Oconee State Park is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Currently at the park is a replication of the waterwheel originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The original wheel supplied water for the CCC camp in 1935. The original rockwork is still on the Old Waterwheel Trail. Other structures like the 19 cabins, the bathhouses and offices were also built by the CCC.
These were young men during the Depression who were given the opportunity to come work in Franklin Roosevelt's Tree Army. They were paid $25 a month. They got to keep $5 a month to spend, and the rest was sent back home to their family.
Most of the rock for the rockwork came from the Stumphouse Tunnel. Most of the wood came from the American chestnut tree, which had begun to die out during the turn of the century.
The Walhalla State Fish Hatchery is located close to the Oconee State Park. Fly-fishing is a popular activity.
