Oconee State Park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s during the Great Depression and continues to serve as a destination and as a gateway to the nearby Chattooga and Chauga rivers and the Blue Ridge and Smoky mountains. Bordering Sumter National Forest, it is a haven for wildlife and a mix of mountain and foothill plant life. Within its 1,165 acres are cabins, campsites, fishing and boating in two small lakes, and hiking on several trails that offer an upcountry feeling without the rigors of mountain hiking. It is also the trail head for the 85-mile Foothills Trail along the Blue Ridge to Jones Gap State Park for those seeking a wilderness hiking experience.