Can’t decide if you like the beach or the mountains? Have both – just alter those beach expectations a little – with these sandy lake beaches. Greenville, SC offers so many beach options fed by cool, refreshing mountain water. If you’re wondering “where are all the lake beaches near me?” you’ll want to keep reading this list. Everything here is within 2 hours of Greenville.
I grew up near the Jersey Shore so I have a good idea of what a beach should look like. Get that version of miles and miles of sand and shore out of your head. However, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised by these sandy mountain beaches that do have sand and sun, just not exactly like you may be used to at the ocean.
OK, now that you’re sufficiently prepared to enjoy both the beach and the mountain, here are our best recommendations of where to grab the sand toys, beach towels, and cooler and head out for some sun and a refreshing swim for the day.
If you’re looking for lakes for fishing, boating and other water activities, try our list of Recreational Lakes in the Upstate.
For a map of all these beaches, see below:
Sandy Mountain Beaches Near Greenville, SC
Lake Jocassee
Where: Devils Fork State Park, 161 Holcombe Circle, Salem
Cost: $8/adults, $4/kids ages 6-15, under five are free
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: All pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet.
Lake Jocassee beach is one of our favorites in the Upstate because you look out over the stunning and crystal clear lake. The view is unbeatable. Water shoes are best since you have to scramble down some rocks to get to the sandy oasis. How large the beach is will depend on the water level of the lake. If it’s around 96 or below, you’ll have a decent amount of sand. If it’s above that, you won’t. Check it before you go to prepare!
Pinnacle Lake
Where: Table Rock State Park, 158 Ellison Lane, Pickens
Cost: $6/adults, $3.50/kids ages 6-15, under five are free
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: No dogs allowed in the swimming area or beach. All pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet.
This lakeside beach area has a decent-sized shorefront with lots of sand. Get there early in the summer to make sure you are able to get into the park.
Lake Placid
Where: Paris Mountain State Park, 2401 State Park Road, Greenville
Cost: $6/adults, $3.50/kids ages 6-15, under five are free
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: No dogs allowed in the swimming area. All pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet.
Small beach in this state park located inside Greenville County. Watch the Paris Mountain website for swim advisories as water there has been found to be contaminated in recent years.
Chau Ram County Park
Where: Oconee County, Chau Ram Park Road, Westminster
Cost: $3/car
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: All pets must be leashed and on physical restraint
A nice little sandy beach with lots of shallow spots to swim and wade.
Riley Moore Falls
Where: Sumter National Forest, Riley Moore Falls Trail, Westminster
Cost: Free
Bathrooms: No
Pet policy: Dogs are welcome but they must be leashed according to SC leash laws.
This swimming hole and beach is accessible by a two-mile round-trip hike and people even camp there. Park near the sign that says “Riley Moore Falls” if you don’t have a 4×4 SUV or truck to get up the logging road to the trailhead. There is a good size sandy beach with views of the 50-foot wide waterfall. Lots of places to let the kids play around in the water but because so many people have littered, there is some trash around and we had to watch for glass. Water shoes were worn the whole time.
Sandy Mountain Beaches Near Anderson
Twelve Mile Park Recreation Area
Where: 113 Twelve Mile Park, Clemson
Cost: $4 parking fee
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: Pets are not permitted on the beach.
Pretty beach right in Clemson within the beautiful setting of Lake Hartwell. Learn all about it in our review of Twelve Mile Park .
South Cove Park
Where: On the shores of Lake Keowee, 1031 S Cove Rd, Seneca
Cost: $3/car
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: Pets are welcome anywhere in the park on a leash (including the swim beach and nature trails).
South Cove Park has a small sandy beach for sunbathing and playing, a great playground as well as lots of lakeside campgrounds. The park is actually a peninsula that extends into the lake.
Darwin Wright Park
Where: 106 Anderson Beach Boulevard, Anderson
Cost: Free
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: No animals allowed in the park at all.
Darwin Wright Park in Anderson County has a good-sized beach along the lake where you can swim. Swim at your risk since there are no lifeguards.
Sadlers Creek State Park
Where: 940 Sadlers Creek Rd, Anderson, SC
Cost: $3/adults, $1/kids ages 6-15 (free if you have a SC State Parks Pass)
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife.
There are multiple beaches at Sadlers Creek State Park plus plenty of spots to picnic, hang a hammock, grill, fish, or take out your kayak or paddleboard.
Broyles Recreation Area
Where: 900 Smyzer Road, Townville, SC
Cost: $5/car
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: Pets are allowed but must be kept on leash (6 ft or less) or otherwise physically restrained.
This small park is perfect for a day of fun with a beach along the shores of Lake Hartwell. They also have camping available.
The Shores of Asbury
Where: On the shores of Lake Hartwell, 1600 Asbury Park Road, Anderson
Cost: $10/parking per two people + $10/person beach access
Parking: Yes
Pet policy: No dogs are allowed on the white beach sand or sod areas at the restaurant. They are allowed on the patio area but must stay off the sod. There is an area designated as a dog friendly relief area with a pet station on the opposite side of the parking lot near the boat landing and near the smoking area.
The Shores of Asbury is a campground that has imported sand from Florida and a huge Aqua Zone floating obstacle course that operates seasonally. Beach access is available.
High Falls Park
Where: On Lake Kewoee, 671 High Falls Road, Seneca
Cost: $3/car
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: No dogs are allowed at the swimming areas are inside buildings.
Right on the beautiful Lake Keowee, High Falls Park has a small sandy beach, restrooms, changing rooms, and a campground.
River Forks
Where: 710 River Forks Rd, Anderson, SC
Cost: $4/car
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: All pets must be kept on a leash (not to exceed 6 feet) and are prohibited in the swimming beach areas and on the boat ramp.
There are designated swim beaches, a playground, picnic area, and boat ramps at this recreation area in Anderson.
Mile Creek County Park
Where: On Lake Keowee, 757 Keowee Baptist Church Road, Six Mile
Cost: $5/day parking fee
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: All pets must be on leash or under physical restraint at all times. Pets will not be left unattended. Noisy/aggressive animals must be removed from the park. Owners are required to pick up after pets.
This great little beach is perfect for families. It’s got a playground, swimming area, bathrooms, picnic facilities, and camping. Read our review here.
Calhoun Falls State Park
Where: On Lake Russell, 46 Maintenance Shop Rd, Calhoun Falls, SC
Cost: $3/adults, $1/kids
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife.
Small sandy beach right on Lake Russell. And there’s great camping sites here also.
Lake Hartwell State Park
There’s a very, very small sandy beach inside the park on Lake Hartwell off a small trail on the road leading to the fishing pier.
Where: 19138-A Hwy 11 S, Fair Play, SC
Cost: $3/adults, $1/kids ages 6-15
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife.
Sandy Mountain Beaches in Western NC
Lake Lure
Where: 2724 Memorial Hwy, Lake Lure, NC
Cost: $10/adults, $8/kids ages 4-12 + 45” tall, Kids four and under are free with adult
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: Pets are not allowed on the beach.
Lake Lure has a huge beach for relaxing, sunning, and playing. Admission also includes access to the on-site small waterpark. Lifeguards are present at Lake Lure.
Lake James State Park
Where: Just outside the Linville Gorge in NC, 6883 NC-126, Nebo, NC
Cost: $5/adults, $4/kids 12 and under
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted on the swim beach or inside buildings.
Large sandy beach just under two hours from Greenville with bathrooms, changing rooms, and a concession stand. No pets allowed on the beach. the lake has a designated swimming area with lifeguards from May to September. Opens May 1, 2024.
Lake Powhatan
Where: In Pisgah National Forest, 375 Wesley Branch Rd, Asheville
Cost: $4/person day use fee; $30 day use annual pass
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: Pets are not allowed on the beach.
This is a small lake and campground only 90 minutes from the Upstate with a sandy beach where lifeguards are on duty. It’s open Memorial Day to Labor Day. If you’re camping or glamping there, the fee is waived.
Pines Recreation Area on Lake Glenville
Where: 1965 Pine Creek Road, Cullowhee, NC.
Cost: Free
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: Pets are not allowed at the Pines Recreation Area.
Beautiful little beach on the shores of Lake Glenville in Jackson County, NC.
Sandy Mountain Beaches in North Georgia
Sandy Creek Park
Where: Athens, GA
Cost: $2/per person
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: Pets are not allowed on the beach.
Sandy Creek Park has it all: a playground, shaded picnic areas, a lake with boat rentals, 28,000 square feet of sandy swimming beach, and trails. It’s a great spot to cool off during the summer and walk the trails during the cooler months. It’s only 15 minutes outside of downtown Athens. Hours are Tuesday – Sunday from 7 am – 8:30 pm and closed on Mondays.
Sandy Creek Park
Wildwood Park
Where: 3780 Dogwood Lane, Appling, GA 30802
Cost: The daily rate is $3 a day for cars, trucks, or motorcycles and $6 for vehicles with a boat or watercrafts.
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: Pets are not allowed on the beach area.
Wildwood Park is just outside of Augusta, GA and has a beach, playground, camping, and watersport rentals.
Cane Creek Park
Where: 5213 Harkey Road, Waxhaw, NC
Cost: $4/car + $2/person for swimming or $5/person for swimming, mini-golf, and peddle boat day pass
Bathrooms: Yes
Pet policy: Dogs and other animals shall not be allowed within the fenced ballfield, swim areas, or inside buildings.
Cane Creek Park in Waxhaw, NC has a big, sandy beach where you can swim and play. They open June 14, 2023 and their hours are Wednesdays – Fridays 11 am – 6:30 pm. They are on a modified schedule due to a lifeguard shortage. They have also trails, peddle boats, kayak rentals, and mini-golf at this park.
Where’s your favorite sandy beach near the Upstate?
Hello,I just love the newsletter and I love Greenville I would love to move there in the future.Since I have a 10 year old son we come this way a lot. I would like to know coming from Columbia which beach would you recommend that may be the closest.? Thanks
Fellow Jersey Shore girl here and this is the article I’ve been waiting for! I love how you distinguished this is not the miles and miles of sand you might be expecting. Beach is used very liberally here and if you don’t clarify, it’s just disappointing! Thank you!
You’re welcome – happy you took notice (as you would because Jersey Girls are awesome)!