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