9 Best Lakeside Towns in South Carolina

South Carolina may be best known as a coastal state, but its 14 major reservoirs, along with hundreds of additional lakes, account for hundreds of thousands of acres of inland water statewide. These retreats offer waterside living, from the salt-tinged air of the Coastal Plains to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Lakeside towns as tucked-away as Seneca and as central to Columbia’s urban appeal as Arcadia Lakes provide residents and visitors alike the chance to enjoy year-round recreation, natural splendor, and a relaxed ambiance.

So, whether you’re looking to kick back and relax with a glass of Carolina tea, which many claim to be South Carolina’s unofficial state beverage, or can’t wait to hit the water to enjoy the state's famed bass fishing, the following nine towns in South Carolina will transport you instantly to lake time.

McCormick

McCormick sits near one of the largest reservoirs in the southeastern US. Massive Lake Thurmond, also known as Clarks Hill Lake on its Georgia side (the lake’s 71,100 acres span both states) brings boating, fishing, and outdoor living residents and tourists alike. McCormick stays quiet enough to know your neighbors, but the lake’s dozens of public access points keep boat ramps, picnic areas, and trails busy. From town, the fastest way to the water can be found at Baker Creek State Park, less than a 12-minute drive, with Clarks Hill Park Recreation Area’s swimming beaches and fishing pier coming in a close second.

Inman

Inman's nearby, 1,534-acre Lake William C. Bowen gives the town a distinct identity. The lake, which is an 11-minute drive from Inman with public access through Anchor Park, provides wide, open waterfront with fishing piers and boat launches. Because the lake is a drinking-water reservoir, development stays controlled, which keeps the shoreline clean and accessible.

The town of Inman is a highlight all its own, with a compact center with restaurants, small businesses, and walkable streets. Mill Street serves as Inman’s central hub, with seasonal live music and festivals based here. Inman's location near Spartanburg adds convenience, while the balance of small-town intimacy with big recreation energy appeals to year-round residents and tourists alike.

Greenwood

Greenwood is one of the largest towns on this list with a year-round population of approximately 24,000, which means residents and tourists can enjoy relaxed lake life vibes without giving up access to the services that smaller towns sometimes lack. Lake Greenwood supports marinas, parks, and a long list of water-based activities. Ten miles outside of town, The Ninety Six National Historic Site provides historic context with interactive exhibits educating visitors on settler and Revolutionary War history, and Lake Greenwood State Park, 15 miles out of town, attracts nature lovers with campgrounds, peninsula shoreline, and the Lake Greenwood Nature Trail, an easy 0.8-mile path. In the town itself, the 25,000-square-foot Arts Center of Greenwood provides culture with its artist studios and galleries, and strolling through the Uptown Market is a popular activity for those who enjoy pop-up markets with handcrafted gifts.

Anderson and Centerville

Anderson and its smaller neighbor Centerville share double-billing on this list, as they complement one another perfectly. Near South Carolina’s western border, both towns benefit from Lake Hartwell's 962 miles of shoreline. The lake's size and landscape create a wide range of recreation options, from quiet coves to open water prime for boating. The closest public access point is Hurricane Creek Landing, popular with kayakers and anglers exploring the quiet coves and inlets of Lake Hartwell. River Forks Recreation Area is also close by, offering a boat ramp and picnic shelters.

Just 4 miles away from Centerville, Anderson enjoys a slower pace of life despite the popularity of recreating on Lake Hartwell. Main Street takes you back in time with its beautifully restored Palace Theater, an independent bookstore, The Book Nook, and unique gifts at Historic Square Gifts. Beyond Main Street, Anderson's residents enjoy suburban conveniences while remaining within arm’s reach of lakefront recreation.

Seneca

Seneca sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Lake Keowee shapes much of its appeal. The lake's clear water and nearby hiking in Sumter National Forest attract visitors, but Seneca’s year-round population of under 10,000 keeps it grounded in small-town appeal. In downtown Seneca, visitors and residents alike are drawn to its main street, which is referred to as Ram Cat Alley. Here, you’ll find unique shops, historic buildings, and restaurants as well as weekly live jazz. South Cove boat ramp offers the closest access point to Lake Keowee, perfect for launching boats, kayaks, and paddleboards, with the Keowee Marina offering even more services, including fuel, boat slips, and even houseboat rentals.

Salem

Touted as the gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Salem is smaller than Seneca but shares access to the same lake. The Lake Koewee shoreline here is some of the most scenic, where the water meets steep, forested slopes. Salem also enjoys proximity to Lake Jocassee, known as one of the state’s most pristine. Visitors and residents of Salem alike are drawn to the Jocasee Gorges, protected acreage of forestlands with one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls in the eastern US. The most impressive is Whitewater Falls, one of the tallest cascades east of the Rocky Mountains. For those who don't want to travel quite as far, Devil’s Fork State Park is just 10 minutes out of Salem. This park is the only public access point for Lake Jocassee, providing boating, camping, swimming, and picnicking.

Hartsville

Unlike the many towns that hug South Carolina's impressive reservoirs, Hartsville, in Darlington County and home to Coker University, offers access to a natural and modified pond and wetland system. While Prestwood Lake, located right in town, is manmade, Hartsville’s surrounding ponds are either former mill ponds, or in some cases, naturally occurring. These bodies of water, connected by wetlands and waterways, create a refreshing change of landscape, not to mention recreational opportunities.

Since much of this environment is on private land, a good entry point for exploration is Kalmia Gardens, which is especially known for bird-watching along its swamp trails. Back at Prestwood Lake, Lawton Park offers public lakefront access, and Coker University’s performing arts season provides cultural programming in the form of theater and music.

Clarks Hill

Clarks Hill, located near McCormick on (Lake Thurmond; it's known as Clarks Hill Lake on the Georgia side of the border), is a small community near the dam that gives the lake its name. Residents and visitors here enjoy some of the most accessible shoreline on the reservoir. The J. Strom Thurmond Lake Visitor Center makes for a good first stop to pick up maps and get oriented. Clarks Hill Recreation Area is a popular park near the dam. The area includes boat ramps, fishing spots, and wide views across the water.

Fishing charters are popular in Clarks Hill, and for more tranquility, check out Elijah Beach (not to be confused with Elijah Clark State Park, a half-hour away just over the Georgia border), offering picnic areas on a small cove. For plant and wildlife lovers, Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve offers a nature escape all its own just outside of Clarks Hill, with a loop trail under 2 miles.

Bonneau

Lake Moultrie is South Carolina’s third largest reservoir fully within the state perimeter at over 60,000 acres, and the small town of Bonneau sits on its western shore. Find public access points that support fishing, boating, and shoreline recreation at Bonneau Beach, where the shallow waters are ideal for kayaking, swimming, and paddleboarding.

Hiking is plentiful in nearby Francis Marion National Forest, and the Lake Moultrie fishing pier in Bonneau is a local landmark providing a picturesque backdrop for your next catch. In town, The Bonneau Civic Center hosts occasional events such as bingo or garden club tours, so it’s worth keeping on your radar to see if there are any offerings during your visit.

Inland from South Carolina's much-touted beachfronts, seemingly endless lake shorelines await. Diversity is plentiful, from mill ponds to massive reservoirs, and wildlife is abundant, whether you're an angler or bird-watcher. If you're looking for your next place to call home or seeking a sun-soaked lake getaway, you'll find it in the Palmetto State.