Getting away for a day or a weekend during the summer in South Carolina leaves residents with endless options to explore our beautiful state. But… where do you go to avoid the usual crowded places? In the shadow of its larger and more promoted neighboring lake (Lake Jocassee), Lake Keowee is one of the most underrated summer destinations in the Palmetto State.
The lake was formed in the early 70s and is an impressive 26 miles long. At the widest point it’s three miles, however, much of the lake is long and lanky with stunning peninsulas extending from the shoreline in just about every direction you look.
Google Images/Ann Hoxit For the most of its 26 miles, it is filled with alcoves and wonderful parks that allow plentiful access points for daytime and overnight guests.
South Cove County Park, located in the southwestern portion of the lake, is found near Seneca.
Google Images/Patrick Duffy Numerous day use activities include a sandy beach for swimming and sunbathing, picnic areas, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a pier for fishing.
Overnight guests in the campground at South Cove County Park’s more than 80 campsites get the added benefit of waking up lakeside and swimming from their campsite, if a site right on the lake is reserved.
Google Images/Stephen Deese South Cove County Park is located at 1099 S Cove Rd, Seneca, SC 29672. Learn more at this link.
On the opposite side of the lake, and farther north, Pickens County Park- Mile Creek (a.k.a. Mile Creek Park) doles out amazing views and is a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts.
Google Maps/C Stew Launch your boat or jet ski, rent a kayak, and enjoy a day on the water from Mile Creek Park.
Pickens County Park - Mile Creek doesn’t charge any admission fees, but there is a $5 per vehicle (per day) fee for parking.
Google Local/C Stew The fee is collected at a self-serve station within the park. Other ways to enjoy this lakeside recreational area: a sand volleyball court, lighted and covered basketball court, and two playgrounds for the kiddos. Mile Creek Park is located at 757 Keowee Baptist Church Rd, Six Mile, SC 29682. Learn more this link.
At Lake Keowee’s northern end, Keowee Toxaway State Park dishes up overnight stays in a campground that accommodates RVs and tents - and has one three-bedroom cabin for rent, too.
Google Maps/Lynne Cummings More than five miles of trails carved into the park’s 1,000 acres are well-traveled and dole out some astounding views of the lake.
Keowee Toxaway State Park doesn’t have a designated beach or lifeguards, but cooling off in the lake is permitted by the park.
Google Maps/Stephanie Kao The park also has an access point for launching a canoe or kayak. Admission is free for this South Carolina State Park. It’s located at 108 Residence Dr, Sunset, SC 29685. Learn more about it and all the things you can do here at this link.
Another wonderful place to access Lake Keowee for a day filled with fun is via High Falls County Park near Seneca.
Google Maps/shane mccall This 46-acre park is found on one of the narrow peninsular fingers of the lake and has plenty of lakefront access for swimming or launching a non-motorized boat.
Visitors here can play miniature golf, swim, camp, enjoy picnic areas with charcoal grills, use the fishing pier, and (if staying overnight), launch a motorized watercraft from one of the two boat launches.
Google Maps/Tony Trout High Falls County Park is located at 671 High Falls Rd, Seneca, SC 29672. Learn more and reserve a campsite at this link.
You can’t go wrong when you set out to spend a day by (or on!) the water at the underrated Lake Keowee in South Carolina. Have you spent time here? We’d love to know. What’s your most favorite lake in South Carolina and why?
Google Images/Ann Hoxit
For the most of its 26 miles, it is filled with alcoves and wonderful parks that allow plentiful access points for daytime and overnight guests.
Google Images/Patrick Duffy
Numerous day use activities include a sandy beach for swimming and sunbathing, picnic areas, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a pier for fishing.
Google Images/Stephen Deese
South Cove County Park is located at 1099 S Cove Rd, Seneca, SC 29672. Learn more at this link.
Google Maps/C Stew
Launch your boat or jet ski, rent a kayak, and enjoy a day on the water from Mile Creek Park.
Google Local/C Stew
The fee is collected at a self-serve station within the park. Other ways to enjoy this lakeside recreational area: a sand volleyball court, lighted and covered basketball court, and two playgrounds for the kiddos. Mile Creek Park is located at 757 Keowee Baptist Church Rd, Six Mile, SC 29682. Learn more this link.
Google Maps/Lynne Cummings
More than five miles of trails carved into the park’s 1,000 acres are well-traveled and dole out some astounding views of the lake.
Google Maps/Stephanie Kao
The park also has an access point for launching a canoe or kayak. Admission is free for this South Carolina State Park. It’s located at 108 Residence Dr, Sunset, SC 29685. Learn more about it and all the things you can do here at this link.
Google Maps/shane mccall
This 46-acre park is found on one of the narrow peninsular fingers of the lake and has plenty of lakefront access for swimming or launching a non-motorized boat.
Google Maps/Tony Trout
High Falls County Park is located at 671 High Falls Rd, Seneca, SC 29672. Learn more and reserve a campsite at this link.
To learn a theory on how and why the initial filling of Lake Keowee in the early 1970s is suspected of causing an earthquake, keep reading here!
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Address: Lake Keowee, South Carolina, USA
