Best Things to Do in Walhalla, SC for Families
Escape to the prettiest corner of the Upstate as you explore the best things to do in Walhalla SC!
This adorable little town is the perfect base for outdoor adventure for your family as there are ample opportunities for hiking, camping, kayaking, and more.
I spent my elementary school years living in this area and can attest that it is a outdoor wonderland all year ‘round.
My family goes back to camp and explore multiple times a year, so we’ve got the most up-to-date advice for your trip.
As always, the suggestions you’ll find here are chosen specifically with families in mind, so even the youngest of your crew will be able to enjoy your visit.
Here, you’ll find the best and most family friendly suggestions on where to eat, what to do, and where to explore in Walhalla, South Carolina!
Cabins at Oconee State Park
Where is Walhalla SC?
Walhalla, SC, is a small town located about an hour northwest of Greenville, SC, making it easily accessible from I-85.
As the entire Upstate of South Carolina grows, these smaller towns have seen quite a revitalization in recent years, which is incredibly exciting!
Walhalla is also just 7 miles from Seneca, South Carolina, and about 20 miles from Clemson, South Carolina—home to Clemson University (and my alma mater).
Walhalla’s location means that you’ll have plenty of stores and restaurants within a short driving distance, but you’re also just minutes away from incredible waterfalls and hiking trails.
Where to Go Hiking Near Walhalla SC
One reason that we return again and again to this area is the incredible number of hiking trails that are within a few minutes’ drive of downtown Walhalla.
Highway 28, which serves as Walhalla’s main street, quickly shuttles visitors into the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains, where multiple kid-friendly hiking trails await.
The Camping Kiddos at Yellow Branch Falls
Yellow Branch Falls Trail
The Yellow Branch Falls hike is one of our favorites, with an easy 3 mile out-and-back trail, stream crossings, and waterfall.
There’s a dedicated parking lot, vault toilets and picnic tables at the trailhead, which makes for a great family day out near Walhalla.
At the base of the falls, your kids can wade in the water before heading back.
Right across Highway 28 from the Yellow Branch Falls parking lot is another can’t-miss location: Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls.
Stumphouse Tunnel
The ominous entrance to Stumphouse Tunnel
The short hike into Stumphouse Tunnel is like something out of a fairy tale as you enter a gaping hole in the side of a mountain!
This fascinating place started as a Civil War project to construct a railroad track through this section of the Blue Ridge, but was called off when the war ended—and the project was left half finished.
For years, nearby Clemson University aged their famous blue cheese in the cool, damp, and dark confines of the man-made cave.
When I was a kid, the tunnel was open to the public all the way to the end; more recently, part of it has been closed off, so you can’t go as far back as you once could.
Still, walking into the dark tunnel while water drips all around you is a fun experience for the entire family!
Bring a flashlight for the best results as it gets quite dark as you move away from the entrance.
Issaqueena Falls
The Camping Kiddos family and our friends, photo taken on a potato c. 2017
Issaqueena Falls is a beautiful waterfall with a short hike to the main overlook.
You can get to the place where our photo was taken fairly easily—and I did so wearing our then-1 year old and helping our 4-year-old.
If you’d like to go further down to the base of the falls, it will require a lot of scrambling down steep areas scattered with rocks.
Older kids will be able to navigate this short but intense hike, but I wouldn’t recommend it for younger hikers or anyone using a baby hiking carrier.
If you’re interested in extending your hike, you can complete the Stumphouse Mountain Passage of the Palmetto Trail, which is a point-to-point hike from the parking lot off of Highway 28.
Taking a break from splashing in the water at Station Cove Falls
Station Cove Falls Trail
Another of the best waterfalls in Walhalla can be found inside Oconee Station State Historic Site, a short 15-minute drive from downtown.
The trailhead is located just past the state park entrance on Oconee Station Road. The trailhead is well marked, and there are several places to park on the roadside.
The Station Cove Falls trail is an easy, flat 1.6 miles total (out-and-back) with one of the prettiest waterfalls I’ve ever seen at the end.
If you’re hiking with a toddler, and want a great beginner trail, this is the one you should do with your family.
You can extend the Station Cove Falls trail by tacking on another 2.7 miles of the Oconee Connector Passage of the Palmetto Trail, which ends inside Oconee State Park.
Oconee Station Trail
The Camping Kiddos on the Oconee Station Trail
Another, easier way to extend the Station Cove Falls trail is to cross Oconee Station Road at the trail head and take the Oconee Station Trail back to the site’s historic homes.
If you take the Oconee Station Trail, it’s another 0.8 miles one way (to the Oconee Station Historic Site parking lot and historic homes).
You could make this into a loop by walking on the shoulder of Oconee Station Road back to the Station Cove Falls trailhead.
It’s a 2-lane road, but there’s a distinct path worn down, which I felt safe enough to do solely with my 6-year-old.
Riley Moore Falls Trail
Riley Moore Falls and the PERFECT swimming hole!
A bit further out of downtown Walhalla is the Riley Moore Falls Trail, which leads to the perfect swimming hole for summer!
Following another easy, kid-friendly trail, this 2 mile out-and-back hike will take you through a beautiful pine forest to an unspoiled little beach.
For more directions, information on how to park, and what to bring for a successful hike, check out my Riley Moore Falls trail guide.
If you’re hiking with little ones, this trail is NOT to be missed—my kids ask to go back here every time we’re in the area.
If you need more waterfalls in your life, you could easily spend a week exploring them all on my South Carolina waterfalls road trip itinerary!
Old Waterwheel Trail
At the halfway point on the Old Waterwheel Trail
This (almost) loop trail will lead your family down into the historic area of Oconee State Park, where you’ll see the ruins of a building and waterwheel.
The 1.2 mile hike is well marked and nicely maintained, and, while there is a bit of an incline on the second half, it’s nothing that our toddler couldn’t handle on his first trip.
Note that it’s almost a loop as the beginning and ending points are less than a quarter mile from one another.
You will need to walk along a paved, 2 lane road within the park to get back to the parking lot and trailhead.
We felt safe completing this with our two small kids as there is very little traffic.
Recommended Camping near Walhalla SC
After all of that adventuring, you’ll need a place to rest your head.
While Walhalla has a few smaller hotels on the outskirts, we prefer to experience the wonderful outdoors here through camping.
Here are our tried-and-true camping recommendations near Walhalla.
Oconee State Park
Our pop up in site 5 at Oconee State Park
We recommend Oconee State Park camping for the perfect home base while you’re visiting Walhalla.
Oconee State Park Campsites
If you have an RV or would like to try car or tent camping, Oconee State Park has more than 100 campsites to choose from.
The water and electric sites can accommodate everything from a pop-up to a big rig.
There are 2 tent camping sections (with potable water). These offer designated parking with a short hike-in to each of the sections.
Just check the Oconee State Park website for detailed information on each campsite, including maximum RV length and site photos.
If you’d rather stay in a cabin, there are more than 2 dozen historic cabins built by the CCC in the 1930s.
What to Do at Oconee State Park
While you’re there, you’ll have SO MANY activities to choose from!
There’s a well-loved but fun mini golf course next to the campground entrance, a lake with diving boards, Friday night square dances, and a huge playground near the office.
Plus, there are multiple trails within the park for hiking near your RV. (See specific recommendations above in our hiking section.)
We love going to Oconee State Park, and have camped there multiple times and stayed in the cabins.
There’s so much to do there that it made our list of best state parks in South Carolina for camping!
The state park is less then 20 minutes north of Walhalla on Highway 28.
Grapevine Primitive Campground
My husband on one of our tent camping trips to Grapevine Campground
While the site costs are quite reasonable at Oconee State Park, you might want to go even cheaper while camping near Walhalla.
And what’s better than free?!
The Grapevine Primitive Campground is located inside of Sumter National Forest, and is a first-come, first-served campground.
While each campsite is technically a boondocking site, the small campground does offer potable water and vault toilets.
You can tent camp here as we have done, but we’ve also seen little pop-up trailers in some of the sites as well.
This campground is about 25 minutes north of Walhalla, putting you in great driving distance for all of our recommended hikes, restaurants, and other adventures.
NOTE: the campground entrance off of Chattooga Ridge Road is not well marked, and it’s quite a ways (about 1.5 miles) from the paved Chattooga Ridge Road to the actual campground.
We’ve stayed here with our kids and they loved the sites near the river. Just note that the banks down to the river can be steep in place, so use standard water safety for little ones.
Must-Visit Restaurants in Walhalla SC
Downtown Walhalla is SO cute, and it’s a wonderful place to spend an afternoon in Upstate South Carolina.
When you get hungry, head to Main Street as all of our recommendations are there.
No day in Walhalla is complete without lunch at the Steakhouse Cafeteria.
Oddly enough, this meat-and-three offers up excellent fried chicken and mac and cheese, but no steak. (I found this fact extremely confusing as a child!)
Work your way along the serving line to pick up some tasty country eats, and don’t forget to top off your meal with a big glass of sweet tea.
The Steakhouse Cafeteria gets very busy on Sundays after the local churches let out, so either beat the rush with an early lunch or aim for a different day.
In other strangely-named restaurants in Walhalla, Pete’s Drive-in only has a dine-in area!
The affordable meals are served up in a dining area with plenty of throw backs to the days of poodle skirts and true drive-ins.
We prefer the classic cheeseburger plate with onion rings and a cookie dough milkshake.
Excellent sandwiches, paninis and coffee creations await at the Mountain Mocha Coffeehouse.
Here, your family can choose from one of the many freshly made sandwiches, served with your choice of side.
The avocado toast is delicious, and we all couldn’t resist a couple of scoops of ice cream before we left.
What Else To Do While in Walhalla SC
Downtown Walhalla decorated for Christmas | source
Shopping in Downtown Walhalla
Don’t forget to pick up the perfect souvenir in downtown Walhalla!
Along Main Street, you’ll find several antique shops which are perfect for poking around in.
You’ll find everything from vintage Pyrex to children’s books to antique furniture here in shop like Memories on Main.
Sunni Ann Mercantile is adorable, and offers up trendy clothes, home decor, locally made candles and gifts.
We love stopping by here to see what’s new each time we’re in town.
Mountain Mocha Coffee (see above) also has a great selection of earrings, bracelets, and wall decor that visitors can browse while sipping a cup of joe.
Local Learning Opportunities
If you’re looking to add some education to your trip—and if you’re anything like me, you are!—Walhalla has several fun and inexpensive ways to do so.
Oconee Station Historic Site has 2 buildings on its property that helps tell the story of the late colonial period in this area.
Unlike the bustling colonial cities of Charleston and Columbia, the Piedmont area (then the frontier) required grit and determination to succeed.
Explore the military outpost that was once here before going on a short—0.8 miles one way—but scenic hike from the parking lot past a small pond.
NOTE: The Oconee Station hike leads to Oconee Station Road, across which is the trailhead for Station Cove Falls. See “Hiking in Walhalla” section above for more details on Station Cove Falls.
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian in South Carolina on Short Street (behind the Oconee County Courthouse) is small but fascinating. Here, your family can explore the Native artifacts that were found in this area.
You’ll also learn about the Cherokee tribe who have called this part of South Carolina home for thousands of years.
Build on that history with a visit to the Oconee History Museum, where you can learn about early settlers to this area, the textile mills that brought prosperity in the mid-1900s, and more.
Your kids will like the children’s corner where there are hands-on exhibits about the county’s history (but, honestly, the entire museum is pretty kid-friendly).
Both museums are open Thursday-Saturday 11 AM-4 PM, and you could easily do both in the same day.
Walhalla Visitor FAQs
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During the summer and fall, the weather is generally cool and comfortable with temperatures in the 70s during the day and in the 50s in the evening.
Winters can be a mixed bag from day to day. Sometimes, the weather will be crisp and clear in the 60s, while other days will see snow. In general, South Carolina weather is spastic!
The summers are warm and humid and can often top 80 degrees during the day.
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There’s an Ingles at the intersection of Highway 28 and Highway 11 just south of Walhalla’s downtown.
Here, you can find everything you’ll need for a great camping trip including food, drinks, ice, freshly made desserts, and seasonal items.
There’s also a Starbucks inside if you need a coffee while you shop.
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While you and your family could explore Walhalla’s downtown in a day, you’ll need at least 3-4 days to complete our list of must-do activities.
The first day in town can be exploring Main Street and a museum or two, then the remaining days can be devoted to completing a few hikes and swimming in the lake at Oconee State Park.
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Spring, summer, and fall are our favorite times to visit.
Spring brings blankets of beautiful wildflowers along the local hiking trails.
Summer is warm enough that the cool waterfall water is perfect for a quick dip.
Fall is a riot of changing colors! For peak leaf colors, aim for the last week in October and first week in November.
