Mountain Lakes Regional Recreation Guide This guide is provided as a service to anyone planning to visit the Mountain Lakes Region of  northwestern South Carolina or northeast Georgia. The information is accurate to the best of our knowledge but we make no guarantees.

AREA MAP: Lake Hartwell is located at the northern portion of the border of Georgia and South Carolina at Interstate 85. We have prepared an "ACTIVITY MAP" showing major roads, towns, state parks, and points of interest. Click here for an Area Map

AREA WEATHER: The climate is best described as "moderate". Summers are warm with temperatures occasionally reaching over 90. Winters are mild although several nights will go below freezing.
Normal high & low temperatures: JAN:51-32, FEB:56-34, MCH:65-42, APR:73-50, MAY:80-58, JUN:87-66, JUL:89-69, AUG:88-69, SEP:82-63, OCT:73-50, NOV:64-42, DEC:55-35
Average annual rainfall: 46.25 inches --------- Average annual snowfall: 3.5 inches
Click here for the Weather Channel Five Day Forecast

BIKING & DRIVING TOURS: East of Hwy 11 is farmland & rolling hills. To the Northwest are country roads along the lakes and rivers. North are the mountains. Most back roads are paved, perfect for family bicycle trips. The National Forests have many trails for mountain biking. The Curiosity Shopp stocks a complete line of guide books, directions, and topo maps to help you find the trails that match your skill.
Mountain Bike Depot: Highlands, NC - Spring & 5th St. - Bike Rentals 704-526-4401
Mountain Waters Scenic Drive - This 125 mile loop covers three states and several waterfalls.
Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway - This 115 mile scenic drive parallels I-85 from Exit 1 to Gaffney.
Map: "Outdoor Recreation in Stephens County"   Available at Toccoa, Stephens C of C (706)886-2132
Mountain ATV Rentals and Tours:  Murphy, NC and Blairsville, GA.   (828)494-7031

ENTERTAINMENT:
Clem's Shoal Creek Music Pk: Lavonia, GA - 2 miles S of I-85 Exit 59 - Bluegrass Saturdays 8pm 706-356-1092
Clemson University frequently offers exhibits and concerts. This page provides links to several Clemson Events Calendars
South Carolina Special Events: SC Special Events Calendar
Lake-Hartwell Area Calendar

EVENTS:
Hartwell Antique Boat Show (Late April) - Hart County Chamber 706-376-8590

FARM MARKETS, ORCHARDS, & "Pick Your Own"
Callaham's Orchards - (Peaches June-Aug) - Belton, SC (864-338-0810)
Denver Downs Farm Market - US-76, Anderson, SC (864-261-8390)
Eldon & Rosa Zehr - (Peaches June-Aug) - Sandy Springs, SC (864-261-8658)
G&J Farms - (Gords, Pumpkins, Corn Stalks) - 8230 Royston Hwy, Canon, GA (706-245-5301)
Happy Berry, The  (864-350-9345)
Hardy Berry Farm (Strawberries April-May (PYO) - Anderson, SC (864-224-5441)
Hayes Farm - (Strawberries April-May (PYO), Peaches, Watermelons, Corn, Fall Decorations) Hwy 327, Lavonia, GA - (706-356-8831)
Hillside Country Farm Market - Hwy 441, Tiger, GA (706-782-0858)
Hunter Farms & Greenhouses (Strawberries & Produce) Easley, SC - (864-859-2978)
Jaemor Farm Market - GA 365, Alto, GA (770-869-0999)
Pappy's Place Produce Stand - Railroad St, Seneca, SC (864-882-9100)
Stonybrook Berry Farm (Strawberries April-May) - Pelzer, SC - (864-947-2288)
Trotter Farms (Strawberries April-May) - Pickens, SC (864-878-1126)

GAMING:
DAD'S RESTAURANT: Lavonia. GA - I-85 at Exit 59 - Georgia lottery tickets.
DANNY'S: Toccoa, GA - US 123 at state line - Georgia lottery tickets

GOLD & GEMS:
Curiosity Shoppes Gem Mine: Fair Play - 4 miles north of I-85 on Hwy 11   (864-972-0463)
Gold Museum: Dahlonega, GA - Pan for gold where the first gold rush in the US took place. (706-864-2257)

GOLF:
Blue Ridge Golf Center (9): 2499 Blue Ridge Blvd, Walhalla, SC - 864-882-7949
Boscobel CC (18): Hwy 76, Pendleton, SC  - 864-646-3991
Cateechee Golf Club (18): Hartwell, Ga - (706) 856-4653
Chickasaw Point (18): Hwy 11, Westminster, SC  - 864-972-9623
Cobb's Glen (18): Anderson, SC - 864-226-7688
Falcons Lair (18): Hwy 11, Walhalla, SC - 864-638-0000
Foxwood Hills (9): Westminster, SC - 864-647-9503
Hollywood Hills (18): Old 441, Hollywood, Ga - 706-754-2255
Oconee Country Club (18): Hwy 123, Seneca, SC  - 864-882-8037
Sandy Creek (18): Hwy 98, Commerce, Ga - 706-335-8101
Shoal Creek Driving Range: I-85 Exit 59 Lavonia, Ga - 706-356-5257
Table Rock Resort (18): Hwy 11, Pickens, SC - 864-878-2030
The Pines (9): Hwy 17, Toccoa, Ga - 706-886-1915
Upcountry Golf Trail: PO Box 25804, Greenville, SC --- (864) 486-0627
Victoria Bryant State Park: Royston, Ga - 706-245-6770
Walker GC (18): Clemson University, SC - 864-656-0236
Woodhaven (9): Hwy 76, Pendleton, SC - 864-646-9511
Click here for more courses and a location map.

HORSEBACK RIDING:
Chattooga Ridge Stables: Mountain Rest, SC - 864-638-9479
Camp Toccoa: Toccoa, GA  706-886-2457

KIDS & ADULTS:

MAPS & BOOKS:
Our gift shop (The Curiosity Shoppe) stocks a complete line of: Lake Maps, Topographic Maps, Trail Guides, and other books of the area. We have made a few of the most popular ones available for you to order over the net. CLICK HERE to transfer to our bookstore page.

MISC. ACTIVITIES:
Birding in The Upstate of South Carolina
Brush Creek Sporting Club http://brushcreeksportingclub.com/  North Georgia's premiere sporting clays and hunt club. Colbert, GA 30628  (706) 788 - 2910
Hot Air Balloon Flights: http://www.skyscapesofamerica.com/ Anderson, SC 29621 (864) 221-0552
Putt-Putt - The Putting Park - SC-28 Between Walhalla & Seneca 864-885-0887
Trap & Skeet - Sportsmans Gun and Archery Club - Hwy 172 Royston, Ga - 800-451-7626, 706-245-5010

RACING:
Lavonia Speedway: Hwy 77 Lavonia, GA  (706-356-2220)
Toccoa Speedway: Hwy 17 Toccoa, GA (706-282-0171)
Westminster Speedway: Westminster
Hwy 17 Kartway: Go Kart races   Sat 2:00-6:00    Fri (After 4/1) 7:00pm  706-779-3666

RAFTING & CANOEING:
Broad River Canoe Outpost (Broad River) - Athens, GA - 706-795-3242
Chattooga River Adventures: Raft and Funyak rentals - Mountain Rest, SC - 800-UGO-RAFT
Chau-Ram Park Whitewater Slalom Course - 864-638-4212
Headwaters Outfitters (Lake Jocassee scenic canoe & kyack tours) North Carolina Float Trips 704-877-3106
NOC Rafting (Chattooga River and others) - 800-232-7238
The Sand Bar - Royston, GA 706-245-5397
South Eastern Expeditions (Chattooga & Ocoee River) 800-868-7238
www.chattooga-river.net Chattooga River information page
Wild Water Rafting (Chattooga River and others) - 800-762-2463
Wildwood Canoe Outpost (Chattahoochee River) - Helen, GA - 706-865-4451

SIGHT SEEING & HISTORICAL AREAS:
Bad Creek Visitor Center: Tours - Highway 130 (864-885-4600)
Cherokee Indian Center: Keowee- Toxaway State Park - 864-868-2605
Ferne's Dollhouse Museum: Easley, SC - Hwy 135 - 864-843-2486
Fort Hill Museum: Clemson University - 864-656-2475
Golden Creek Mill: Easley, SC - 864-859-1958
Hartwell Dam: Hartwell, GA - 706-376-4788
Martin Historic District Driving/Walking Tour: Map available at Toccoa, Stephens C of C (706)886-2132
Oconee Station: Walhalla, SC - Historic Site - Hwy 11 - 864-638-0079
South Carolina Botanical Garden: At Clemson University 864-656-4789
Tallulah Gorge SP: S of Clayton GA on US441  Spectacular gorge, excellent interpretative center (706-754-7970)
Traveler's Rest: Toccoa,GA -  Hwy 123 at the lake 19th century stagecoach inn -   Tours (706-886-2256)
World of Energy: Seneca, SC - Nuclear power plant and visitors center - 864-885-4600
Wren House: The Southern Living Showcase Home at The SC Botanical Garden   864-656-3405

STATE PARKS:
Devils Fork State Park: Salem, SC - Lake Jocassee  864-944-2639
Fair Play Recreation Area: Fair Play, SC - I-85 Exit 2 then south.
Hart State Park: Beach, trail. Hartwell, GA  706-376-8756
Lake Hartwell State Park: I-85 at Exit 1 - Ramp, trail - 864-972-3352
Mullins Ford Ramp & Picnic area: Blackjack road to Dr John’s road.
Oconee State Park: Mountain Rest  864-638-5353
Stevens County Ramp: Toccoa, GA - Hwy 123 at GA/SC line (Fishing pier)
Tugaloo State Park: Lavonia, GA - Mini-golf, tennis - 706-356-4363
South Carolina State Parks:   http://www.southcarolinaparks.com

TRAILS & WATERFALLS: This area has thousands of miles of trails and hundreds of waterfalls. We have listed here only a few of the most well known. For more complete information and a map transfer to our WATERFALL PAGE or the scenic drive page.
Blue Ridge Guide Service: Fishing and waterfall tours on Lake Jocassee 864-638-9433
Brasstown Falls: Hwy 76 to Brasstown road
Chau-Ram Falls: Westminster, SC - US 76 W 2 Mi - 30 foot cascade - county park. (Closed Jan & Feb)
Issaqueena Falls: Walhalla, SC - Hwy 28 N 6 mi - 100 foot falls - short steep trail.
Map: "Outdoor Recreation in Stephens County"   Available at Toccoa, Stephens C of C (706)886-2132
Panther Creek Trail & Falls: Clayton, GA - Hwy 441 south.
Toccoa Falls: Toccoa, GA - Hwy 17 - Admission.
Whitewater Falls: Salem, SC - Highest in eastern US.
Trails Less Traveled: Highlands, NC - GUIDED Hikes off the beaten path. 800-903-4401
South Carolina Trails:   http://www.sctrails.net/Trails/
Take A Hike Tours: Seneca, SC Year Round Guided Hiking & Camping Adventures 864-972-3854 takeahiketours@nuvox.net

Mountain Lakes Vacation Rentals offers over 65 VACATION RENTAL HOMES in Northeast Georgia and Northwest South Carolina. Homes range from small fishing cabins to romantic getaways to large luxury homes suitable for reunions, group meetings or retreats. Visit www.mtnlakes.com or call 800-610-0020 for more information.