Long Shoals Wayside Park — Attraction in Pickens

This a wonderful area,*(see bottom note ) especially when lake Jo Cassie has reached its capacity for the day. Here's what you need to know .

#1 If you're going to go ...go EARLY. When it gets hot outside this place gets packed quickly.

#2 Pack a lunch , plenty of water, and lots of sunscreen .

#3 There is a "sliding rock " of sorts ...now it's not big like the Sliding Rock in NC . You'll want to bring a inter-tube to go down the rocks. When the rocks are wet they are extremely slippery so use caution.

#4 For some reason people love to bring their dogs . I am not anti dog , I have dogs , but be warned people bring their dogs, and not all of them are well behaved. I've seen ,over the years several dogs knock children down . I wish they would have leash rules but I regress. If you don't like free roaming dogs be warned .

#5 Parking is free , the top level gets filled up quickly. I suggest you go to the bottom level. Be warned there are no rest rooms . Make sure you change into your swimsuits before you get there.

*side note - when the summer progresses , especially later in the evenings during June and July...this place attracts some very precarious individuals. While alcohol is prohibited, people drink anyway. So last warning I offer is this - People smoke , people drink , and I on one occasion saw a woman who was clearly on drugs. It was like something out of a movie . It's a wonder she didn't slip on the rocks and bust her head open . Anyway if you get there early and you can tolerate lots of kids , dogs and at times obnoxious people, then it's worth it. And remember it's free , don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed. Oh and be nice to the lady in the black sun hat and white...

Fun and great place for all ages as long as you don't encounter a fanatic who thinks moving a few rocks and tree limbs from blocking the river as an act of God and the destruction of nature! I could see if the natural aspects of the park and river were affected; however, when you move obstructions that are lodged in the river by storms, you're not affecting the natural aspects of the river. So to the woman who asked if I was God by moving a few rocks and branches, that she claimed had been there for the 10 yrs she had been coming there, I need to inform her that along with dozens of others, it hasn't been there but a few weeks due to all the storms and the river being so high it washed debris down to that NATURAL debris collector! And as far as the pool that was disturbed with the tad poles in it, if not for the storms making the river swell, those pools wouldn't be there just like the debris dam! Oh, and by the way, when you told me to go back to my trailer and learn about ecosystems, well my 2 story double wide, which is a 2 story home so I guess it's a double wide on its side, is on a river full of ecosystems! The same as any ecosystems that are destroyed to build those homes, just like the one you live in on your cult nature compound! So unless you recovered and relocated all those ecosystems and creatures before you built, or rather rented what had already been built, then keep your holier than thou ideals and need for attention in your therapist's office! Thank you for your time and your childish middle finger and vulgarity in front of dozens of children, including my own! You're just another wanna be who likes to preach rather than practice...

Our whole family loves this place. There’s so much room to stretch out, including plenty of shady areas to set your cooler and drinks. It’s just a little hard to find but if you watch for the 1 mile heads up sign, you’ll have an easier time finding it! There are also two entrances, so if you miss the first, no worries.

One entrance is where the port-a-potties are, as well as very well-constructed stairs down to the water! You’ll come out on a huge rock where you can set up in the sun, or if you walk down the rock with the flow of the creek, you’ll find a huge sandy area to set up in the shade or sun!

A couple tips:

1. a beach umbrella makes a perfect addition to the hangout area! 2.) the jumping rock is VERY safe and kids as young as 4 and adults of every size and height have safely jumped off into the water below! Simply take one STEP (no running jumps) into the water below and you’ll land in over 8 feet of water.
2. if you’re on the beach area and you look directly across the water, that’s where the jumping rock is. Look directly to your left and there’s a cute little rock that little kids have so much fun jumping off of!
3. the water feels FREEZING at first but you’ll quickly get used to it!
4. of the dam from Jocasee is open enough, everyone slides down the rock face upstream from the beach area! Just watch what everyone else is doing and give it a shot - it’s very safe and so fun!
5. ALL THE ROCKS ARE SO SLIPPERY WHEN WET. Just walk slowly and...