Here’s everything to know about visiting Lake Jocassee.

The South might not be world-renowned for its water clarity—especially compared to destinations in the Caribbean—but don’t let its lack of a reputation fool you. If you know where to look, you’ll find glass-like water in rivers, along the coast, and in lakes, both natural and human-made. South Carolina’s Lake Jocassee certainly falls into the latter category.

Located in the northwest corner of the state, the 7,500-acre reservoir was built in 1973. Since then, it’s maintained an untouched, wild quality that stems from the fact that it's surrounded by 43,000 acres of forest. Not to mention, the lake’s only public access is through neighboring Devils Fork State Park.

Devils Fork State Park sits within the Jocassee Gorges, an area filled with steep rock walls, valleys, and breathtaking waterfalls. Those waterfalls, as well as four mountain streams, feed into Lake Jocassee, resulting in cooler and clearer water than you might expect. The water is so clear, in fact, that Lake Jocassee is a go-to destination for divers because what lies beneath the surface of these sparkling waters is even more fascinating.

Before Duke Energy flooded the region to create the reservoir, the area was known as Jocassee Valley. To make the lake, the mountain rivers were redirected, covering up dozens of houses, camps, and towns. There’s even an old hotel, Attakulla Lodge, standing at the bottom, reportedly still mostly intact. And if you’ve seen the 1972 movie “Deliverance,” you may be familiar with Mount Carmel Cemetery, also found beneath the surface. Typically, visibility is over 15 feet—and even over 50 feet in some parts. The park recommends a few diving locations, including Big Wall/Small Wall, Jenny’s Drift, and Junk, a sunken boat sitting at 60 feet underwater. You can pick up your gear at Lake Jocassee Dive Shop.

What to Do on Lake Jocassee

Even if you don’t have your scuba diving certification, you can still enjoy all that Lake Jocassee has to offer. If it’s your first time visiting, taking a boat tour will properly introduce you to the area. Jocassee Lake Tours offers a variety of excursions, including sunset tours and the “All the Falls” Tour. The latter is a monthly six-hour outing that introduces passengers to waterfalls that can only be discovered via boat.

Fishing is another popular pastime on Lake Jocassee. The trout fishing is particularly good—thanks to those cooler waters—but anglers also have the chance to catch smallmouth and largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. Of course, you’ll have to get your South Carolina fishing license ahead of time.

During a South Carolina summer, swimming is a welcome reprieve from the heat. Just swim with caution; there are no lifeguards, nor is there a roped-off area for swimmers. Alternatively, you can canoe, kayak, or paddleboard around the lake. Jocassee Lake Tours has kayaks to rent, and Electric Sun has canoes, paddleboards, and pontoon boats, as well as kayaks. Jocassee Outdoor Center is another option for pontoons and tritoons.

When to Go

If you’re most interested in swimming in Lake Jocassee, you’ll want to plan a trip over the summer—but July and August aren’t necessarily the best months to visit. The spring months (March and April) are particularly exciting because visitors get the chance to spot the endangered Oconee Bell wildflower. Stroll along the one-mile Oconee Bell Nature Trail to get a glimpse of the wildflower that lives only in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

No matter when you go, though, you won’t come across the Carolina parakeet. Extinct since 1904, the bird (the only parrot species native to North America) was allegedly last spotted right here in the Jocassee Gorges.

Where to Stay

There might not be any luxury hotels on Lake Jocassee, but Devils Fork has 15 two-bedroom villas and five three-bedroom villas for travelers to rent. Alternatively, there are two campgrounds in the area, and campsite reservations can be made online. Another option would be to make your base camp in Highlands, North Carolina, home to Old Edwards Inn & Spa and Outpost Inn, and plan a day trip to Lake Jocassee. It’ll take you a little over an hour and a half to navigate between the two destinations.