5 Easy Day Trips From Clemson, SC to Explore Nearby
Daniel Sanders & Co. April 2, 2024
Daniel Sanders & Co. April 2, 2024
The five trips above are all a short drive from town. Below, our team at Daniel Sanders & Co. puts them side by side, adds farther options for when you have a full day, and shows how easy access to the lakes, small towns and mountains can shape where you choose to live. If you are curious about the homes behind these destinations, start with our Clemson, SC homes for sale.
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Use this table to match a trip to your mood. The first five are the trips covered above, and Table Rock State Park is a good step up when you want a mountain day.
Destination | Best for | Learn more on our site |
|---|---|---|
Pendleton | A historic square, local shops and cafes. | |
Central | Small-town events and a railway-heritage downtown. | |
Six Mile | Foothill trails and quiet countryside. | |
Lake Hartwell | Boating, fishing, parks and game-day weekends. | |
Lake Keowee | Clear water, a long shoreline and lakeside parks. | |
Table Rock State Park | Mountain hiking, waterfalls and a swimming lake. |
Source for Table Rock State Park: South Carolina State Parks, Table Rock State Park, accessed October 2026. Hours, fees and trail conditions change, so confirm them with the park before you go.
Start with how you want the day to feel, then pick the stop that fits.
Walk a historic town
Wander a town square, browse local shops and settle in at a cafe.
Catch a small-town event
Central's downtown hosts community events through the year.
Hike and see waterfalls
Foothill trails and mountain parks are a short drive away.
Spend a day on the water
Hartwell and Keowee each offer a different kind of lake day.
Eat and sip your way around
Pair a trip with a coffee shop or a local restaurant stop.
Make it a game-day weekend
Plan around the home football calendar before you pick a date.
Play a round of golf
Several courses and clubs sit within easy reach of Clemson.
Take in the arts
Galleries, performances and public art fill out a slower day.
People searching for day trips from Clemson often want more than a short hop. Clemson University's own guide for new residents lists these drive times from Clemson, and they decide whether a trip works as a day or needs an overnight.
About 1.5 hours
Asheville
About 2 hours
Atlanta
About 2.5 hours
Charlotte
About 4 hours
Charleston
Source: Clemson University Libraries, Living in the Upstate, SC: Quick Trips (updated August 2025). Drive times depend on traffic.
Destination | What to do | Day or overnight? |
|---|---|---|
Asheville, NC | Arts, historic architecture and the Biltmore Estate. Hendersonville is a mountain town nearby. | Full day |
Atlanta, GA | The Beltline trail, museums and a large restaurant scene. | Long day |
Charlotte, NC | A big-city day, including the National Whitewater Center for rafting, kayaking and climbing. | Long day |
Athens, GA | A college town with a music scene and a historic downtown of galleries and restaurants. | Full day |
Blue Ridge mountain towns | Waterfalls, hikes and mountain towns such as Highlands and Cashiers. | Full day or overnight |
Great Smoky Mountains area | Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are the gateway towns to the Smokies. | Overnight is easier |
Charleston, SC | Historic downtown streets plus Folly Beach and Sullivan's Island nearby. | Overnight |
Source: Clemson University Libraries, Quick Trips. The day-or-overnight column is our team's suggestion based on those drive times.
Our team's tip: for a long-drive destination, leave early, pick one main stop and build in a buffer for traffic. A closer trip, like the ones above, pairs well with a second stop such as a lakeside meal.
Many buyers who love a day trip start asking what it would be like to live there. Each destination above comes with its own housing options, so use these guides to compare them.
Pendleton
A historic town with a square, local shops and older homes.
Lake Hartwell
Waterfront living and a game-day base.
Lake Keowee
Lake living a short drive from Clemson.
4%
Assessment ratio, owner-occupied primary residence
6%
Assessment ratio, second or vacation home
Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue, Tax Incentives and Exemptions Directory, Chapter 5: Individual Property Tax (2025). The lower ratio takes effect when the county assessor approves an owner's application. Confirm current rules with the county assessor.
Weekend-home buyers, note this: a lake or mountain getaway is usually taxed as a second home, while a home you live in full time can qualify for the lower ratio. Read our guide to second homes vs. investment properties and ask Daniel Sanders & Co. how it applies to you.
A little planning turns a good idea into an easy day.
Pick your interest
Decide whether you want history, hiking, water, food or a mix, then use the cards above to choose a stop.
Match the trip to your time
Use the drive times above to decide between a short hop, a long day or an overnight.
Confirm hours, fees and conditions
Check the park, museum or venue directly before you go, since hours, fees and trail conditions change.
Pair it with a second stop
Combine a trip with a meal or coffee. Our guides to coffee shops and restaurants are a good start.
Watch the calendar
Home football weekends change traffic and crowds across the area. See the six Saturdays Clemson gets back this fall before you set a date.
Run through this list the night before.
Explore More With Daniel Sanders & Co.
Meet the team: Daniel Sanders and the Daniel Sanders & Co. team.
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