08/20/2026
Here are a few photos from our Lake Jocassee trip last weekend!
It was the best place we could find to go yakking when the heat was so brutal, although even Jocassee couldn't completely save us from the heat. The area is just as beautiful as always, but the water levels are WAY down. Theyāre currently about 13 feet below normal due to the drought this year.
Some of the waterfalls we used to be able to paddle our boats underneath were now only accessible on foot, and rocks weāve jumped off in the past were sitting completely dry above the water. It was definitely a different Jocassee than weāre used to seeing.
We managed to snag the last primitive campsite, 1.27 miles across the, but that climb to get there was GRUELING. It did come with an outhouse, though, so thereās that!
If you decide to camp on the island, BRING PLENTY OF WATER, as much ice as you can possibly carry, and definitely toilet paper or baby wipes because there is no water available at the campsite. Trust me on this one.
We did LOTS of swimming and snorkeling and even ran into some practice divers. We explored the cove they were in but unfortunately never found the fake cemetery weād heard about.
We also met so many wonderful, friendly peopleāand quite a few adorable puppies!
By 10:00 a.m. on our second day, the park was already at full capacity, so if you're planning a visit, GET THERE EARLY! It is definitely a beautiful place to spend a weekend, even when the heat and low water levels make things a little more challenging.
I still have GoPro video and plenty of other photos to upload. My phone doesn't take the best pictures, but at least I managed NOT to drop it in the water this time! That's what we're calling a successful trip.
š„ And of course, we passed out lots of PFD Ducks and life-jacket zipper-pull whistles to the adults.
And I'm sorry to the little boy's parents whose child BEGGED me for a whistle so he could ward off the sea monsters. I think he scared most of the wildlife away, but he got a fist bump, and agreed
LIFE JACKETS FOR LIFE!