Looking for a family-friendly beach in the Upstate where you can swim, boat and enjoy the playground? While we don’t have a traditional beach to enjoy in the Upstate, we have a lakeside one just about an hour from Greenville. High Falls County Park is popular with locals and it will be your new favorite day trip and camping destination, too. High Falls County Park sits on 46 acres of land, on the shores of Lake Keowee in Oconee county.
This park is popular with upstate families because of the amenities and activities it offers. Whether you stay for just the day, or decide to camp at High Falls, there is no shortage of activities to keep you occupied. This was one of the first lakes we discovered when we moved here. The boat traffic is minimal and the shore doesn’t drop off like it does at some other upstate lakes.
Things to Do at High Falls County Park
Entry into the park is just $3 per car, paid in cash. Swimming at the lake is allowed and there is currently a life jacket loaner program for children to use. One of the reasons this park is so popular is because of the restrooms and playground in close proximity to the lakeshore. There are also shade trees to keep the sun off of everybody. These are all important features for families planning a day on the lake with children. You will also find a mini-golf course that is BYOP (Bring your own putter and ball) to have fun within the cooler months or in between dips in the lake. This lake is also great for boating. It’s ok if you don’t have your own, you can rent kayaks at the park.
Kayaking at High Falls County Park
My children and I love kayaking. My son has his own and I have a tandem kayak. I’ve said it before, but a child-sized kayak was one of the best gifts Santa ever got my son. We didn’t even have an adult one when he did that. Santa sure knew what he was doing though, because that lit a fire in my children and I for exploring our waterways. Paddling is something that I and my co-worker Kristina love, and if you have a chance to get your own – do it. They don’t require the same maintenance as a boat and can be found for just a few hundred dollars.
There are so many places in and around the Upstate to explore in a kayak. With that said, the water around High Falls County Park is a good place for a first-time lesson. The inlet to the right of the boat launch is a calm area within reach of the shore should you happen to need to swim to shore. I only say this in case you are a worrier, there is almost no chance you’d need to swim to shore. My three-year-old desperately wanted to paddle on her own. She sat in front of my son in the tandem kayak and he taught her how to paddle. He was sharing a passion for paddling with his little sister, when normally they are screaming at each other. It was a peaceful day on the lake and one I won’t soon forget.
Camping at High Falls County Park
If an overnight adventure is what you seek, the park offers 91 campsites, with 10 of them being on those being on lake. Peak times for the campground are the months of May through September, with no camping in the winter months (December – February). Campsites start at $25 a night and can be reserved through Reserve America. All the sites have electrical hook-ups and there is a bathhouse on site. Camping in the off-peak times is when I like to go. The cooler fall months are better for going without air conditioning, in my opinion.
The park has two fishing piers available to use. You’ll need to have an SC freshwater fishing license to fish in Lake Keowee. In the cooler months, the lake is known for its spotted bass fishing.
You can enjoy this park year-round, so don’t let the cooler weather stop you from going to explore High Falls County Park.
High Falls County Park
671 High Falls Road
Seneca, SC 29672
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