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The Chattooga River is one of the popular spots for water sports in the South Carolina Upcountry.
5 ADVENTURES JUST A SHORT DRIVE FROM ATLANTA By Tony Jenkins and Susan Flowers ow that you’ve completed the adventure of moving to your new city, you’re probably ready for an all-new adventure that’s less stressful, but just as rewarding. Fortunately, there are numerous adventure-filled vacations within an easy drive of Atlanta. From whitewater rafting in the Smokies to hiking in the Okefenokee Swamp, exciting opportunities abound.
UPCOUNTRY SOUTH CAROLINA
If you just can’t wait to get outside, head to the Upcountry region of South Carolina, home to some of the state’s most gorgeous scenery and most exciting outdoor fun, just slightly over a 40 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
two-hour drive from Atlanta. The six-county area spans 3,954 square miles and includes 80,000 acres of national forest, 50 hiking trails and 13 state parks, with the closest ones from Atlanta being Lake Hartwell State Park and Sadlers Creek State Park. Activities range from hiking and mountain biking to hunting and fishing to swimming, boating, canoeing and kayaking. You can even scuba dive at Lake Jocassee, says Tim Todd, executive director of Upcountry SC, the tourism organization promoting the area. The Upcountry also includes the Chattooga River, a whitewater rafting haven with Class III to V rapids that was the site for the film “Deliverance,” and the Cherokee Foothills National
Scenic Byway (Hwy. 11), where you will find the state’s tallest mountain, Sassafras Mountain (about 3,500 feet). The area also boasts American Revolution and Native American historic sites to visit. There are numerous spots for a picnic, and both trailside and paved campsites for those who want to stay a while, plus cabins and other homes to rent. Meanwhile, downtown Greenville is a stone’s throw away for those who prefer urban comforts.
SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE Known as the birthplace of Dolly Parton, Sevierville is a picturesque getaway less than four hours from Atlanta. Sevierville offers many activities that will please both adrenaline junk-