Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area

Keowee-Toxaway State Park covers a total area of about 1,000 acres of upcountry land in Pickens County, South Carolina and along the shores of Lake Keowee that was created in the 1970s from land that was previously owned by Duke Power. You can access the park by taking Exit 1 off I-85 which is near the border with Georgia. You should then drive about 38 miles along Highway 11 and look for the clearly marked road signs that indicate the exact location of the park.

Some of the special features of the Keowee-Toxaway State Park include access to the 18,500-acre Lake Keowee. The park also provides access to magnificent rock outcrops that can be found along the parks hiking trails. The park is also a natural habitat for plant and animal species including animals like the white-tailed deer and the black bear. Plant species include rare wildflowers like Alleghany Spurge and Ginseng.

Besides the natural splendor at the park, you can also enjoy several recreational activities including hiking, fishing, backpacking, camping, and boating. Amenities within the park that facilitate these activities include 5.5 miles of trails for hiking and walking, 13-bedroom cabins with a private dock (can accommodates up to 10 people), 14 tent sites for tent camping only, 10 standard campsites for RVs or tents, five picnic shelters, one canoe/kayak access point, museum, gift shop, and an education center.

If you bring your dog into the park, you should be aware of the standard South Carolina State Park rules. Some of the rules with regards to dogs and dog owners include the following. First, you must avoid taking your dog into lodges and around lodge areas. You must generally maintain immediate control of your dog at all times and you are expected to always keep your dog on a leash no longer than six feet long or confine your pooch in a secured enclosure. If you take a walk with your dog around the park, make sure that your dog is well-behaved or else you risk your dog being kicked out of the park. Behavior that is deemed to be a nuisance includes unnecessary noise as well as threatening and harassing behavior towards other wildlife in the park. That said, you are allowed to access most outdoor areas of the park.