Almost every major reservoir lake in South Carolina touches a state park, and in some cases, the park is the only public access point for sailing, boating, fishing and other recreational activities on the lake.
Lake Greenwood is an 11,400 acre man-made lake operated by Duke Power Company. Public access is available through public boat ramps, local parks and Lake Greenwood State Park.
The Savannah, Seneca, Tugaloo, and Chauga Rivers form this 56,000-acre lake that spans the Georgia-South Carolina border. Public access is provided by a number of public boat ramps, local parks and Lake Hartwell and Sadlers Creek state parks.
Largely undeveloped and crystal clear, Lake Jocassee is a 7,565 acre man-made lake in the South Carolina mountains, accessible only through Devils Fork State Park. Formed by several rivers and waterfalls, it is known for its views of the Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area and surrounding mountains.
Downstream from Jocassee is 18,372-acre Lake Keowee. This man-made lake is operated by Duke Power Company and is known for its serene mountain setting. The lake is populated with public ramps and Keowee-Toxaway State Park also serves as an access point.
Known for its big fish and abundant wildlife in Santee Cooper Country, Lake Marion is the largest lake in South Carolina, covering 110,000 acres. Public access is provided by public boat ramps in the area, Santee State Park and the Santee National Wildlife Refuge.
Lake Murray is a 50,000-acre man-made lake in the Midlands of South Carolina. It is operated by South Carolina Electric and Gas Company and is known for striped bass fishing and summer water sports. Public access is through public parks near the dam, public boat ramps and marinas, and Dreher Island State Park.
Lake Russell is a 26,650-acre impoundment on the Savannah River that inhabits both Georgia and South Carolina. The lake is perfect for all types of water sports and nearly 1,500 acres of the lake are flooded timber. The lake can be accessed through Calhoun Falls State Park.
Thurmond Lake is the largest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project east of the Mississippi River and one of the 10 most visited Corps lakes in the nation, serving seven million visitors annually. The lake offers camping, day use areas, boating, fishing, hunting and trails. Baker Creek State Park, Hamilton Branch State Park, and Hickory Knob State Resort Park are located on the shores of the lake.
Lake Warren State Park provides access to a 200-acre recreational lake, Lake George Warren.
Lake Wateree is one of South Carolina’s oldest man-made lakes, known for its bass, catfish, bream and crappie fishing. With more than 13,000 surface acres and 242 miles of shoreline, the lake is a year-round favorite of campers, fishermen and recreational boaters. Public access is provided through a number of public boat ramps and Lake Wateree State Park.
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