Lake Jocassee, the gorgeous reservoir that fills 300 feet of the bottom of the Jocassee Gorges in the Upstate of South Carolina, is widely known as a bit of a paradise when it comes to outdoor activities. But did you ever stop to wonder about how Jocassee and the Gorges came to be named as such?
If you're surmising the name has a Native American origin, then you are correct. The land underneath the water belonged to the Cherokee Indians long before we staked claim to the area.
The lake itself wasn't built until 1973, but the name Jocassee was around long before the reservoir came into existence. Here's the scoop on where it came from and what it means:
A lovely Cherokee maiden, named Jocassee, lived on the west side of the river, and her love interest, Nagoochee, lived on the opposing side of the river.
One day, her own brother went out to battle and came back with the severed head of Nagoochee hanging from his belt. Legend has it that Jocassee was so distraught, she stepped into the Whitewater River and, instead of sinking, she began to walk across THE TOP of the water. She walked all the way to the other side to meet the ghost of her dearly departed Nagoochee.
The name Jocassee means "Place of the lost one." The site where Jocassee stepped into the Whitewater River to meet the ghost of Nagoochee is reportedly now under the water on the western side of the reservoir.
Have you been to Jumping Off Rock to see this view high above Lake Jocassee? It's fantastic! You can learn more about getting to the Jumping Off Rock overlook from this previously published article.
The Iconic Trail in South Carolina Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime
Explore the unique Sandhills Hiking Trails in South Carolina, where ancient sandy dunes, longleaf pine forests, and diverse wildlife create a distinctive outdoor adventure.
One thing I really love about hiking trails is how wildly different one can be from another. You can have a twenty-miler that kicks your butt and shifts in elevation the likes of which rock climbers only see. But then you can also have (sometimes in the same park!) A two-mile jaunt that takes you through nature in a relaxed, morning stroll type of way. The good news for everyone hiking in South Carolina is we have both varieties of trails at our disposal. If you are leaning more toward the latter though, we recommend checking out Sandhills Hiking Trail in Sesquicentennial State Park.
The Sandhills Hiking Trail in South Carolina is a popular trail that highlights the uniqueness of the Sandhills region. Located just outside of Columbia, the park is well-known for its scenic beauty, pine forests, and beautiful lake. The Sandhills Hiking Trail gives visitors an excellent opportunity to experience the distinctive ecosystems of the region while enjoying a peaceful outdoor escape.
In terms of trail overview, this hike is rated as easy-to-moderate, and suitable for hikers of all skill levels and ages. Clocking in at around two miles total, this loop trail will take hikers through towering pine trees, stunning shaded longleafs, and through the Sandhills terrain.
What’s more fascinating about the Sandhills region and what levels up this hike to iconic status is the fact that the terrain is the result of ancient beach dunes left behind when the Atlantic Ocean receded. In case you didn’t know, over 100 million years ago, much of inland South Carolina was covered by the ocean, which is why today, sediments, fossils, and other marine deposits typical of the area, can be found out in the wild!
Keep in mind, the park is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset and there is a small admission fee for day-use visitors. This goes to a good cause though, as it helps maintain the park and keep conservation efforts coming! Also, dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leash.
Have you ever trekked the Sandhills Hiking Trail before? What were your favorite parts about the experience? Sound off in the comments section!
Also, make sure to sign up for an Alltrails Plus membership before you hike! That way you can get even more information before you start your journey.
The Palmetto State is undoubtedly a water lover's paradise. Whether it's shredding waves on the coast, rafting rapids on the Saluda in Columbia, or spending the day topside on the boat of your dreams on one of the best lakes in SC, you're in the right spot! You can enjoy any of those activities on just about any lake in the state. But what about finding a water destination that's so out of the way that it's actually quiet, devoid of that overwhelming tourist vibe? Welcome to Lake Tugalo, a remote lake in South Carolina that most people have never even heard of. It might be a bit out of the way for some, but I can promise that it's absolutely stunning and worth a visit.
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You'll find Lake Tugalo (a.k.a. Tugaloo Lake) along the South Carolina / Georgia border. The South Carolina portion is located in Oconee County.
But, of course, looking at it on a map is nothing at all like seeing this pristine wilderness in person!
Lake Tugalo is located on both the Chattooga River (in South Carolina) and the Tallulah River (in Georgia). Both rivers are flanked on either side by mountains, making the overall scene here simply breathtaking.
This narrow 597-acre lake in SC was created nearly 100 years ago when the two rivers were dammed by Georgia Power for the purpose of creating hydroelectricity.
Almost 18 miles of shoreline are all protected and therefore mostly undeveloped on the South Carolina side of the reservoir. The only exceptions are a couple of access points for small watercraft.
If you're an avid fan of Lake Jocassee and the amazing mountain views found on that lake, then just wait until you experience the mountains from a kayak on Lake Tugalo. Here, they are so close you almost feel as if you could reach out and touch them! It's without question one of the best lakes in South Carolina for these coveted scenic mountain views.
This pristine and remote lake in South Carolina just might be one of the most beautiful spots in the entire state.
The load-in ramp mentioned here on the South Carolina side is located approximately 1.5 miles upstream from the Georgia Power dam that created this lovely reservoir. This is where the Tallulah and Chattooga rivers converge.
If you're paddling in the area, it's definitely worth the trip down the Chattooga River to take a look.
Access to the lake via the load-in ramp mentioned above is located 22 miles northwest of Westminster, 53 miles northwest of Anderson, and 77 miles southwest of Greenville. See? It really is in the middle of nowhere!
It's worth mentioning here that Section IV of the Chattooga River is widely known as one of the most dangerous Class IV rapids in America. It's claimed many lives. The "Take Out Ramp" for Section IV of the Chattooga mentioned in this article is located approximately five miles BELOW the dangerous rapids. So kayaking this section of the river below the ramp mentioned above should be a smooth experience.
Lake Tugalo in South Carolina is the perfect spot for rafting and paddling enthusiasts. It's certainly one of the best lakes in Oconee County, SC. And, it's also known for its great fishing! Had you heard of it before today? If you've visited, we'd love to hear any tips or tricks you have for making a visit great. Let us know in the comments!
A visit to Lake Tugalo is always a great idea, but while you're in Oconee County you might also want to find some time to visit a waterfall. There are more waterfalls in Oconee County than in any other county in the state! Oconee State Park is worth checking out as well which is close to two popular waterfalls and has seven incredible hiking trails to explore.
