Is your electric bill going up because of the heat? Are you leaving the freezer open to let in a cool breeze? Before you turn up the air conditioner, why not go for a dive in one of South Carolina’s lakes?
Lake Jocassee and Lake Murray were recently announced as winners of USA TODAY’s Top 10 Readers’ Choice Awards, with Lake Jocassee taking the top spot in the “Best Lakes for Swimming” category.
Lake Murray took second place in the “Best Lake for Water Sports” category.
Here’s why USA TODAY readers chose these lakes as the best in the country.
Lake Jocassee “has no shortage of rushing waterfalls to admire.”
Beat the heat at Lake Jocassee in Devil’s Fork State Park. Beloved by locals for its clear, pure water fed by Appalachian Mountain rivers, this beautiful lake is just 1 hour and 20 minutes from Greenville and makes for a fun summer day trip.
Those who love fishing can catch sunfish and trout, and according to USA TODAY, “there are plenty of impressive rushing waterfalls along the coast.” If swimming isn’t your thing, embark on a hiking adventure through the forests along Bear Cove Trail or Oconee Bells Nature Trail.
Escape the heat on Lake Murray
This South Carolina gem is close to downtown Columbia and has plenty of docks, ramps and marinas to moor your boat. USA TODAY recommends visiting the lake during the hot summer months, when it’s “an especially appealing refuge from the South Carolina heat.”
The lake hosts local, state and national fishing tournaments each year. In 2023, Bassmaster named Lake Murray “Top Lake in the Southeast.” That same year, Best Bass Fishing ranked the lake fourth in the nation. If you’d like to spend some time in nature watching wildlife, keep an eye out for great blue herons, striped bass and migratory purple martins.
USA TODAY 10Best Top 10 Lakes for Swimming
1st place: Lake Jocassee, South Carolina
2nd place: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
3rd place: Lake Erie, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania
4th place: Norris Lake, Tennessee
5th place: Lake Superior, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
6th place: Lake Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin
7. Deep Creek Lake (Maryland)
8th place: Lake Chelan, Washington
9th place: Grand Lake, Colorado
10th place: Lake Charlevoix, Michigan
USA TODAY 10Best Top 10 Lakes for Water Sports
1st place: Lake Erie, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania
2nd place: Lake Murray, South Carolina
3rd place: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
4th place: Lake Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin
5th place: Lake Martin, Alabama
6th place: Lake Havasu (Arizona, California)
7th place: Big Bear Lake, California
8th place: Lake Superior, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
9th place: Lake Champlain, New York, Vermont
10th place: Lake Mendota, Wisconsin
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Contact her at ntran@gannett.com.
