

Other hikes and bike rides in or near Long Mountain:

• Tamassee Knob Hike - moderate summit (~1700+ ft) 2.1 miles one way
• Oconee Trail - moderate 2.7 mile loop within Oconee State Park
• Hidden Falls - moderate water fall ~1+ miles one way via short cut version outside OSP
• Mountain Rest - moderate to strenuous 13.6 mile bike loop starting at Oconee State Park 
• Foothills Trail - strenuous multi-day trail from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park