Verified September 26, 2026 against SC State Parks, Santee Cooper, and Recreation.gov.
Asking “what’s the best lake in South Carolina” is like asking “what’s the best barbecue.” The answer depends on who you are and what you want. So instead of one winner, here are our picks by category.
Nothing else comes close. Jocassee's water is some of the cleanest and clearest in the Southeast, fed by mountain streams and waterfalls that pour straight into the lake. Divers come from all over to see old roads and buildings on the bottom. The only public access is Devils Fork State Park. See Where to Swim on Lake Jocassee and our Lake Jocassee Kayak and Waterfall Tour.
Full guide →It gets two categories. It's the only lake in South Carolina with both trophy trout and smallmouth bass. Cold, deep water makes it a trout lake unlike any other in the state.
Full guide →South Carolina's largest lake, full stop. Together with Lake Moultrie, the Santee Cooper lakes cover about 160,000 acres.
Blue catfish that can outweigh your kids, stripers, crappie, and bass in endless flooded timber. Read Fishing Santee Cooper before you go. The local rules are strict.
Nearly 56,000 acres right off I-85, with a state park and several big Army Corps campgrounds. Perfect when you're driving through and need a site tonight. See Last-Minute Camping on Lake Hartwell.
The largest Army Corps lake east of the Mississippi, with 10 Class A Corps campgrounds. Great striper and largemouth fishing, and plenty of room to spread out. Hickory Knob State Park sits on its shores too.
Right outside Columbia and built for pontoon days, sailing, and sandbar hangouts. Lake Murray stretches 41 miles long. Camp and fish at Dreher Island.
The Santee National Wildlife Refuge covers 15,000 acres of land and water along the Santee Cooper lakes. Bring binoculars for Santee NWR Birding and cruise the Wildlife Drive.
Hartwell's state park and Corps campgrounds have shoreline sites, swim beaches, and fishing piers. At Jocassee, rent a kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or pontoon right in Devils Fork State Park.
Full guide →Jocassee (Known for: Clear water, waterfalls, trout; Where to start: Devils Fork State Park). Hartwell (Known for: Easy I-85 access, camping; Where to start: Lake Hartwell State Park). Thurmond (Known for: Big-water camping, stripers; Where to start: Army Corps campgrounds). Murray (Known for: Pontoon days near Columbia; Where to start: Dreher Island State Park). Marion (Known for: Biggest lake, trophy fish, wildlife; Where to start: Santee State Park). Moultrie (Known for: Big open water, fishing; Where to start: Santee Cooper ramps).
Whatever lake you pick, stop at the local bait shop or marina store. They'll tell you where the fish are, where the sandbar crowd goes, and where to get the best burger on the water. Wear your life jacket, pack out your trash, and never move fish or bait between lakes. More on every lake lives on our Lakes hub. Now go outside and play.