10 Things to Enjoy at Oconee State Park in August

August in Mountain Rest, South Carolina, is still summer, but Oconee State Park gives you plenty of ways to enjoy it. With tall trees, mountain air, lakes, trails and plenty of shade, the park has been part of summer life in northern Oconee County for generations.

If you are visiting Mountain Rest this month, here are 10 things to know about Oconee State Park.

1. Spend an Afternoon by the Lake

Oconee State Park has two lakes, and August is a good month to enjoy the water. Swimming, fishing, paddling, or simply finding a shady place near the lake can make a hot summer afternoon much more pleasant.

2. Walk Under the Trees

One of the best things about Oconee State Park in August is the shade. Much of the park is heavily wooded, making a walk through the park feel very different from spending the afternoon in the open sun.

3. Start a Hike on the Foothills Trail

Oconee State Park serves as the western trailhead for the Foothills Trail. You do not have to hike the entire trail to enjoy it. Even a shorter walk gives you a taste of the forests, streams, and mountain terrain that make this corner of South Carolina special.

4. Stay in One of the Historic Cabins

The Civilian Conservation Corps helped develop Oconee State Park in the 1930s, and its rustic cabins remain part of the park experience. Spending a night in one gives visitors a little connection to the history of the park.

5. Pack a Picnic

Sometimes the best outing is also the simplest. Pack sandwiches, fresh peaches, tomatoes or whatever you picked up at a local farmers market and find a shady picnic table.

August does not always require a big plan.

6. Bring a Fishing Pole

Both lakes provide opportunities for fishing. Early morning and later afternoon are particularly nice times to be near the water before the middle-of-the-day heat settles in.

7. Watch the August Weather

Summer weather in Mountain Rest can change quickly. A sunny morning can turn into an afternoon thunderstorm, so mornings are often better for longer hikes and outdoor plans.

The good part is that an afternoon shower often cools everything down.

8. Use the Park as Your Starting Point

Oconee State Park puts you close to so much of what makes Mountain Rest special.

Waterfalls, the Chattooga River, Sumter National Forest and miles of mountain roads are all nearby. You could spend several days exploring and still not see everything.

9. Slow Down

This may be my favorite reason to visit.

Oconee State Park is a place where you can sit by the water, walk through the woods, or spend an afternoon without feeling as though you have to accomplish anything.

That slower pace is also one of the reasons people start looking at Mountain Rest differently after spending time here.

10. Imagine Living This Close to It

For some visitors, a weekend in Mountain Rest leads to a bigger question:

What would it be like to live here?

Mountain Rest offers everything from small mountain cabins and homes tucked into the woods to acreage, lake properties and land near the National Forest.

Living near Oconee State Park means these trails, lakes, waterfalls and forests are not something you have to save for vacation.

They can simply be part of an ordinary Saturday.

If Mountain Rest has been calling your name, take a look at the homes and land for sale in Mountain Rest, SC.

Bonus: Friday Night Square Dancing

You cannot talk about summer at Oconee State Park without mentioning square dancing.

The park is known for its traditional Friday night square dances, a longtime summer tradition that brings together visitors and local residents.

The regular summer dances run through July and return for Labor Day weekend, so August visitors should check the park's current schedule before making plans.

Even if your August visit falls between dances, it is worth remembering because these traditions are part of what makes Oconee State Park more than simply another beautiful place.

They make it part of the community.

Oconee State Park Is Part of the Mountain Rest Lifestyle

There are plenty of beautiful places in the mountains of South Carolina, but Mountain Rest is different because so much of the outdoor lifestyle is right outside your door.

Oconee State Park, the National Forest, waterfalls, mountain lakes, and the Chattooga River are not attractions located hours away.

They are our neighbors.

And sometimes a visit to Oconee State Park is all it takes to understand why people decide they would rather live here than simply visit.