Map showing campground location near Sunset, Georgia

Camper submitted image from Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area

Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area sits within a large protected landscape straddling the Blue Ridge foothills, drawing campers who arrive by boat, on foot via the Foothills Trail, or by vehicle to the drive-in sites near the concession building. The campground loop is small, and reviewers note the sites run close together on the drive-in side. Cell service is spotty throughout the area, so plan accordingly.

Water is the defining feature here. The lake runs cold and clear, and Benjamin C. describes it as "clean and clear water like we haven't experienced before." Kayakers and anglers have consistent access to both the lake and the river, which has a bridge crossing and fishable banks. There is no designated swim access to the lake, which is worth knowing before arrival. Waterfalls are visible from the water on the lake side, and the surrounding forest holds moderately strenuous hiking trails.

The campground provides electric and water hookups, a dump station, and WiFi, making it functional for RV campers as well as tent sites. Reservations are available and fill up fast around holidays and summer weekends. Eastatoee River RV Park is a nearby alternative for those who need more infrastructure. Hunters also use the WMA seasonally, so checking the DNR calendar before a trip is worth the extra step.

Campers who come prepared for limited connectivity and close-set sites will find the lake access and trail network reason enough to return.

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Map & DirectionsJocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area is located in Georgia near Sunset

Public Campground

Coordinates

34.97514178032193 N
82.87074549040918 W

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 8/5/26
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 8/5/26
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Dispersed
Group

Features

For Campers

Reservable
WiFi
Electric Hookups
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Water Hookups

Contact

General Info

Visit Website

Reservations

+18648680281

Drive Time

54 min from Greenville, SC
1 hr 18 min from Asheville, NC
1 hr 21 min from Spartanburg, SC

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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area

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5 Stars

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4.5

out of 5

5 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the stunning scenery and clean lake waters as major highlights. A common theme was the primitive backcountry experience with limited amenities, though drive-in sites offer more facilities.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Candy H.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 21, 2020

Not big rig friendly

Lots of opportunities for kayaking, hiking. Not an easy place for first timers to get into. No swim access to the lake. Small campground loop. Forested and moderately strenuous hiking trails.

(4) View All

Benjamin C.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 17, 2020

Words Truly Can’t Describe

We are from TN, but my family has lived in the Upstate area for a long time. My family just recently found out about this place a few years ago. Well this was our first time out on the water and wow it was beautiful. Clean and clear water like we haven’t experienced before. Beautiful water falls! Also Nicely taken care of facilities! We couldn’t have asked for a better place to spend our visit. We plan to bring our camper in the future and explore all this area has to offer.

(7) View All

Erica

Guide

Reviewed May. 25, 2019

Amazing scenery and waterfalls

This small primitive campsite is located near the NC side of Jocassee. A lot of people hike in to these campsites via the foothills trail but it’s a very long hike so we carefully boated in from the Devil’s fork side. There’s no water spigots, bathrooms, or amenities other than a fire ring, and cell service is spotty so this is truly a down-to-basics getaway. It’s one of the most beautiful areas and we love Jocassee for its amazing scenery- very little houses, it’s a deep cold lake and the cleanest lake in SC. There are so many gorgeous waterfalls on the lake! They have a bridge crossing over the river, but you can also fish in the river. They also allow hunting. It’s a very quiet area right along the foothills trail and I highly recommend camping here, or even just staying the day!

(13) View All

Maggie J.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 23, 2018

Favorite Spot

There are so many campsite available through Jocassee. Currently my favorite campsites lie off of the Canebrake Trail and connect with the Foothills Trail. My family and I mainly hike to the first-come-first-serve campsites but there are also a lot of boaters tying off at the shoreline. It features two bridges and a waterfall/river. The reservable campsites right across from the concession building on the other side of the lake are also well kept and are considered drive-in which is useful if you plan to stay only a few days, but they are too close to one another for my taste. I would recommend reserving campsites plenty of time ahead as it gets filled up quickly, especially on holidays and during the summer.

Maddi P.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2018

Enjoyable and secluded

My only complaint was that the grounds could have been cleaner but I’m sure part of the blame is on the poor weathers we have been having for the past few weeks. Fortunately for us the poor weather also scared off fellow campers so we ended up being the only ones in sight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping spots in the Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area?

Camping spots in Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area are available in several locations. Popular primitive campsites can be found along the Canebrake Trail where it connects with the Foothills Trail. Additional campsites are located near the North Carolina side of Lake Jocassee. These sites operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Many visitors access shoreline campsites by boat, particularly the more remote sites. The area features both hiking-accessible sites and shoreline locations where boaters can tie off and camp.

Do I need reservations for camping at Lake Jocassee?

Most camping sites in the Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area operate on a first-come, first-serve basis without reservations. This is particularly true for the primitive campsites along hiking trails and shoreline areas. The area can be less crowded during poor weather conditions, offering more solitude. For the best chance at securing a spot, arriving early, especially on weekends and during peak season, is recommended. Check with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for the most current information regarding any policy changes.

What hiking trails are available in the Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area?

The Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area offers several hiking options with varying difficulty levels. The Foothills Trail is a major route through the area, connecting to other paths like the Canebrake Trail. These trails provide access to remote campsites and stunning lake views. The hiking terrain is primarily forested and can be moderately strenuous, making it somewhat challenging for beginners. Trails lead to scenic waterfall views, with some routes extending quite far—hikers accessing campsites from the Foothills Trail should be prepared for potentially long treks.

What should I know about the Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area regulations?

Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area is a primitive wilderness experience with minimal facilities. Campsites typically have fire rings but no water spigots, bathrooms, or other amenities. Pack-in, pack-out principles apply—the area should be kept clean, and all trash must be carried out. Swimming access to the lake may be limited in some areas. Boating is permitted and provides access to remote campsites and waterfalls. The terrain can be challenging for first-time visitors, so proper preparation is essential. For complete and current regulations, contact the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources before your visit.

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