South Carolina State Parks, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation, Diabetes Free SC, and Kids in Parks celebrated the grand opening of a new TRACK Trail at Oconee Station State Historic Site (500 Oconee Station Road, Walhalla, SC 29691) on April 13, 2024.
TRACK Trails are self-guided trails designed for kids and families. There are more than 275 TRACK Trails available throughout the country. Each of the trails has colorful, kid-friendly brochures that help turn an ordinary hike into a fun-filled, discovery-packed adventure.
In the late 1700s, Oconee Station was the edge of the western frontier, serving as a bustling trading hub for European settlers and Native communities. One of the Oconee Station TRACK Trail brochures will dig into that history, while three others explore topics on plants and wildlife found in parks. The TRACK Trail is a free activity, and admission to Oconee Station is free.
Kids who participate in the program can register their TRACK Trail adventures at KidsinParks.com to earn a series of prizes designed to make their next outdoor adventure even more fun and meaningful. Since the program’s inception, kids have completed more than a million TRACK Trail adventures.
The Oconee Station TRACK Trail was funded thanks to the generous support of the BlueCross Blue Shield of South Carolina Foundation and Diabetes Free SC.
“Oconee Station offers free adventures in history and nature, and our new TRACK Trail will help share those rich stories with young explorers,” said Oconee Station State Historic Site Manager, Bryn Harmer. “Connecting with kids helps foster a lifelong love and appreciation for our treasured outdoor spaces, and we’re very grateful for the collaboration and support that made this project possible.”
The trail at Oconee Station is the fifth TRACK Trail in South Carolina State Parks. The first four were installed in 2021 at Sesquicentennial State Park, Battle of Musgrove Mill Historic Site, Landsford Canal State Park, and Table Rock State Park thanks to a grant from the BlueCross BlueShield Foundation of South Carolina.
Oconee Station State Historic Site‘s two historic structures, the William Richards House (circa 1805) and the Blockhouse (circa 1792) were built when Oconee was on the remote edge of the western frontier. It was originally an outpost for the militia before serving as a peaceful trading post. Beyond the park’s historical significance, it also offers a fishing pond with bluegill and largemouth bass, a 1.5-mile nature trail through wildflowers and upcountry wilderness, and a beautiful waterfall, Station Cove Falls.