Lake Jocassee State Park is breathtaking. This picturesque lake, however, is so much more than just a pretty lake. Lake Jocassee State Park boasts a laundry list of fun activities for all ages. But before we get into all the fun let’s talk a little about the lake’s history.
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Lake Jocassee’s Underwater Town
A town sits deep below the surface of Lake Jocassee! In 1973, Duke Power built a dam to form the lake where a town once stood. Today scuba divers can still explore remnants of the town, including an old lodge and even a cemetery.
The Beauty of Lake Jocassee State Park
Lake Jocassee is about 7,500 acres wide and 300 feet deep at its deepest points. The water is clean and crystal clear, which is unusual for a lake in South Carolina. The clear water makes this lake ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling. The mountains are the perfect backdrop for these sparkling waters. Lake Jocassee is also home to 27 waterfalls!!!
The actual name of the state park is not Lake Jocassee State park, however. It’s actually called Devils Fork State Park. Devils Fork State Park provides boat access, beach and swimming areas, picnic areas, playgrounds, and more. Thanks to the crystal clear water, the nearby mountains, and Devils Fork State Park, Lake Jocassee offers plenty of recreation and activities for the whole family. Below is my list of the things to do at Lake Jocassee:
Boating, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, and Canoeing at Lake Jocassee State Park
Two of the most memorable moments of our Lake Jocassee trip were paddleboarding and boating around the lake. You can either bring your own boat (kayak, paddleboard, or motor) or rent one. For our first day, we went paddleboarding. At the time, we only owned two paddleboards, so we rented two more inflatable paddleboards from Electric Sun.
Electric Sun is located right beside the boat access. You can just pick up your rentals and walk right down to the lake. While we were paddling we were able to see two of the 27 waterfalls, explore a small island, and eat lunch at a secluded beach. With paddleboards, we were able to swim and snorkel in hidden nooks that many boats couldn’t reach.
We could have probably seen more waterfalls if it had just been my husband and me. The other waterfalls were too far of a paddle for our two kids, so the next day we rented a pontoon boat to see the others. We rented the boat from Jocassee Outdoor Center. This store was a hidden gem all of its own. I definitely recommend visiting. The shop had an old general store feel, complete with crates full of unique candy. Some of the treats were even candy-covered bugs! It was definitely something to see and a perfect place to pick up a few souvenirs.
With a boat, we were able to see almost all of the waterfalls. The boat even had a map of all the waterfall locations. We also rented a tube from Jocassee Outdoor Center and went tubing while we had our boat rental.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
We brought snorkels on our paddleboarding trip. Since the water is clear, we were able to see a variety of fish while we snorkeled. The kids and adults had a blast taking pictures of our snorkeling adventure with our go-pro. You can see some of the pictures in the video below. If you didn’t bring snorkels, you can also purchase them at a small gift shop at Devils Fork State Park.
Touring the Waterfalls
As I mentioned earlier, Lake Jocassee has a whopping 27 waterfalls. Don’t worry, the lake access is at the bottom so you don’t have to worry about paddling over one. Our rental boat included a map of all the waterfalls. We were able to find almost all of them using the map. Finding the waterfalls became a game for the family.
Swimming and Playing at the Devils Fork State Park Beach
Devils Fork State Park has a fantastic swimming area. One afternoon, we spent hours snorkeling and swimming at Devils Fork’s popular beach area. We also hung our hammocks along the beach and relaxed after a long day of exploring.
Hiking Moutain Trails
Several mountain trials and viewing areas are located near Lake Jocassee. The Jumping Off Rock Overlook has spectacular views and is just a short distance from the road. You do need a 4X4 or SUV to drive to this viewing spot, but the drive is beautiful as well. Jumping Off Rock Overlook is considered an easy walking trail. Other easy trails are the Twin Falls Lower Trail and the Virginia Hawkins Falls trail. Moderate trails include the Raven Rock Loop Trail and the Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve.
Fishing
Lake Jocassee is a popular fishing spot. Trophy trout, rainbow trout, spotted bass, and smallmouth bass is among the many fish in the lake. Although we didn’t fish on our trip, we saw many fishermen fishing by boar and paddleboard.
Camping, including Boat-in Camping
Lake Jocassee has RV and tent campsites available for rent. Lake Jocassee State Park is also one of only two South Carolina State Parks that offer Boat-in Campsites. (Cheraw State Park is the other one). Boat-in campsites are campsites only accessible by boat. These sites are primitive and include a tent pad and fire ring. From the boat launch, the 25 boat-in campsites are about 2 miles away.
More Pictures From Our Lake Jocassee Trip
