Clemson is a college town in Pickens and Anderson counties, South Carolina. It is the home of Clemson University, the leading public research institution in Upstate South Carolina. The area changed its name from Calhoun to Clemson to show its coalition with the university.
European-Americans was Clemson's first settlers after the Cherokee were forced to cede their land in 1819. The Clemson Depot, built in 1893, was refurbished in 2001 and now houses Clemson's local chamber of commerce and visitor center. The depot was temporarily shut in 2016 to give way for a road project but was reopened again in 2019.
Clemson's location on the shoreline of Lake Hartwell makes it a good fishing destination for anglers. Some fish species in the lake are smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, spotted bass, crappie, bluegill, blue catfish, flathead catfish, and channel catfish. Lake Hartwell State Park is well-known boating, swimming, and fishing destination. Clemson is also within reach of Lake Keowee, an area famous for anglers seeking other outdoor activities like boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, and kayaking. Anglers can access the lake via Keowee Toxaway State Park and fish for smallmouth bass, catfish, bluegill, and common carp.
Clemson is also near the Savannah River, the river separating the states of Georgia and South Carolina. The Savannah River is divided into three units. Yellow perch, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, bluegill, and catfish are the fish species found in the river's upper portion. The middle part of the Savannah River is home to bass, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, catfish, American eel, shortnose sturgeon, chain pickerel, bowfin, longnose gar, snapping turtles, American alligator, and a water moccasin. The lower estuary is a spot to fish for bass, crappie, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, catfish, American eel, shortnose sturgeon, Atlantic sturgeon, chain pickerel, bowfin, longnose gar, snapping turtles, American alligator, snakes, red drum, flounder, spotted seatrout, bull shark, tarpon, common bottlenose dolphin, West Indian manatee, and diamondback terrapin. The Savannah River is an excellent spot for fly fishing for red drum or experience crappie fishing trips. Anglers can also find striped bass fishing charters in the area. Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers are the rivers forming the Savannah River. They are known for fish species like bass, catfish, chain pickerel, black crappie, and pumpkinseed.
Lake Jocassee in the Devils Fork State Park is a haven for bass, trout, sunfish, and catfish anglers. Clemson and the surrounding area have excellent fishing charters that offer unique fishing tours. Some fishing chatters in the area are Carter's Charters, Pole Bending Charter Service, Matt Dorsey Fly Fishing, and Andrew Tubbs Guide Service.
Clemson offers visitors a memorable chance to explore its amazing outdoor sceneries and reconnect with Appalachian ancestry.
Nature lovers will enjoy the beautiful parks Clemson has to offer. The South Carolina Botanical Gardens, Table Rock State Park, and Devils Fork State Park are the most popular destinations in Clemson. Each park has its unique features. The Botanical Gardens is an area with miles of stunning flowers to view at any time of the year. It is perfect for a Sunday afternoon adventure. The Table Rock State Park has several pathways for adventurers to test out and provides breathtaking scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Lastly, Devils Fork State Park provides a great panoramic view of Lake Jocassee and is only accessible by boat.
The Bob Campbell Geology Museum inside Clemson University exhibits more than 10,000 specimens from gems, minerals, and unusual fossils worldwide. A gift shop with unique offerings makes it an excellent spot for children and adults to visit.