Depending on who you ask, the distance Oconee County lacks of being its very own island ranges from 14 miles to a stones throw. "Oconee" is a Cherokee word meaning "land beside the water" and water is in no short supply. With all the lakes and rivers to explore you may just find it hard to leave...
Lakes in Oconee County SC
Lake Hartwell
Hartwell is one of the Southeast's largest and most popular public recreation sites. It has 56,000 acres of water and many recreation opportunities. There are numerous natural sand beaches along the 962-mile shoreline in addition to campgrounds, recreation areas and boat access ramps. Hartwell borders Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers.
Lake Hartwell State Recreation Area 19138A Highway 11S Fairplay, SC (864) 9752-3352 www.SouthCarolinaParks.com
Lake Hartwell State Recreation Area is a fisherman's dream. The 56,000-acre lake maintains a reputation for top-flight angling, including striped bass and hybrid bass, largemouth, crappie, bream and catfish. In addition to lake access, the site offers hiking, affordable one-room camper cabins and an information center, which has on display an array of fishing equipment.
Directions: S.C. Highway 11, 1/2 mile north of Interstate 85 GPS Coordinates: 34-39-31 N, 083-1-33 W
Lake Keowee
Lake Keowee covers Keowee Town, site of the capitol of the Lower Cherokee Nation. Keowee, meaning "place of the mulberries," was visited by Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto when he came through the area in 1540. With 18,500 acres of water and a 300-mile shoreline, the Lake Keowee area is a popular place for fishing, waterskiing, swimming, camping and picnicking.
This lake has 7,500 acres of deep water and 75 miles of shoreline. The lake is named Jocassee, "place of the lost one," after a Cherokee Legend. Jocassee, an Indian maiden, was said to have drowned herself in grief over the murder of her lover. The popular recreation area is surrounded by mountains and waterfalls.
Lake Tugaloo is fed by the Chattooga and Tallulah Rivers. Backed up by the Tugaloo dam the lake is a peaceful spot and a great place for fishermen. Kayaking tours of the lake offer a opportunity to see the beauty of this hidden gem up close.
Flowing freely through the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is the Chattooga River. THE premier whitewater destination in the southeast. The dynamics of this river and the surrounding area, present the most complete package nature lovers of all experience and thrill-seeking levels. Additionally there are many other rivers and creeks in the area that are running when there is enough rain or the dams are releasing?
Spectacular scenery and class IV rapids that will provide the ultimate adrenaline rush for anyone daring enough to paddle this river. The river runs for 9.8 miles with an average gradient of 40 fpm and a maximum of 150 fpm.
