Mountain Lakes Region
Anderson, Oconee, Pickens Counties

Rolling and mountainous Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties, carved from the frontier Pendleton District, form a region of whitewater rivers, waterfalls, mountain lakes, and hiking trails on the very edge of Appalachian culture. Classic upcountry mill villages, complete with factories, housing, and company stores, offer a glimpse of small-town life little changed since the peak of textile production. The SC Botanical Gardens of Clemson University and the beauty of the region's numerous state parks make this area famous for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation mountain settings.