The best way to beat this South Carolina heat is by finding a good lake or swimming hole to cool off in. Upstate South Carolina has a many outdoor options available for free or low cost and they are the perfect way to get outside this summer while getting a break from the heat. Check out the list below to find an attraction in your county.
Abbeville County: Calhoun Falls State Park
- 46 Maintenance Shop RD, Calhoun Falls, SC 29628
- 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Admission
- Adults – $3
- Seniors – $1.50
- Children age 6-15 – $1
- Below 5 – free
- Activities
- Nature walks, swimming, camping, and fishing
Anderson County: Lake Hartwell
- 19138-A HWY 11 S Fair Play, SC 29643
- Sunrise to sunset
- Admission
- Adults – $3
- Seniors – $1.50
- Children age 6-15 – $1
- Below 5 – free
- Activities
- Swimming, fishing, kayaking and motor boating
Cherokee County: Lake Whelchel
- 198 Concord Rd, Gaffney, SC 29341
- Admission
- $25 for boating permit, fishing permit required to fish
- Activities
- Kayaking, hiking or mountain biking on the Lake Whelchel Trail, but no swimming allowed in the lake
Greenville County: Jones Gap State Park
- 303 Jones Gap RD, Marietta, SC 29661
- 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. (hikers must be off trails by 7:30 p.m.)
- Admission
- Adults – $6
- SC seniors – $3.75
- Children ages 6-15 – $3.50
- Below 5 – free
- Activities
- Rainbow Falls, visit swimming holes as you go along the Middle Saluda River
- Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance of your visit. Go to the SC State Parks website to make your reservation.
Greenwood County: Lake Greenwood State Park
- 302 State Park Rd, Ninety Six, SC 29666
- 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Admission
- Adults – $3
- SC seniors – $1.50
- Children age 6-15 – $1
- Below 5 – free
- Activities
- Fishing, swimming in the lake, and kayaking.
Laurens County: Lake Rabon
- Lake Rabon Dr. Lauren, SC 29360
- Sunrise to sunset
- Admission
- Free, but boat permits and fishing licenses must be purchased for those activities.
- Activities
- Fishing, kayaking
Oconee County: Lower White Water Falls
- Foothills Trail Lower Falls, Salem, SC 29676
- Sunrise to sunset
- Admission
- Vehicles with seven passengers or less – $3
- Vehicles with seven passengers or more – $1/person
- Activities
- Hiking, swimming (in river on hike to the falls, swimming is not allowed at the falls)
Falls Creek Falls
- Falls Creek Waterfall Trail, 1526 Fall Creek Rd, Marietta, SC 29661
- Sunrise to sunset
- Admission
- Free, but parking is limited
- Activities
- Hiking, wading/swimming below waterfall
Blue Holes Falls
- Rich Mountain RD, Mountain Rest, SC 29664
- Sunrise to sunset
- Admission
- Free
- Activities
- Hiking, swimming
Pickens County: Table Rock State Park – Carrick Creek Falls
- 158 Ellison Ln, Pickens, SC 29671
- Sunday-Thursday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Extended to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday
- Admission
- Adults – $6
- SC seniors – $3.75
- Children age 6-15 – $3.50
- Below 5 – free
- Activities
- Hiking, swimming around the falls area
Twin Falls
- Water Falls RD, Sunset, SC 29685
- Sunrise to sunset
- Admission
- Free
- Activities
- Hiking, swimming below falls
Spartanburg County: Croft State Park – Craig Lake
- 450 Croft State Park RD, Spartanburg, SC 29302
- 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Admission
- Adults – $3
- SC seniors – $1.50
- Children age 6-15 – $1
- Below 5 – free
- Activities
- Fishing, swimming, kayaking
Union County: Musgrove Mill Horseshoe Falls Trail
- 398 State Park RD, Clinton, SC 29325
- 9 a.m. – 6 a.m.
- Admission
- Adults – $3
- SC seniors – $1.50
- Children age 6-15 – $1
- Below 5 – free
- Activities
- Hiking, swimming near falls