Best Lakes to visit near Greenville South Carolina

Calling all outdoor enthusiasts…

…who are looking for a good time near or in the water! Whether you are visiting the Greenville, South Carolina area for the first time, or you’ve been living here for a while and looking for a fun outdoor activity, look no further than the beautiful lakes of the Upstate. One reason that makes Upstate South Carolina so attractive to so many is how accessible it is to so many amazing attractions in such a short radius. We’ve got lakes, rivers, mountains, trails, fishing, water-sports, and more all within an hour to two hours from Downtown. We even have access to the coastline only four hours southeast from Greenville! It’s truly a great spot to settle down because of all the entertainment available within close reach. We are going to explore some of the best lakes in the area that have easy, public access. You will be amazed at the natural beauty of these lakes and parks. In the spring and summer time, water skiing, jet skiing, and other water sports are quite popular in our area. If you are only visiting for a short time, consider many of the boat rentals offered in the area to get the most out of your time at one of these beautiful popular lakes. All of these lakes and areas surrounding them offer recreational activities for the entire family to enjoy. No need to worry, at all of these lakes you can find a public boat ramp to put your boat in to enjoy the open water!

Lake Jocassee

On the top of the list (in my opinion) is Lake Jocassee. There are three major lakes in our area that feed into one another. Lake Jocassee is at the very top at the three lakes. Well there is a fourth but it’s much smaller: Lake Toxaway. One of the best ways to publicly access Lake Jocassee is through Devil Fork State Park. It is almost exactly an hour from Downtown Greenville. One of the reasons I placed it at the top of the list is it’s 360 degree scenic views of mountains while in the lake. There is truly nothing like it. With the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains all around you, you will feel like you are getting the best of both worlds: the mountains and the water. It’s got crystal-clear waters compared to the other two lakes it feeds into. With endless opportunities to kayak, stand up paddleboard (SUP), or boat to many different waterfalls around the perimeter of the lake. At the park, you do have to pay to enter so be prepared for that. But you get access to many options of picnic areas, the sandy beach swimming area, and many boat ramps around the park. There are a good bit of RV and tent camping spots to turn your day trip into an overnight experience! There is even a beautiful trail called the Oconee Bell Nature Trail. Read more about it here how the trail is named after this wildflower. Please remember to swim and adventure at your own risk! Pro tip: It’s a great place to take pictures, especially in the fall as all the leaves are changing from green to vibrant fall colors. This author has friends who decided to go kayaking at Jocassee a few summers ago and they forgot sunscreen. With how much fun they were having and the reflection of the sun from the shiny waters, their sunburn was gnarly!! So don’t forget to cover up or put on safe sunscreen to enjoy your all day adventure because trust me – you will want to be at Jocassee the entire day. It’s a wonder of the Southeast!

Lake Keowee

Next is Lake Keowee, Lake Jocassee feeds into Lake Keowee by way of the Keowee River. Lake Keowee is known for it’s beauty. If you are looking to invest in a lakefront property, this lake would be a wonderful one to consider. Like Jocassee, the mountain views at Keowee are still very visible. Keowee is easy to access with many swimming areas and boat ramps. Now if you are into mountain biking, pack up your mountain bikes and check out the many miles of trails near Lake Keowee to explore and ride! One of the best feelings is going for a ride then jumping in the lake afterwards to cool off! Keowee has many of fun parks to take the kids if they are not interested in swimming! One great park in particular is South Cove County Park. Keowee-Toxaway Park is a little less than an hour from Downtown Greenville. It’s a popular spot in the summer, so please exercise caution when boating and participating in water activities. This author has fond memories of getting pulled behind a boat on a tub with friends or jet skiing to explore the mini islands in the middle of the lake. The adventures are endless! At any of these three lakes, people enjoy boating to the middle islands to camp for the night. Talk about an unforgettable childhood memory for your children!

Lake Hartwell

Now let’s talk about Lake Hartwell. A great lake that can be easily accessed from many places. This is a great place to catch a largemouth bass. Please be sure you have a valid South Carolina fishing license before participating in this activity. Out of the other lakes mentioned, Hartwell has more warm waters making it a great place to swim and enjoy! Be sure to check out Lake Hartwell State Park which is only 47 miles from Downtown Greenville. With miles of shoreline in South Carolina and Georgia, this is an incredible lake to spend time in the summer. Not interested in swimming but still want to enjoy the scenery of the lake? Are you also a football fan? Enjoy some college football at Clemson University which is right next to Lake Hartwell. Maybe you love a round of golf with friends! With many beautiful golf courses that showcase this beautiful lake, you will be sure to have a great time on Hartwell. Near Downtown Clemson in the heart of Pickens County (behind the Wendy’s on Highway 123) is a nice fishing pier! If you visit the area on the Fourth of July, many people get on their boats to watch the fireworks! It’s a great spot to view the fireworks.

Table Rock State Park

If these lake seem too big to you, this author does have some small lakes to recommend to you. Table Rock State Park has a great little late to enjoy along with multitude of hiking trails and trailside campsites. It’s a perfect place to go to beat the heat on a hot summer day. The summit of Table Rock is an intense hike and is not for the faint of heart. But the view from the halfway point and the top are worth the challenge! Table Rock State Park is a good 45 minute drive from Downtown Greenville. 

Paris Mountain State Park

In Greenville county is the beloved Paris Mountain State Park that has two lakes that are filled with catfish, bream, and bass per their website! With plenty of paved campsites and trailside sites too there is so much opportunity to make lifelong memories with your family. One of the BEST times to visit is in the fall! The park is filled with trees that leaves turn gorgeous shades of red, yellow, and orange!