A Guide to Lake Jocassee in South Carolina
With temperatures hitting the 90s in the Asheville area during the summer, chances are you’re looking for some ways to beat the heat. While walking along the French Broad is nice, and splashing in the creek at the Arboretum is great for the little ones, some days nothing beats lounging in the clean and vast space of a cool lake on a hot day.
Lake Jocassee is about two hours away from Asheville but it feels like a lifetime away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Lake Jocassee encompasses over 7,000 acres of land, with 4 mountain streams and several waterfalls feeding into the lake, creating a cool and clear lake unlike any other in South Carolina.
Read my complete guide to Lake Jocassee and start planning your trip!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).
A Complete Guide to Lake Jocassee in North Carolina
Devils Fork State Park & Campground
While there are 7,565 acres of Lake Jocassee, the only public access point is at Devils Fork State Park State Park. The state park has 59 paved campsites with water and electric hookups for tent or RV camping, 20 tent camping sites, and 20 lakeside villas (which are fully furnished.). The campgrounds have restrooms with hot showers and each site has a picnic table and fire ring.
But if you’re not interested in camping, day passes are available at the ranger station for a small fee. The park has public parking and beach access for non-campers. Although the parking lot is big, it does fill up quickly so be sure to check the website for a “lot full” warning or get there early! A big advantage to camping here is that you don’t have to worry about a full parking lot and you can walk from your site to the beautiful lake.
While most RV spots don’t look directly out on the lake (a perk of tent camping depending on your spot) an easy walk or bike ride through the paved campground will get you there in no time. If you have a boat, kayak, or paddleboard, the park has 3 boat launches that are open to the public.
I have canoed every year here, with my two children in tow. While it has been great for us to get out in the water and do a bit of exploring, each year has left me wishing we had rented a boat for the places you can’t reach without a motor. So I’d definitely recommend renting a boat or some kind of floating device, but regardless the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains is incredible!
Check Out The Waterfalls
An exceptional feature of Lake Jocassee are the unmistakable waterfalls that flow into the lake. I grew up on the Great Lakes, and can safely say I have never seen anything similar. There are more than half a dozen waterfalls located on the 75 miles of shoreline, but three stand out as the most popular – Wright Creek Falls, Laurel Fork Falls, and Devil’s Hole Creek Falls.
Nearly all are only attainable by motorized boat or jetski, except one strenuous hike via the FootHills Hiking Bridge. The waterfalls can be tricky to find but are always seem to have a decent-sized crowd. Thankfully the rangers at Devil’s Fork are helpful to answer any questions and have a map with details on how to reach each waterfall.
Laurel Fork Falls is located in the most northeastern area section of the lake, and can be a little tricky to spot at first. The narrow cove that hides the falls is a tight squeeze but offers a nice display of the 40-foot tall cascading falls.
Wright Creek Falls is the crowd favorite and the most impressive waterfall in the lake. This may be the only one on this list that you could possibly kayak to. But at approximately 4 hours round trip, you’ll be exhausted by the end of the day. Wright Creek Falls has 3 tiers that flow into the river and you can often see people hanging out behind the falls. It is truly picturesque.
Devil’s Hole Creek Falls is located on the Eastern side of the lake. It is the smallest out of the three, and most appreciated after a lot of rain. Standing only about 20 feet tall, these falls are often less crowded. While you can’t swim under the falls like the others, they are still beautiful and well worth a visit.
Rent a Boat
No boat of your own? No problem! There are many outfitters in the area so you can easily rent a boat for a few hours or days for fun on the lake. Guided tours are also available, and on my last trip, a few campers told me the tour was well worth the money as they didn’t have to worry about finding (or missing) the waterfalls.
Eclectic Sun Paddlesports, Jocassee Outdoor Center, and Jocassee Keowee Rentals are all full rental services with guided and pet-friendly options. Check out their options for renting fishing gear as well!
Swimming and Fishing in the Lake
In Cherokee, the name Jocassee means “Place of the Lost One.” With depths of over 300 feet and an interesting history, Lake Jocassee is a hub for scuba enthusiasts. Once part of the Cherokee Nation, most important items were removed before the lake was flooded. But divers keep unearthing forgotten relics of the past.
Fishing is also popular at the lake as Lake Jocassee holds the state record for 5 different species of fish. Even in popular swimming holes with kids splashing and lots of noise, I have spotted my fair share of trout and smallmouth bass.
The state of South Carolina has kept the area surrounding the Lake underdeveloped so you won’t find any lake-side restaurants here! It truly feels like an untouched paradise. I highly recommend you take a weekend or two to travel down to our neighbor to the south and check out the beauty of Lake Jocassee!
I hope this helps you plan your trip!
SHARE THIS ON PINTEREST
Ashley Reid
Ashley Reid is a freelance writer who feels blessed to have called Asheville home for the last five years. Born in the suburbs of Detroit, she spent her 20s living coastal in South Carolina before the Blue Ridge Mountains called her home. Ashley is a homeschooling mother to her two daughters, married to her high school sweetheart, and always looking to the horizon for her next adventure. Ashley moved to Western North Carolina after years of visiting on vacations and realized this place was way too beautiful to leave behind. The Pisgah National Forest, abundance of waterfalls, Blue Ridge Parkway, and plethora of tasty eats in the area won her over to the Tarheel State. She is happiest when she is riverside and is vehement about keeping herself and her children outdoors as much as possible. Ashley is a woman never short of a hobby or new interest. She writes for various publications and companies. She is a voracious reader, aspiring author, sewist, gardener, and amateur homesteader. She loves working with her hands and being with her kids. She has never considered being called weird an insult and has no problem telling strangers about her love of opossums or a new podcast episode. Ashley is always on the hunt for the best burger and coffee in town. She is passionate about wellness, kindness, and keeping childhood wild.