Lake Jocassee
Lake Jocassee is a 7,500-acre (30 km2), 300-foot (91 m) deep reservoir in northwest South Carolina. This one stands 6 mi northeast of Salem. The first name on our list around it is Memorial Stadium, Clemson, 20 mi away.
A lake, 6 mi northeast of Salem
Salem is the nearest base
Salem is 6 miles southwest, with 6 places to stay. Where to stay ↓
Best months: Apr, May, Sep and Oct
April, May, September and October are the mild months, with highs of 72–82°. When to go ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures and Wikipedia.
Month by month
Each month’s highs and lows around Lake Jocassee are below.
Lake Jocassee
Lake Jocassee is a 7,500-acre (30 km2), 300-foot (91 m) deep reservoir in northwest South Carolina. It was created in 1973 by the state in partnership with Duke Power. The lake is known for the clean and cold Appalachian mountain rivers that flow into it, keeping its waters cool and clear year-round. The Jocassee Dam, which forms the lake, is 385 feet (117 m) high and 1,750 feet (530 m) long. The lake is within Devils Fork State Park.
Although most manmade structures were demolished before the lake was flooded, divers recently discovered the remains of a lodge that was left intact; it is now below 300 feet (91 m) of water. Mount Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery was a setting for a scene in the film Deliverance (1972), starring Burt Reynolds and Jon Voight, produced before the lake was flooded. The site is now covered by 130 feet (40 m) of lake water.
- Type
- Lake
- Wikipedia readers
- 23K a year
Rooms near Lake Jocassee
The first towns with rooms are Highlands (30) and Salem (6).
Highlands
The closest town with somewhere to stay.
1,127 people · 65% vacation homes
17 mi west of Lake Jocassee
Compare 8 towns
| Town | From Lake Jocassee | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlands 65% vacation homes | 17 mi west | 25 min | 30 18 hotels · 3 inns & B&Bs · 7 lodges & cabins · 1 campground · 1 RV park | 1,127 | $701K | — |
| Salem | 6 mi southwest | 10 min | 6 1 hotel · 3 inns & B&Bs · 1 campground · 1 RV park | 129 | $168K | — |
| Cashiers 54% vacation homes | 14 mi northwest | 20 min | 11 9 hotels · 2 lodges & cabins | 683 | $346K | — |
| Rosman | 14 mi northeast | 20 min | 8 1 lodge or cabins · 6 campgrounds · 1 RV park | 760 | $213K | — |
| Keowee Key | 10 mi south | 15 min | 4 1 lodge or cabins · 3 campgrounds | 3,351 | $556K | — |
| Brevard | 23 mi northeast | 35 min | 21 7 hotels · 1 motel · 5 inns & B&Bs · 3 lodges & cabins · 3 campgrounds · 2 RV parks | 8,098 | $450K | B− |
| Clemson | 20 mi south | 30 min | 15 11 hotels · 1 motel · 3 inns & B&Bs | 18,941 | $398K | C+ |
| Seneca | 20 mi south | 30 min | 9 6 hotels · 2 motels · 1 campground | 9,424 | $240K | C− |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
More to see nearby
A wider trip can take in these, within 68 miles.
Big draw67 mi Theme parkDollywood3.4M visitors a year
Big draw67 mi MountainMount Mitchell
Big draw53 mi National ParkGreat Smoky Mountains National Park11.5M visitors a year
120 mi Stadium & arenaMemorial Stadium, Clemson
Big draw53 mi MountainKuwohi
211 mi LakeLake Keowee
39 mi MountainCurrahee Mountain
329 mi National forestPisgah National ForestPhoto credits
Dollywood: Brian Stansberry (photographer), CC BY 2.5 · Mount Mitchell: Unknown, Public domain · Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Scott Basford, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Memorial Stadium, Clemson: Caseyh at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Kuwohi: C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr., Public domain · Lake Keowee: Inundated_38Oc1.jpg: Matthew T. Bradley from Berkshire County, Mass., USA deriva, CC BY 2.0 · Currahee Mountain: Wikilackey (talk), Public domain · Pisgah National Forest: Ken Thomas, Public domain
A visit to Lake Jocassee: questions
What town is Lake Jocassee near?
Salem, SC, about 6 miles southwest.
When is the best time to visit Lake Jocassee?
April, May, September and October, with highs of 72–82°.
What is the closest airport to Lake Jocassee?
Asheville Regional (AVL), about 39 miles away. The nearest big hub is McGhee Tyson (TYS), about 84 miles.
Where should I stay near Lake Jocassee?
Highlands (17 mi, 30 places to stay), Salem (6 mi, 6 places to stay) and Cashiers (14 mi, 11 places to stay).
Inside knowledge from Salem
Ask a question, or answer one, in Salem’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.