Discover Pickens
30 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Tablerock Viewpoint
Clifftop viewpoint in Table Rock State Park offering sweeping Appalachian ridge and valley panoramas, dramatic rock outcrops and fall-color panoramas. Best at golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for warm side-light and long shadows; autumn yields peak foliage. Park has entrance fee and a well-marked lot; short uneven trail and rocky ledges require sturdy shoes. Weekday mornings are quieter; weather can change quickly—bring layers and rain protection for gear.
Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway
Scenic drive along SC-11 through Blue Ridge foothills offering sweeping mountain vistas, rivers, waterfalls and fall foliage. Photograph layered ridgelines at golden hour, roadside overlooks (Caesar’s Head, Table Rock area), historic mountain towns and pastoral scenes. Accessible by car with frequent pull-outs; no entry fees but parking at popular overlooks/trails can be limited. Best in autumn for color, sunrise/sunset for drama; weekdays reduce traffic.
Sassafras Mountain Tower
Sassafras Mountain Tower sits on South Carolina's highest point, offering sweeping Blue Ridge panoramas, layered ridgelines and seasonal color—excellent for sunrise/sunset, cloud inversions and long-range landscape shots. The paved Sassafras Mountain Rd leads to a small free parking area; the short walk to the metal observation tower is easy but can be windy. Best at golden hour and on clear winter mornings for maximum visibility; fall brings dramatic foliage. Weekdays and early mornings reduce,
Botanical Gardens
Clemson University Botanical Gardens offers curated beds, native plant collections, woodland trails, a small pond and seasonal blooms — great for close-up plant and insect studies, intimate landscapes, and serene compositions. Best at golden hour for warm side light, or overcast for even macro lighting. Peak floral interest in spring and early summer and colorful foliage in fall. Grounds are free to the public with nearby campus parking; paths are mostly short and walkable, some wheelchair‑asss
Nine Times Preserve
Wooded preserve with rocky cascades, small waterfalls and winding streams — great for intimate landscape and waterscape shots, seasonal color and long-exposure water blur. Best at golden hour or after rain for peak flow; weekdays reduce hikers. Trails are moderate and rocky — wear sturdy shoes. Small gravel parking at the trailhead on E Preston McDaniel Rd; no gate fee but follow leave-no-trace rules and be careful on wet rocks.
Lazy Bear Winery
Lazy Bear Winery offers rolling vineyard rows, rustic barns, tasting patio and oak trees — ideal for intimate vineyard scenes, portraits with vine lines, and lifestyle shots during tastings. Visit golden hour for warm backlight and long shadows; weekdays or early mornings reduce crowds. Property is rural with on-site parking and casual tasting-room entry (check hours/fees). Seasonal grape foliage and event days add variety; bring insect repellent in summer.
Lake Oolenoy
Small reservoir set in the northern SC foothills offering calm-water reflections, shoreline coves, mature hardwoods and good seasonal color. Photographers can capture mirrored panoramas, intimate waterline details, and golden-hour silhouettes. Best at sunrise or sunset for low-angle light and glassy water; autumn yields vivid foliage. Site is roadside-accessible off E Ellison Ln with a small parking area and short walks to multiple viewpoints—check signage for any access rules and expect limited
Hanover House
Hanover House is an 18th‑century transplanted Carolina manor on the Clemson campus—timber framing, gabled roof, period gardens and mature trees offer classic architectural and detail shots. Best at golden hour or overcast for even textures; weekdays/early mornings avoid campus foot traffic. Street parking and campus lots nearby; check Clemson University Historic Properties for access hours and any entry restrictions.
Carillon Garden
Small, manicured garden centered on Clemson's carillon tower—great for combining architectural shots of the bell tower with seasonal flower beds, formal pathways and campus vistas. Best light is during golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for warm tones and long shadows; spring and fall offer peak color. Public and free to visit; accessible paths and nearby campus parking lots (check campus event schedules). Weekday mornings are quieter for portraits or tripod work.
Horseback Waterfall Tours
Guided horseback rides lead to secluded waterfalls and forested cascades—great for dynamic nature shots combining horses, riders and flowing water. Best after rainfall for fuller falls; golden hour and overcast days yield soft light and saturated greens. Access is via the tour operator (reservations required); parking available at the ranch. Trails can be muddy; respect animals and guides.
115 South Palmetto Boulevard
A walkable stretch in downtown Clemson adjacent to campus — pick up shots of brick storefronts, college-town details (Tiger signage, banners), pedestrians and seasonal foliage. Best at golden hour for warm light on masonry; blue hour captures neon and street lamps. Easily accessible on foot from campus with street parking and municipal lots nearby; no entry fees. Weekday mornings are quieter; game days bring vibrant crowds and energy but limited parking.
Long Shoals Wayside Park
Small roadside park on the North Saluda River featuring exposed shoals, riffles and sculpted granite—great for intimate river landscapes, long exposures and seasonal foliage. Easy pull-off on Scenic Hwy 11 with a compact parking area, no fee; short, uneven trails and slippery rocks so wear boots. Best at golden hour or after light rain when flow and reflections pop; fall color and low-water summer textures both reward photography.
Nalley Brown Nature Park
Small, wooded nature park with loop trails, creek crossings and patches of wetland—good for intimate forest scenes, creek long exposures, seasonal wildflowers and birdlife. Visit at golden hour for warm side-lighting through trees; spring and fall offer best color and life. Park at the trailhead lot (short walks to photo points); trails are mostly moderate dirt—sturdy shoes recommended. Weekday mornings are quieter; no permit for casual photography but check for event closures.
Meditation Garden
Small, tranquil campus meditation garden with winding paths, water features and mature plantings — great for intimate nature, reflection and detail shots. Best at sunrise or early morning for soft light and calm water; spring and fall offer peak color. Generally open to the public on Clemson campus; park in nearby campus lots and respect quiet / academic hours. Easy walking access, compact layout ideal for macro and low-angle compositions.
Upstate Gem Mining Company
Small family-oriented gem-mining attraction offering colorful rough gems, sluice boxes and hands-on sifting. Shoot tight macro details of sparkling stones, environmental portraits of families at work, and the textured wood and water troughs. Best on weekday mornings for fewer crowds; indoor/covered areas mean mixed lighting—bring a macro lens, small tripod or good high-ISO body. On-site entry fee applies; parking nearby. Friendly, informal setting that rewards detail and candid storytelling.
Fort Hill: National Historic Landmark
Fort Hill is John C. Calhoun’s Greek Revival plantation house set amid mature live oaks and formal grounds on Clemson University. Photographers can capture strong architectural lines, tree-framed compositions, seasonal color (magnolias, fall foliage) and campus context. Best light is golden hour and blue hour; weekdays and early mornings avoid campus foot traffic. The site is on university property—check Clemson’s visitor info for tours/entry; public viewing from adjacent sidewalks and parking.
Hopkins Wildlife Habitat Garden
Small but diverse habitat with ponds, marsh plantings, boardwalks and native wildflowers attracting songbirds, waterfowl, dragonflies and butterflies — great for intimate nature and waterscape shots. Best light is early morning and golden hour for reflections and active birds; weekday mornings offer fewer visitors. Grounds are on Clemson campus with easy parking nearby, mostly flat and accessible paths; no admission fee. Seasonal highlights: spring wildflowers, summer dragonflies, fall migrating
Jocassee Gorges Management Area
Jocassee Gorges offers rugged gorges, waterfalls, dense hardwood forest and mirror-like sections of Lake Jocassee — ideal for moody mist, fall color and long-exposure water shots. Access is via trailheads and gravel roads off Highway 178; parking at designated trailheads and boat ramps. No general entry fee but follow state wildlife and management rules; cellphone signal is spotty. Best light: sunrise for lake reflections, golden hour for ridge color, overcast or post-rain for saturated greens &
Pumpkintown Tree
A solitary, sculptural roadside tree standing in open pasture near Pumpkintown — excellent for dramatic silhouettes, seasonal color and wide rural compositions. Best at golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for warm light and long shadows; clear skies yield strong silhouettes. Accessible from the roadside with informal parking; watch for traffic and farm gates. No entry fees; respect private property and stay on public right-of-way. Spring and fall offer freshest color; winter reveals branch structure
Fort Rutledge
Small Civil War earthwork and wooded park near Clemson ideal for textured landscape and historical-detail shots: low stone walls, grassy embankments, interpretive markers and surrounding mixed hardwoods. Best at golden hour for warm side-light on earthworks or after rain for saturated greens. Easily accessible by road with informal parking; no entry fee. Expect seasonal color (spring leaves, fall foliage) and few crowds — good for quiet shooting. Trails can be uneven; wear boots.
Class of 1942 Golden Tigers Cadet Life Garden
A small memorial garden on Clemson University's campus featuring formal plantings, pathways, plaques and cadet-era motifs honoring the Class of 1942. Photograph intimate memorial details, seasonal plant textures, and compositional lines of the garden trail. Best at golden hour or blue hour for warm light and soft shadows; spring and fall offer peak color. Easily accessible from campus walkways with nearby visitor parking; respect memorial plaques and quiet atmosphere.
Bob Campbell Geology Museum
Compact geology museum on Clemson campus with striking mineral specimens, fossils and educational displays—great for close-up shots of crystals, textured fossils and interpretive signage. Best photographed on weekday mornings for low crowds; indoor gallery lighting is mixed (spotlights and display glass). Check hours and permit rules (no tripods or flash may be restricted). Free or campus parking nearby on Discovery Ln; building is accessible.
Hillcrest Memorial Park
A quiet memorial cemetery framed by mature oaks and manicured lawns offering intimate landscape and detail shots of headstones, sculptures and seasonal light. Best at golden hour or blue hour for dramatic side-light and long shadows; weekday mornings are least intrusive. Easy roadside access with small parking areas; remain respectful and avoid flash or posed shots of visitors. Good in autumn for color and after light rain for reflective surfaces.
Steel Silo
A tall steel grain silo offering strong geometric shapes and reflective textures against sky and surrounding fields. Shoot for contrast between the silo's cylindrical form and nearby trees/sky; dramatic at golden hour or under storm clouds. Easily visible from McGinty Ct with roadside pull-off parking; verify private property boundaries before approaching. Best visited at sunrise or late afternoon for warm side light and long shadows; weekdays have fewer cars.
The Hunt Cabin
A small historic-style log cabin set against wooded, rolling South Carolina hills—ideal for rustic architectural details, textured wood close-ups, seasonal leaf color and moody forest light. Visit golden hour for warm side light; overcast days for even detail. Likely on or near Clemson property—check campus/forest access rules and parking; approach on foot for quieter compositions. Weekday mornings reduce visitors and maintenance activity.
Friday Flyers #3 of 6
Small open field and gathering spot ideal for photographing model aircraft, kites, and action sequences of flying objects against wide Carolina skies. Best at golden hour or late-afternoon for warm side-light and dramatic clouds; also try overcast days for even light and faster shutter speeds. Easy street parking on McGinty Ct; mostly accessible on foot. Expect informal weekend meetups—ask pilots before shooting close-ups.
Friday Flyers #4 of 6
Small outdoor spot on the edge of Clemson campus popular for weekend frisbee/‘flyers’ gatherings and informal sports — great for action and environmental portraits showing motion against campus trees and nearby houses. Best at golden hour for warm sidelighting and long shadows; weekday evenings or early mornings avoid crowds. Easily accessible on foot or by car from Jersey Lane with street parking; no entry fee. Expect casual student activity; respect players and private yards.
Friday Flyers #5 of 6
Strode Tower is Clemson University's iconic 81-foot campanile — clean lines, gothic Revival details and surrounding oaks make it a strong subject for architectural and campus landscape photos. Shoot at golden hour or blue hour to capture warm stone against sky; nights offer dramatic backlit silhouette and illuminated clock faces. Easily accessible on campus with short walks from visitor parking; observe university event schedules and respect campus rules. Check drone restrictions (no-fly zones)
Friday Flyers #6 of 6
Small outdoor meet spot near Clemson University often used for model aircraft/drone flying and casual gatherings. Photographers can capture dynamic airborne subjects against open sky, silhouettes at golden hour, and candid community portraits. Best visited at sunrise or sunset for warm light and dramatic skies; weekends or Friday evenings are likeliest for activity. Site is roadside-accessible with informal parking on Perimeter Rd; check local rules and obtain permission before photographing or飞
Pickens Rifle Range
Active outdoor rifle range set in rural woodlands — appealing for documentary/industrial shots of firing lines, backstops, target frames, and textured metal/wood surfaces. Visit weekdays when quiet; obtain permission from range management before shooting. Parking available on-site at 203 Porter Rd; wear ear/eye protection if observing. Best light: golden hour for warm side-lighting on structures and long shadows; overcast for moody, contrast-reduced details.