This rest area is located on I-85 north in South Carolina. It’s the first rest area on I-85 north after the South Carolina Welcome Center just north of the South Carolina-Georgia border. There is no exit number for this rest area. It’s located between exits 14(SC187 — Pendleton, Clemson) and 19(US76 /SC 28 — Clemson, Anderson). This is a small rest stop and would be considered a pretty ordinary one too if it wasn’t situated on beautiful Lake Hartwell near Anderson. It sets itself apart from others along the I-85 corridor in SC because it has some pretty nice scenery. You’ll often see travelers taking pictures here. Next to the parking lot is a small forest with tall trees, paved walkways, and picnic tables. The forest leads to a red lakeshore that faces south towards the lake and, in the distance, mostly undeveloped lakefront land. It’s clean and nicely maintained. In the spring and summer, the ground is covered in green grass. In the fall and winter, pine straw. Wintertime photo: The property is owned and operated by the South Carolina Department of Transportation. The facilities are old. The restroom building is SCDOT Building No. 2040301. Very basic, but sufficient. Restroom cleanliness is OK at best. There are separate smaller structures housing refreshments and vending machines. Along with accommodating small vehicles, this stop also has a parking lot for semis.
Neal E.
Place rating: 2 Haymarket, VA
This is the last Rest Area on Interstate 85(I-85) Northbound in South Carolina before the Interstate enters North Carolina — run by the South Carolina Department of Transportation. The restrooms here are a veritable sauna — pretty large restrooms — but no AC. Which makes the restrooms stink to high heaven. Hold your breath when you go in here!
