Rowdy Harris
Park Manager
I am Rowdy Harris, Park Manager at Devils Fork State Park. My entire life, I have always enjoyed the outdoors, but never really considered being a park ranger. I was looking for something to do for the summer during college, and found out the state parks hired seasonal employees. I started at Dreher Island State Park, part-time in the spring of 2004, fell in love with the job and have never looked back.
Though it is hard to single out a favorite element of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Devils Fork is unique because it is located on Lake Jocassee. That combination of a beautifully clear lake nestled in the rugged mountains makes it a very special place. An added bonus is the lake is a fun, but challenging, trout fishery.
If you’re a first-time visitor to Devils Fork, make sure you see the Oconee Bells if you are here in early spring when they are blooming. But, a must-do year round is taking a tour on the lake to see the sights and the waterfalls. That is definitely my favorite. Add dropping a lure in the water for a trout or bass, and you've got a perfect day!
**Our Ultimate Outsider stamp is located just outside the Ranger Station at the park kiosk.
The mountain spring-fed Lake Jocassee encompassed by the Jocassee Gorges, waterfalls accessible only by boat and some of the best South Carolina trout fishing are all part of the allure of Devils Fork State Park.
The land around 7,565-acre Lake Jocassee remains mostly undeveloped and the only public access point to the lake is through Devils Fork. Four mountain streams and several waterfalls feed into the lake, making it cooler than others and a great South Carolina trout fishing spot. Plus, the unusually clear water of Lake Jocassee is a haven for scuba divers and swimmers. During the spring months, hikers on the Oconee Bell Nature Trail are treated to sightings of the endangered Oconee bell wildflower.
Overnight guests can stay in a fully-furnished villa or in one of two campgrounds located near Lake Jocassee.
Want to see more of South Carolina? Try fishing for bass at Dreher Island State Park and enjoy boating and more on the Strom Thurmond Reservoir at Hickory Knob State Park.