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Big Family Fun in Upcountry, SC

    Tucked away in the northwest corner of South Carolina, the Upcountry offers a great vacation value and fabulous adventure for big families.

    Upcountry Lodging

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    Instead of a traditional hotel, consider this quaint, family friendly bed and breakfast in a bucolic mountaintop setting instead. Each room at the Sunrise Farm B&B offers a unique experience. Larger families requiring the entire main house may qualify for an additional discount (inquire at booking). From the fresh-baked cookies each evening to the scrumptious four-course breakfast each morning, guests enjoy every moment of the day at Sunrise Farm.

    Outdoor Adventure

    Fueled with a homey breakfast, head outdoors to explore the lakes, rivers and waterfalls of Oconee County. “Oconee” is the Cherokee word for “land beside the water,” perfectly suitable to this region which is home to more than 300 waterfalls.

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    One of the most accessible waterfalls is Issaqueena Falls, named for a Creek Indian maiden who hid on a ledge here to avoid capture during an Indian attack. This same area offers a picnic pavilion and Stumphouse Tunnel Park. Stumphouse Tunnel was begun in 1852 to connect Charleston to Knoxville by railway to move cotton inland. The Civil War and a lack of funds halted the project, and it was never restarted. Today, the tunnel is preserved to remember the efforts of pre-Civil War engineering.

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    Besides the falls, the many lakes and rivers in the region offer boating, kayaking and fishing. Lake Hartwell, often called the “Great Lakes of the South,” is a popular tourist destination across the southeast with 14 million visitors annually. It has nine campground areas and 15 day-use areas for boating, picnics, swimming and fishing. Lake Keowee, named for the Cherokee town of Keowee that once stood there, was created by Duke Power for energy production. The lake is a popular vacation destination and offers public boat docks. Lake Jocassee, rated one of “50 of the World’s Last Great Places” by National Geographic, offers crystal clear water for scuba diving, camping, trout fishing, and more.

    For those who prefer dry land, Oconee County offers a variety of trails, from easy to strenuous, for adventurers of every kind. To explore options online visit the South Carolina State Trails Program, which provides information on length of trails, difficulty levels and driving directions to the trailhead.

    Karen Dawkins

    Karen Dawkins

    Today’s post was written by Karen Dawkins at Family Travels on a Budget. Besides planning great vacations and staycations, Karen enjoys cooking, playing games and walking her dog, Daisy. Karen’s vacation ideas have been featured in Woman’s Day Magazine and the Homeschool Handbook as well as on several different websites. Keep in touch with her on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.