Play mini-golf at this South Carolina State Park

Have you visited Oconee State Park in Mountain Rest, SC? This state park has everything from mini-golf to wooden checker tables, great hiking, and boating on the lake. Local mom Andrea Beam visited with her family and is sharing her experience!

Looking for other things to do in Oconee County? Check out our Guide to Oconee County to plan the perfect day trip throughout this gorgeous Upstate county!

We set out on an overcast (misting rain, which is so much worse, if you ask me) day to visit two parks.  Our first stop, Oconee State Park, made a mess of our well-laid plans. There’s so much to do, even in the rain!

Driving through the park, I felt like we were adventuring through the Blue Ridge Parkway. So much foliage, it didn’t matter that it was raining.

Putt-Putt Golf and Things to Do at Oconee State Park

The office/trading post invites adventurers to relax on a large covered porch with rocking chairs, benches and Adirondack chairs. They have checker-board tables complete with big wooden checkers. Everything is made of wood, giving this spot a beautiful mountain feel.

Putt Putt on the Carpet Golf Course

Less energetic family members can enjoy resting on the porch while others play a round of putt-putt on a well-maintained 18-hole carpet golf course adjacent to the trading post.

This is the first putt-putt course we’ve seen in a State Park! The cost is $5 per adult and $3 per child, ages 5 and under are free. Clubs and balls can be obtained from the park office.

Playgrounds

The park has a total of three playgrounds for the youngest members of your group to enjoy. Oconee has Wi-Fi, which is a pleasant surprise in a state park, so you’ll be able to sit back and surf the web while they play your kids play.

Boats and Swimming at Oconee State Park

A short walk down to the lake lands you on a huge covered brick porch with more rockers and Adirondack chairs. There is swimming and lifeguards (in season). Another playground, with volleyball nets, sits a few feet from the lake.

Rent Kayaks and Pedal for $10/hr!

If you like water sports, you can rent pedal boats, kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, and johnboats. It’s only $10 per hour to rent canoes, pedal boards, and kayaks. Canoes and kayaks are only available for rent seasonally, but pedal boats are year-round. You can also choose to rent kayaks, canoes, and boats for the entire day for $50. This is a great price for rentals and an awesome opportunity to give these water sports a try!

Hiking at Oconee State Park

Six wooded nature trails are havens for hikers. The park serves as the western trailhead for the Foothills Trail – South Carolina’s seventy-seven-mile wilderness hike on the Blue Ridge Escarpment. A spur trail beginning on Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina’s highest peak, connects The Foothills Trail with Caesars Head and the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area.

Camping

If you just can’t get enough of this beautiful state park, you can make reservations to camp as well at walk-in tent sites and RV camping. Tent camping is limited to two tents per site. RV camping comes with electrical and water hook-ups, with some having sewer hook-ups as well. You must reserve for at least two nights.

Festivals and Events

Oconee State Park hosts a range of festivities and holiday events from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Square dancing is a seventy-year tradition at Oconee. Dances are usually held in the barn on Friday nights from 7 to 9 pm, featuring live bluegrass music and callers. You will also see events around major holidays, including Halloween and Christmas events.

Regardless of your age or interests, Oconee State Park is a perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors!

Have you visited Oconee State Park?