The City of Pickens invite you and your family to come and see for yourself why Pickens is such a great place to live, work or visit. People are drawn to Pickens for its scenic beauty. The Blue Wall of the Appalachians lies just north of town and can be seen from Main Street. This escarpment marks the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The northern tier of Pickens County is home to Jocassee Gorges – more than 30,000 acres of state-protected recreational paradise with boundless hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting and boating opportunities. And resting on Pickens County’s borderline with North Carolina is South Carolina’s highest peak – 3,554-foot Sassafras Mountain.

Those who locate here find good people who value family, friends, and a relaxed lifestyle. They enjoy a climate with four true seasons. There’s winter enough to enjoy but not to be burdensome. Summers are warm enough to allow for full enjoyment of our lakes and rivers. Magnificent fall colors and spring blossoms round out the calendar.

Just 20 minutes from downtown Pickens, Scenic Highway 11 runs through northern Pickens County, providing easy access to Table Rock State Park and other magnificent sites. Greenville and Anderson are about 30 minutes away on the thriving I-85 corridor and the Pickens County Airport is 6 miles to the south. Clemson University is about 20 minutes away.

A fascinating old jail (built in 1902) houses part of the Pickens County Museum, seen in the background behind Mayor David Owens at City Hall.

Glassy Mountain’s SC Heritage Preserve hiking trail goes through forests and rock outcroppings. http://dnr.sc.gov/managed/heritage/glassymtn/description.html

Native Plant gardens with a winding interpretive trail surround the Pickens County Museum of Art and History in downtown Pickens. The Museum Gift Shop offers the work of 90 local and regional fine, traditional, and folk artisans, including pottery, baskets, jewelry, woodcarvings, Native American Art, educational and historical toys and books. http://www.co.pickens.us/culturalcommission

The town of Pickens, named for the Revolutionary War hero, General Andrew Pickens, was moved in 1868 from its location on the banks of the Keowee River to this area of natural beauty, with a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, so that the County Seat would be near the center of the county.

Visitors enjoy the Veterans Memorial at the county courthouse and the Medal of Honor Exhibit at the Pickens County Museum, both located in downtown Pickens. http://www.co.pickens.us/veterans

Within Pickens city limits is the Town Creek Trail offering a leisurely 2 1/2 mile stroll through the woods along a beautiful creek with picturesque shoals.

Much of the city’s past is present today, giving a glimpse of its rich and fascinating heritage. Pickens County is proud to have the most Medal of Honor recipients per capita in the nation. This mixture of past and present makes Pickens a place of historical interest and significance. Nature-based tourism abounds in Pickens County, which is bordered by mountains to the north and lakes to the west. Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee and Lake Hartwell offer unlimited outdoor adventures, as well as incredibly beautiful home sites.

The City of Pickens has 4,000 residents, but more than 20,000 people claim Pickens as home. Residents enjoy the comfortable atmosphere of a friendly small town situated in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the vibrant Upstate region with abundant cultural, educational and economic opportunities.

In 1868 the Hagood Mauldin House was disassembled, each board and beam carefully numbered and loaded onto wagons, then reconstructed at its present site in downtown Pickens. http://www.NationalRegister.SC.gov/pickens/nrpickens.htm

Pickens Flea Market, located 3 miles west of Pickens on Highway183, one of the largest flea markets in the South, draws thousands of buyers and sellers every Wednesday morning.

Pickens County Airport has a 5000-foot runway that can accommodate 35,000-pound single wheel and 65,000 pound double wheel aircraft. http://www.PickensAirport.com

Antique shops, an old-fashioned hardware store, gift shops and restaurants will welcome you to downtown Pickens. The Village Branch of the Pickens County Library System is one block off Main Street. Downtown Pickens is a great place to take a break, have lunch, and shop for antiques on Main Street.

For more information about Pickens and the surrounding area, check out

http://www.TourPickensCounty.net

http://www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com (Type Pickens I search box), http://www.TheUpcountry.com, and http://www.SCHiway.net/tourism.