Throw yourself into the great outdoors
It's the outdoorsy goings on around this bite-sized town that entice vacationers to this part of South Carolina, and your Salem vacation rental will put you in a prime position to enjoy them all. Nearby Nantahala National Forest and Gorges State Park, just over state lines in North Carolina, will help you get your hiking fix, while on the other side of town are holiday-friendly Lake Keowee and Lake Joocasee. Don't let the fact that they're man-made reservoirs put you off—they have pristine waters, dramatic mountain backdrops, and adrenalin-raising activities aplenty.
Combine countryside thrills with big town chills
Hitting the trails and frolicking in the waters near your Salem vacation rental will keep you plenty busy, but should you find yourself craving some big town excitement, then the nearby town of Greenville is at your service. Tucked into the Appalachian foothills, with the Reddy River twisting through the city center, it's home to just 70,000 people, but punches way above its weight when it comes to boutiques, bars, and fancy dining. Culture fans should hightail it to the County Museum of Art, which has works by Southern artists spanning hundreds of years.
Adrenalin rush on land and in the water
Brush off your hiking boots and polish your kayaks! When you bed down in a Salem vacation rental, you won't be able to resist the call of the wild. Nantahala National Forest has 600 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as areas for off-road vehicle fun and horseback riding. Neighboring Gorges State Park is home to waterfalls, trout streams, and rainforest. At both Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee, you can sail, kayak, and water ski, and with waters so clear, you can even try your hand at scuba diving.
Fun in the South Carolina Sun
Like the rest of South Carolina, Salem has a humid subtropical climate, which means that summers are hot and muggy with regular rainstorms, while winters are short, mild, and pretty dry. Summer highs hover around 90 degrees in July and August, while average winter temperatures tend to peak in the upper 50s between December and February. As a major summer vacation destination, you'll be more likely to score yourself a bargain on your Salem vacation rental between the fall and the spring, as soon as school is back in session.
Discover the green heart of South Carolina
Salem itself is a tiny town of around 150 people, with a quiet main drag and a few long residential streets. It's surrounded by lush countryside, hills and greenery, thanks to its position in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains. To the north are the thick forests, hills, and streams of both Nahantla State Forest and Gorges National Park, while below are clear lakes of Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee. Head further south and its gets hotter, drier, and flatter as you head towards the beaches of the Atlantic.
How to get to and around Salem
Fly into Greenville-Spartanburg Intl. Airport (GSP), the closest airport, located 43.1 mi (69.3 km) from the city center.
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