Oconee State Park Loop Hike
 PDF Printable Version of Oconee State Park Hiking Trail SC
The Oconee Trail is a loop trail through the rhododendron
and hardwood forest of Oconee State
Park, near Walhalla SC. This
trail is relatively easy for a mountain trail yet does have several
short ascending and descending sections.
Swimming Lake
at Oconee State Park
The trail passes through
wooded forests near the park's fishing lake, crosses the lake's dam,
ascends and descends through several rhododendron thickets, crosses a
rounded hill top and eventually along the upper edge of the blue ridge
escarpment.
dam
Limited winter views are available toward the east.
Oconee
Trailhead
The
state park is located 10.5 miles west of Walhalla SC. From
Walhalla take SC 28 8.1 miles west and then bear right onto SC 107.
The state park is 2 miles further from this intersection on the right.
Upon entering the park, bear right at the fork after the gate. The
trailhead is located within a short distance in a small gravel parking
lot to the right across from the miniature golf course and behind the
campground store.
Trail Summary (note - trail distances are approximate): The
trail begins near the Amphitheater along the edge of the large group
campsite ( Approximate GPS Coordinates 34º51'52.30"N 83º06'24.62"W ). The trail is marked with small wooden signs bearing
"OT". Below is a trail summary with approximate
distances in miles.
- 0.0 Miles - Trail Head
- 0.3 Miles - Creek - lake inlet
- 0.4 Miles - woods road - bear left
- 0.6 Miles - cross dam
- 1.0 Miles - T intersection - left is shortcut to
campground - continue straight
- 1.2 Miles - cross creek on small wooden bridge -
ascend hill after
- 1.4 Miles - top of ridge - bear left on faint woods
road - then right shortly onto trail
- 1.9 Miles - left onto Old Waterwheel Trail
- 2.0 Miles - right onto woods road
- 2.1 Miles - right onto paved road - follow paved road
- 2.5 Miles - sewage treatment plant at bottom of hill
on left
- 2.7 Miles - return to trail head
Other hikes and bike rides in or near Oconee State Park:
- Tamassee Knob Hike
- moderate summit (~1700+ ft) 2.1 miles one way
- Long Mountain - moderate
summit (2080 ft) - short cut version 0.5 miles one way
outside OSP
- 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
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