Plus a 1 Day Sample Itinerary From a Travel Expert!
I’ve invited fellow travel expert and blogger, Natalie from CampingKiddos.com, to share her favorite day trip to Walhalla, SC, complete with a specially curated one-day itinerary just for you!
As a seasoned traveler who has explored the Walhalla area extensively, Natalie brings a wealth of both professional insights and personal experiences.
So, let’s dive in and discover what gems she has in store for us today!
Guest Post by Natalie Vereen-Davis at CampingKiddos.com
Day Trip to Walhalla, SC
Walhalla, South Carolina, is the perfect day trip from Western North Carolina! This adorable small town has plenty for everyone: waterfall hikes, local history, antique shopping, and 2 state parks. Beautiful year round, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Walhalla no matter the season.
In this itinerary, you’ll find suggestions perfect for the first time visitor. By the time you’re done, you’ll have explored all over this gorgeous corner of South Carolina.
Directions to Walhalla, South Carolina From North Carolina
Getting to Walhalla is a bit of a challenge as it’s hidden away on picturesque back roads. Highway 28 connects Walhalla to both Seneca, SC, and Highlands, NC. If you then take Highway 123 from Seneca back towards Anderson, SC, you will connect up with I-85, which takes you to Atlanta, Greenville, and beyond.
How close is Walhalla to North Carolina?
Via Highway 28, Walhalla, South Carolina, is only 31 miles to the closest town in North Carolina, the equally adorable Highlands, North Carolina.
However, you’re traveling through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains for the entirety of this drive, so it will take closer to an hour to navigate those winding roads (and stop at a couple of overlooks along the way!).
Map of Walhalla
The closest big city in North Carolina to Walhalla is Asheville, which is a manageable 92 miles away.
In fact, most of Western North Carolina is within easy reach from things to do in Walhalla,
🚗 with Cherokee, North Carolina, being situated 81 miles to the north
🚗 and Brevard only 50 miles to the northeast.
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History of Walhalla, SC
Walhalla, South Carolina, is one of those success stories you always hope to hear about. For years, the downtown area was lackluster, mostly due to stores moving out to other areas. A few antique stores clung on, but Walhalla wasn’t really a destination.
Then, about a decade ago, the powers that be decided to revitalize Walhalla’s downtown and work hard to attract visitors to the many incredible outdoor adventures that lay just outside of the town.
Today, Walhalla is a star in the South Carolina Upstate that sees visitors from all over the South—and beyond!
You’ll see students from nearby Clemson University hiking alongside visitors from other states on the trails, and you might sit next to a local and a new friend from overseas at one of the restaurants.
When is the Best Time to Visit Walhalla, SC?
While there’s no bad time to visit Walhalla, you’ll see the most outdoor adventure opportunities, open stores, and extended restaurant hours from April to October.
The spring brings colorful wildflowers on the trails, making this a great time to visit with fewer crowds and cooler temperatures.
The summer means water sports in this area as the local lakes are warm enough to swim in, boat on, kayak in, and sunbathe near. It’s also the perfect time to go waterfall hunting.
If you’re looking for more things to do in Walhalla, check out my ultimate South Carolina waterfall road trip itinerary, with many of the stops in and around Walhalla.
The fall is probably my favorite time to go as the leaves explode into a myriad of colors. There is nothing more magical than exploring the forests surrounding Walhalla in the fall!
However, crowds can be higher on the popular trails, so plan to go early at places like Yellow Branch Falls or Issaqueena Falls.
Where should I stay in Walhalla?
As Walhalla is small, there aren’t a ton of options for accommodations. However, I’m recommending my favorites that are within easy driving distance of downtown.
Camping in Walhalla
Budget friendly: If you’re looking for a super low cost way to spend your time in Walhalla, there’s no better way to do so than some free camping!
There are several areas in the nearby Sumter National Forest with free camping, but our favorite is the Grapevine. It’s first-come, first-served, but the sites have water and vault toilets onsite.
Hotels Near Walhalla
Mid range: The Fairfield Inn and Suites in nearby Seneca is a great mid-range option for families. This hotel was built recently and is conveniently located about 10 minutes south of downtown Walhalla.
Rentals in Walhalla
Unique: Rent a cabin at Oconee State Park, just a few miles north of downtown Walhalla. Many were built by the CCC during the Great Depression and include both 1 and 2 bedroom options.
Step back in time into this 1890’s shop-keepers’ homes turned into Lofts!
Sample 1 Day Itinerary
Morning:
Breakfast suggestion: Start your day at Mountain Mocha on Main Street, which serves up delicious coffee concoctions, breakfast sandwiches, and ice cream. You’re sure to rub shoulders with locals here as it’s a popular coffee shop.
What to do: Shop your way along downtown, stopping in the antique stores to see what you can find. There are also several boutiques offering up mugs, clothing, blankets, home decor, and more.
Downtown parking is free and typically plentiful.
Afternoon:
Lunch suggestion: Trailhead Tavern is a block off of Main Street, which puts it in easy walking distance at the end of your shopping session. Get a burger and fries or a big basket of wings.
What to do: It’s time to head out on the trail! Go north on Highway 28 to access one of the many trails in this area.
There are several at Oconee State Park, as well as the popular Issaqueena Falls trail. The latter also has access to a unique feature in this area: Stumphouse Tunnel. Originally, it was started as a railroad tunnel that was never finished as the Civil War ended.
In the early 1900s, this is where Clemson University aged its famous bleu cheese. Today, it’s a spooky, weird walk into the side of the mountain.
Evening:
Dinner Suggestion: Go to the Walhalla Steakhouse, where they offer up everything but steak! This town institution is known for its delicious fried chicken and sides, like macaroni and cheese, rice and gravy, and green beans.
The sweet tea is the best in town.
What to do: After dinner, Walhalla gets pretty sleepy, but you can get one sunset hike in over at Oconee Station State Park (which is a different one than Oconee State Park, mentioned above).
The Station Cove Falls is a quick 1.5 mile out-and-back that’s the perfect way to end the day here.
For more suggestions on how to fill your time, check out my list of the best things to do in Walhalla, South Carolina!
About the Natalie from CampingKiddos.com:
Hi, I’m Natalie! I spent several years of my childhood exploring the South Carolina Upstate as I lived in Seneca and went to elementary school in Anderson. As a young adult, I went back to this beautiful corner of my home state to attend Clemson University for my undergraduate degree. I even married a guy from nearby Anderson, South Carolina, so we’re back in the area often to visit my in-laws. Now that we live in the Charleston, SC, area, we love going to the SC and NC mountains for a quick getaway, and Walhalla is one of our favorite locations that we return to again and again!
I want to extend a warm “thank you” to Natalie for sharing her experience with us and coming up with this one day itinerary of things to do in Walhalla, just for us! ~Christy
Travel Resources
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