Guidebook for Mountain Rest
Parks & Nature
You probably passed the entrance to Issaqueena Falls and Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel on your way to our house on Highway 28. It's only about 3 miles away (heading back down the mountain toward Walhalla). You'll love it!
It's an easy walk to a the waterfall overlook. If you feel like a bit more scrambling, take a short but steep hike down to the bottom of the cascade for a lovely view. Have your lunch on a boulder, dip your feet in the small pools at the base of the waterfall.
54 locals recommend
Issaqueena Falls
Stumphouse Tunnel RoadIt's an easy walk to a the waterfall overlook. If you feel like a bit more scrambling, take a short but steep hike down to the bottom of the cascade for a lovely view. Have your lunch on a boulder, dip your feet in the small pools at the base of the waterfall.
Enjoy nearby Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel which was being built shortly before the Civil War but was never finished. Take flashlights, lanterns, and wear old shoes you don't mind getting a little dirty. Kids love it! - It's in the same park with Issaqueena Falls. Picnics tables and grills available, too.
Stumphouse Mountain
Enjoy nearby Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel which was being built shortly before the Civil War but was never finished. Take flashlights, lanterns, and wear old shoes you don't mind getting a little dirty. Kids love it! - It's in the same park with Issaqueena Falls. Picnics tables and grills available, too.
There are nearby whitewater rafting companies just a few miles away at Long Creek (turnoff near Trading Post store on Hwy 28). Check out Wildwater Rafting (10 miles - 22 minutes) and Nantahala Outdoor Center - Chattooga Outpost (11.5 miles - 19 minutes)
42 locals recommend
Chattooga River
There are nearby whitewater rafting companies just a few miles away at Long Creek (turnoff near Trading Post store on Hwy 28). Check out Wildwater Rafting (10 miles - 22 minutes) and Nantahala Outdoor Center - Chattooga Outpost (11.5 miles - 19 minutes)
Lots of hiking trails to waterfalls in the area. The Rangers Station at the top of Stumphouse Mountain has wonderful resources. Informational pamphets and maps are at the house for your perusal.
Sumter National Forest
Lots of hiking trails to waterfalls in the area. The Rangers Station at the top of Stumphouse Mountain has wonderful resources. Informational pamphets and maps are at the house for your perusal.
Delightful state park with lake swimming, diving platform, paddle boats, campsites, cabins, playground, miniature golf, and square dancing every Friday night in the summer. Built in the 1930's by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps - FDR's administration) during the Depression.
25 locals recommend
Oconee State Park
624 State Park RdDelightful state park with lake swimming, diving platform, paddle boats, campsites, cabins, playground, miniature golf, and square dancing every Friday night in the summer. Built in the 1930's by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps - FDR's administration) during the Depression.
If you're interested in fishing, the state fish hatchery raises brown, brook and rainbow trout to stock SC streams. Address is 198 Fish Hatchery Road, #107N, Mountain Rest, SC. Follow Hwy 107 North.
13 locals recommend
Walhalla State Fish Hatchery
198 Fish Hatchery Road Hwy 107NIf you're interested in fishing, the state fish hatchery raises brown, brook and rainbow trout to stock SC streams. Address is 198 Fish Hatchery Road, #107N, Mountain Rest, SC. Follow Hwy 107 North.
Essentials
This is only about 1 mile away (take a left as you return to Hwy 28 (Highlands Highway) and is great for lots of supplies needed quickly. (We even got painter's tape there!) It has just about everything since it's near Oconee State Park!
6 locals recommend
Dollar General
7053 Highlands HwyThis is only about 1 mile away (take a left as you return to Hwy 28 (Highlands Highway) and is great for lots of supplies needed quickly. (We even got painter's tape there!) It has just about everything since it's near Oconee State Park!
This is about 8 miles away in West Union/Walhalla. This is where we get most of our groceries. It's about 12 minutes away. Watch the speed limit in Walhalla as you pass through.
100 locals recommend
Ingles Market
176 US-441This is about 8 miles away in West Union/Walhalla. This is where we get most of our groceries. It's about 12 minutes away. Watch the speed limit in Walhalla as you pass through.
This is the nearest drug store, near Ingles, about 8 miles away in West Union/Walhalla. At intersection of Hwy 28 and Hwy 11.
11 locals recommend
CVS
118 W Main StThis is the nearest drug store, near Ingles, about 8 miles away in West Union/Walhalla. At intersection of Hwy 28 and Hwy 11.
Entertainment & Activities
There are two whitewater rafting companies nearby in Long Creek (about 20 minutes away) as well as Oconee State Park which offers miniature golf, swimming, boating, camping, and square dancing on Friday nights. Highlands, NC is about a 45-minute drive north and offers great shopping and restaurants. In the fall, enjoy Clemson football games (45 minutes away).
Clemson University
105 Sikes HallClemson football games are within driving distance.
For the truly adventurous, take a rafting trip down the fantastic Chattooga River (made famous by the film Deliverance). Section IV of the river offers class III - VI rapids.
38 locals recommend
Wildwater Chattooga Adventure Center
1251 State Road S-37-14For the truly adventurous, take a rafting trip down the fantastic Chattooga River (made famous by the film Deliverance). Section IV of the river offers class III - VI rapids.
NOC Chattooga Outpost
851A Chattooga Ridge RdThis is a great whitewater rafting adventure that's nearby.
If you love a charming little town and want to spend a few hours shopping and eating at nice restaurants, go to Highlands, NC for the day. It's only about 20 miles away but is a 45-minute drive via a curvy mountain road. (Those who may get carsick should take dramamine first.) Check out their website: https://www.highlandschamber.org/
228 locals recommend
Highlands
If you love a charming little town and want to spend a few hours shopping and eating at nice restaurants, go to Highlands, NC for the day. It's only about 20 miles away but is a 45-minute drive via a curvy mountain road. (Those who may get carsick should take dramamine first.) Check out their website: https://www.highlandschamber.org/
Lovely little antique shops and restaurants to explore. Also check out the Walhalla Performing Arts Center.
15 locals recommend
Walhalla
Lovely little antique shops and restaurants to explore. Also check out the Walhalla Performing Arts Center.