Trade the salty sea air for the fresh water in the mountains, and spend a trip camping at Lake Jocassee. Visitors to South Carolina tend to focus on the Palmetto State’s coast, hitting hot spots such as Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head Island. What many people may not realize is that dotted around the state’s 32,000 square miles of the interior are several outstanding lakes, each surrounded by a number of dedicated campgrounds. If sparkling blue-green water and picture-perfect waterfalls sound enticing, pack your tent and sleeping bag and head to Lake Jocassee for camping in South Carolina.
Lake Jocassee is a 75,000-acre, 300-foot-deep reservoir located in South Carolina’s extreme northwest corner and formed by the aptly-named 385-foot-high, 1,750-foot-long Jocassee Dam. The sparkly blue water makes this a perfect place to get away and enjoy the fresh water. Lounge along the shore to soak up the rays, splash in the water, or take out a boat and fully be surrounded by this beautiful lake.
The lake, accessible through Devils Fork State Park in rural Oconee County, contains a variety of fish species including brown trout, white bass, and bluegill. This artificial body of water was created in 1973 through a partnership between the state and the company now known as Duke Energy. The state park, 622 acres in size, was established almost two decades later in 1990.
When it comes to campgrounds on Lake Jocassee, there are two main campgrounds that are available for use on the lake’s south shore and they contain 59 paved campsites.
Each of these Lake Jocassee campsites offers campers electrical and water hookups, a picnic table, and a fire pit. There are restrooms with showers and centrally-located trash and recycling containers located within the campgrounds. Campsites are reasonably priced for a night and most of them must be reserved for at least two nights. Reservations can be made on the Devil's Fork State Park website.
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Several of the park's campsites can accommodate RVs. These vehicles must be no longer than 40 feet.
Being outside and doing some Lake Jocassee camping is a great way to reconnect with nature and be surrounded by this glorious mountain lake setting. Even if you aren't a huge fan of camping or simply don't have the equipment, there is still another option to take a trip out to the lake for a weekend getaway.
The park has 20 lakeside villas in both two-bedroom/one-bathroom and three-bedroom/two-bathroom configurations. These villas provide you with everything from linens to kitchen appliances, cooking and eating utensils, and heat and AC. The best part is a few of these cozy lodges are even pet-friendly so you don’t have to leave your dog at home. The park usually requires you to reserve the villas for two nights minimum but during popular times they must be reserved for at least seven nights. Reservations can be made on Devils Fork State Park’s website.
If you want to get out on the water, rent a kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or pontoon boat from Eclectic Sun, the on-site outfitter. The company’s offices are located just a 10-minute walk from the park’s campground.
Kayaks and other watercraft can be reserved on Eclectic Sun’s website. There is nothing more peaceful than to paddle out to the middle of a large lake and just listen to the birds singing, the water gently lapping the side of your kayak, and the mountain scenery in the background as the lake glistens in the sun.
Several waterfalls - including Laurel Fork, Mill Creek, and Moondance Falls - flow into Lake Jocassee. The most popular of these is Laurel Fork Falls.
To get to the 80-foot-tall Laurel Fork Falls, you have two options: take a watercraft or hike there. The hiking option is the much more difficult of the two choices. This entails trekking along the 8.4-mile Foothills Trail, an activity that takes between five to six hours each way. You are much better off kayaking or canoeing from the lake’s south shore up to the falls, located on the northeast shore. If you choose to take any of these trails then you should download the AllTrails app on your phone. This app will allow you to track your progress along the trail and help you to not get lost. We use it all the time and would highly recommend it.
Lake Jocassee may not have as much name recognition as its counterparts farther south – namely Lakes Marion and Murray – but it is definitely worth a visit. With its glittering, blue-green water and amazing waterfalls, this lake beckons visitors to relax and take in the natural beauty of northern South Carolina. With several accommodation options, guests will be able to customize their visit to their liking. Have you visited this lake for camping at Lake Jocassee in South Carolina? Let us know about your experience in the comments.
