Explore

Explore Upstate South Carolina through local stories, outdoor guides, community events, restaurants, and historic places. PumpkintownSC covers the foothills from Table Rock and Lake Jocassee to Pickens, Easley, Clemson, and the surrounding mountain communities.

Choose a section below to plan an adventure, research local history, discover an upcoming event, or find somewhere new to eat and explore.

Natural Bridge Trail at Keowee-Toxaway State Park: Two Waterfalls on a Short Upstate Hike

12 August, 2026

Meet One of the Upstate’s Most Misunderstood Insects: The Great Black Wasp

5 July, 2026

Meet the Eastern Box Turtle: One of the Upstate’s Most Remarkable Forest Residents

4 July, 2026

Jumping Off Rock: One of South Carolina’s Most Spectacular Overlooks

4 July, 2026

Twelve Mile Recreation Area: One of the Upstate’s Best Family Beach Days

3 July, 2026

The Buzz About Bumblebees: Why These Gentle Giants Are Some of South Carolina’s Most Important Pollinators

3 July, 2026

Why Honey Bees Can’t Resist Pear Tree Blossoms Each Spring

3 July, 2026

The Giant Spider Every South Carolina Hiker Should Know About

3 July, 2026

History & Heritage

This Week in Upstate History: October 7, 1880, A Rainy Road Trip Through the Upstate

3 October, 2026

The Forgotten Gunpowder Mill at Issaqueena Falls: What Happened to It?

23 September, 2026

The Lost Town of Tunnel Hill: The Forgotten Community Above Stumphouse Tunnel

23 September, 2026

This Week in History: Diphtheria Closed Walhalla High School in 1914

16 September, 2026

The Night the Mountains Broke Loose: The Great June Freshet of 1903

16 September, 2026

Why Do Some Old Houses Have Letters on Their Chimneys?

14 September, 2026

Hester Store: The Dacusville Landmark That Refuses to Disappear

14 September, 2026

The Bell Beside the Grave: A Strange Reminder of the Fear of Being Buried Alive

10 August, 2026

Plan Your Visit

The Perfect Weekend in Pickens County, South Carolina: A 3-Day Local Itinerary

19 September, 2026

U-Pick Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes Near Pickens, SC: Fall Guide

17 September, 2026

Fall for Pumpkintown: Come for the Festival, Stay for the Mountains

17 September, 2026

Pumpkintown & Oolenoy Valley Directory

14 September, 2026

The Ultimate Upstate South Carolina Fall Bucket List: Things to Do in 2026

14 September, 2026

Flying Through Asheville Regional Airport: Is AVL Worth the Drive from Upstate South Carolina?

1 September, 2026

Public Running Tracks Near Clemson, SC: Where to Run Laps

14 August, 2026

When the Mountains Wear the Clouds: A Summer Evening in the South Carolina Upstate

14 August, 2026

Events

Dacusville Farm Show Celebrates Tractors, Tradition, and Community

6 September, 2026

Clemson Welcome Back Festival: The Night Downtown Clemson Comes Alive

17 August, 2026

When Will Fall Colors Peak in Pumpkintown, SC in 2026?

14 August, 2026

New Clear Bag and Weapons Screening Policy for Pickens County School Events

13 August, 2026

South Carolina Bigfoot Festival 2026: Your Complete Guide to Westminster’s Biggest Weekend

8 August, 2026

Collective Soul at Harrah’s Cherokee: Complete Concert Guide for Upstate South Carolina Visitors

12 July, 2026

Steppin’ in Pickens Brings Square Dancing Back to Downtown This July

12 July, 2026

Hagood Mill Banjo Extravaganza: Complete Visitor Guide

12 July, 2026

Eat & Shop Local

Merrill’s Pizza: One of Easley’s Go-To Spots for a Giant Slice

12 July, 2026

The Massive Discount Book Warehouse Most Upstate Residents Don’t Know About

29 June, 2026

Build Your Own To-Go Espresso at Dacusville Pizza Stop

29 June, 2026

Building a Rustic Wooden Cross: A Simple Project with Lasting Meaning

26 June, 2026

Echo Plaza: The Last Stop Before the Mountains

24 June, 2026

The Highway 25 Peach Trail: A Summer Tradition in the Upstate

24 June, 2026

Needful Things: A Treasure Hunt Hidden Along Highway 11

22 June, 2026

Pumpkintown Mountain Opry: The Upstate’s Hidden Gem for BBQ, Coffee, Ice Cream, and Mountain Views

21 June, 2026