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Swimming Holes in South Carolina

Things to Do › Hidden Gems › Swimming Holes

18 natural places in South Carolina where the managing agency allows swimming, with the season and fee. Swimming is banned at many waterfalls and some lakes; the Where Swimming Is Not Allowed list below names them, from the agencies' own rules.

  • Spots18on this page
  • Regions5Upstate, Midlands, Lowcountry…
  • Free4as the operator states
  • CheckedOct 262026

The Short Answer

  • Several SC state parks have designated lake swimming areas with no lifeguards; Poinsett, Aiken and Lee list their season as Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. source
  • Cheraw State Park's Lake Juniper swimming area is open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. from May 1 to Labor Day weekend. source
  • At Devils Fork State Park, swimming is permitted in Lake Jocassee but there is no roped-off swimming area and no lifeguards. source
  • At Table Rock State Park the swimming area is open daily 7 a.m.-6 p.m., swim at your own risk, and pets are not allowed in the lake or on the swim beach. source

Every Spots on Our List

18 of 18
NameWhereWhatWhenCostGood to knowSource
Calhoun Falls State Park swim areaCalhoun Falls
Upstate		Designated lake swimming area on Lake Russell.Not published for 2026.Not listedAccess: 'No lifeguards are on duty and you must swim at your own risk.'source
Devils Fork State Park (Lake Jocassee)Salem
Upstate		The only public access point to Lake Jocassee; swimming is permitted in the lake.Not published for 2026.
Late spring to mid-fall 7am-9pm; late fall to mid-spring 7am-6pm.		$8 adults; $5 SC seniors; $4 children 6-15; 5 and under free; free on Tuesdays.Access: 'There is no roped-off swimming area and lifeguards are not provided. You may swim at your own risk.'
Dogs: Leash no longer than six feet in most outdoor areas.		source
Keowee-Toxaway State Park (Lake Keowee)Sunset
Upstate		Park on Lake Keowee where swimming in the lake is permitted.Not published for 2026.Not listedAccess: 'There is no designated swimming area at the park and lifeguards are not provided. You may swim at your own risk.'source
Oconee State Park lake swim areaMountain Rest
Upstate		Designated swimming area in the park lake, which the park calls a lake 'with a swimming hole'.'Swimming is permitted at this park in the designated swimming area beginning Memorial Day Weekend.' End date not published.
Park: Su-Th 7am-7pm; Fri-Sa 7am-9pm (7am-9pm daily during Daylight Saving Time).		Park admission $5 adults; $3.25 SC seniors; $3 children 6-15; 5 and under free.Access: 'Swim at your own risk.'
Kids: A playground is by the swimming area at the park lake.
Dogs: Leash no longer than six feet in most outdoor areas; page does not address dogs in the swim area.		source
Paris Mountain State Park swimming area (Lake Placid)Greenville
Upstate		Roped-off swimming area in the park; admission includes swim-area access when it is open.Park advisory on 2026-10-26 still read 'Both the swimming area and boat rentals are OPEN for the season!' Season dates not published; the BY THE NUMBERS list calls it a swimming area 'open during summer months'.
'The swimming area is open daily 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.' Swim at your own risk, weather permitting.		$6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors; $3.50 children 6-15; 5 and younger free; includes the designated swimming area when open.Access: Swimming only in the roped-off area; appropriate swimwear required.
Dogs: 'No dogs are allowed in the roped off swimming area.'		source
Table Rock State Park swim area (Pinnacle Lake)Pickens
Upstate		Designated swimming area on the park lake below Table Rock; wading is also allowed in the stream near the Carrick Creek Falls observation deck.Season dates for 2026 not published on the page read.
'The swimming area is "swim at your own risk," daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.'		Included in park admission: $6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors; $3.50 children 6-15; 5 and under free.Access: Swimming is not permitted from park boats.
Kids: Playgrounds are in the day-use area near the trailhead and swimming area.
Dogs: 'Pets are not allowed in the lake or on the swim beach per DHEC regulations.'		source
Aiken State Park spring-fed swimming areaWindsor
Midlands		Spring-fed swimming area in a CCC-built park on the South Edisto River.'Open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.'
Park M-Su 9 a.m. to sunset.		$3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors; $1 children 6-15; 5 and younger free.Access: Swim at your own risk; no lifeguard.
Dogs: 'Dogs are prohibited in and around the swimming area.'		source
Barnwell State Park swimming areaBlackville
Midlands		Seasonal swimming area at the park.Seasonal; dates not published.Not listedAccess: Swim at your own risk; no lifeguards.source
Lake Wateree State Park swimming areaWinnsboro
Midlands		Park swimming area on Lake Wateree with 'a sandy bottom' that 'deepens slowly and gradually'.Not published for 2026.
Park: sunrise to sunset, daily.		$3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors; $1 children 6-15; 5 and younger free.Access: Swim at your own risk; no lifeguards.source
Poinsett State Park swimming area (Levi Mill Lake)Wedgefield
Midlands		Seasonal swimming area on the park's 10-acre lake.'Open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.' Closed for the season as of 2026-10-26.
Park 9am-dark, year round.		$3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors; $1 children 6-15; 5 and younger free.Access: Swim at your own risk; no lifeguard.source
Saluda Shoals Park river tubing (Lower Saluda River)Columbia (Irmo area)
Midlands		Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission rents tubes for an about two-hour float on the Lower Saluda River with shuttle service.Seasonal schedule on page; also Memorial Day and Labor Day 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 2026 dates not otherwise published.
Tubes returned by 5:00pm; last rental on the water by 3:00pm.		$20 per tube including shuttle; parking fee listed as $5/daily on the tube page and $7/daily on the park page.Access: US Coast Guard approved life jacket required the whole time; operations shut down when the river is above 2,600 cfs; renters 18+ (16-17 with guardian waiver); minimum weight 30 pounds; no alcohol.source
Colleton State Park (Edisto River)Walterboro
Lowcountry		Swimming is permitted in the Edisto River at the trail's headquarters park.Not listedFreeAccess: 'Swimming is permitted in the Edisto River at your own risk. There are no lifeguards on duty and no designated swimming area.'source
Givhans Ferry State Park (Edisto River)Ridgeville
Lowcountry		Swimming is permitted in the blackwater Edisto River at the end of the Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail.Not published for 2026.
9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (to 9 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time).		$6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors; $3.50 children 6-15; 5 and under free.Access: 'There is no designated swimming area and all swimming is at your own risk. Loaner life jackets are available at the River House.' Cabin boardwalk and stairs to the river from the cabin area closed from flooding.source
Hunting Island State Park (Atlantic Ocean)Hunting Island
Lowcountry		Five miles of barrier-island beach where ocean swimming is allowed.Not listed$8 adults; $5 SC seniors; $4 children 6-15; 5 and under free.Access: 'Swimming is permitted in the Atlantic Ocean at your own risk. There is no designated swimming area and no lifeguards are on duty.'source
Cheraw State Park swimming area (Lake Juniper)Cheraw
Pee Dee		Roped and buoyed swimming area in Lake Juniper.'Open daily from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. from May 1 to Labor Day weekend.'
Swim area 7 a.m.-8 p.m. in season. Park: Nov.-Feb. 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; March 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Apr.-Sept. 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; October 7 a.m.-8 p.m.		FreeAccess: Swimmers must stay inside the buoys and ropes; no lifeguards.source
Lee State Park swimming areaBishopville
Pee Dee		Seasonal swimming area at a CCC park with artesian wells on the Lynches River; no fishing in the swimming area.'Open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.'
Day use 9 a.m. to sunset.		FreeAccess: Swim at your own risk; no lifeguard.source
Little Pee Dee State Park (Lake Norton)Dillon
Pee Dee		Seasonal designated swimming area in 54-acre Lake Norton.Seasonal; closed for the season as of 2026-10-26; dates not published.
9 a.m.-sunset, daily.		FreeAccess: No lifeguards; swim at your own risk.source
Huntington Beach State Park (Atlantic Ocean)Murrells Inlet
Grand Strand		State park beach where ocean swimming is allowed.Not listedNot listedAccess: 'Swimming is allowed in the Atlantic Ocean at your own risk. We do not have lifeguards.'
Dogs: Dogs allowed on the south end of the beach on a 6-ft leash; prohibited on the north end (north parking lot access to the jetty).
Parking: Temporary park closures may occur on weekends and holidays; arrive outside 10 a.m.-2 p.m.		source

Hours, dates and prices are copied from each operator’s own page on the date shown; check before you go.

Where Swimming Is Not Allowed

  • Kings Mountain State Park: 'Swimming is not permitted in the park lakes.' source
  • Croft State Park: 'Swimming is not permitted in the lake.' source
  • Table Rock State Park: swimming is not permitted from park boats. source
  • Santee State Park: swimming in Lake Marion is permitted at your own risk, but swimming around the pier cabins is prohibited. source
  • Lake Greenwood State Park: swimming is not allowed around boat ramps, the courtesy dock or the fishing pier. source
  • Wildcat Wayside Falls: the trail to the top of the upper falls is closed; climbing over the boulders to reach it is described as illegal and dangerous. source

Open-Lake Swimming at State Parks (No Designated Area)

  • Lake Hartwell State Park and Sadlers Creek State Park: swimming in Lake Hartwell at your own risk; no designated area and no lifeguards. source
  • Dreher Island State Park: swimming permitted in Lake Murray; the park has NO designated swimming area. source
  • Hamilton Branch and Baker Creek state parks: swimming permitted in Lake Thurmond at your own risk; no lifeguards. source
  • Myrtle Beach State Park: 'Swimming is permitted anywhere in the Atlantic Ocean at your own risk.' source
  • Edisto Beach State Park: swimming in the Atlantic at your own risk; no lifeguards. source

River Safety Warnings

  • USDA Forest Service: the Chattooga River 'has claimed many lives since the Forest Service began keeping records in 1970… The river has taken a toll on swimmers as well.' source
  • Lower Saluda River levels may rise or fall at any time due to releases from the Lake Murray hydroelectric dam; if you hear a siren, see flashing lights or notice rising water, move to a safe area immediately. source
  • Wading: Table Rock allows wading in the stream near the Carrick Creek Falls observation deck; Visit Greenville describes the pool at Lower Wildcat Wayside Falls as a place for splashing and wading. source

FAQ

Are there lifeguards at South Carolina state park swim areas?

The state park pages read all say swim at your own risk with no lifeguards on duty (for example Table Rock, Poinsett, Aiken, Lee, Cheraw, Devils Fork). source

Can you swim in Lake Jocassee?

Yes. Devils Fork State Park says swimming is permitted in Lake Jocassee at your own risk; there is no roped-off area and no lifeguards. source

Can my dog swim at a state park swim beach?

Not at Table Rock (no pets in the lake or on the swim beach), Paris Mountain (no dogs in the roped-off area) or Aiken (no dogs in or around the swimming area). source

Can you swim in the Chattooga River?

The Forest Service page does not list swimming as an activity and warns the river has taken a toll on swimmers as well as paddlers. source

What We Could Not Confirm

Not confirmed: we looked for these on official pages and did not find them. Check with the town or operator before you rely on them.

  • USFS swimming areas: the Forest Service pages for Cherry Hill Recreation Area, Lick Fork Lake, Woods Ferry and Sedalia do not mention swimming; Parsons Mountain Lake page did not load for us. No USFS SC swim area was confirmed, so none are listed as swimming spots.
  • Chau Ram County Park and Stumphouse/Issaqueena: Visit Oconee pages did not load for us on 2026-10-26; no official swimming rule confirmed. an earlier check quoted Stumphouse: the path from the deck to the bottom of Issaqueena Falls is 'quite dangerous and visitors are not encouraged to take it.'
  • Falls Park on the Reedy (Greenville): no wading or swimming rule found on a city page (greenvillesc.gov pages render navigation only). an unofficial summary quoted a Wikipedia claim that sliding down the falls is illegal under city law; not used.
  • Raven Cliff Falls, Rainbow Falls and other mountain waterfalls: no posted no-swimming rule found on the park pages read.
  • 2026 season dates: only Cheraw (May 1-Labor Day weekend), Oconee (from Memorial Day weekend) and Poinsett/Aiken/Lee (Memorial Day-Labor Day weekend) publish dates; years are not printed.
  • Paris Mountain advisory saying the swimming area is 'OPEN for the season' was still posted on 2026-10-26; may be stale.
  • Sesquicentennial State Park swimming not found on its things-to-do page.

Sources

  1. SC State Parks (SCPRT): poinsett > things to do
  2. SC State Parks (SCPRT): cheraw > things to do
  3. SC State Parks (SCPRT): devils fork > things to do
  4. SC State Parks (SCPRT): table rock > things to do
  5. SC State Parks (SCPRT): table rock
  6. SC State Parks (SCPRT): oconee
  7. SC State Parks (SCPRT): oconee > things to do
  8. SC State Parks (SCPRT): paris mountain
  9. SC State Parks (SCPRT): paris mountain > things to do
  10. SC State Parks (SCPRT): devils fork
  11. SC State Parks (SCPRT): keowee toxaway
  12. SC State Parks (SCPRT): keowee toxaway > things to do
  13. SC State Parks (SCPRT): calhoun falls
  14. SC State Parks (SCPRT): calhoun falls > things to do
  15. SC State Parks (SCPRT): lake wateree
  16. SC State Parks (SCPRT): lake wateree > things to do
  17. SC State Parks (SCPRT): poinsett
  18. SC State Parks (SCPRT): aiken
  19. SC State Parks (SCPRT): aiken > things to do
  20. SC State Parks (SCPRT): lee
  21. SC State Parks (SCPRT): lee > things to do
  22. SC State Parks (SCPRT): little pee dee
  23. SC State Parks (SCPRT): little pee dee > things to do
  24. SC State Parks (SCPRT): cheraw
  25. SC State Parks (SCPRT): barnwell
  26. SC State Parks (SCPRT): barnwell > things to do
  27. SC State Parks (SCPRT): givhans ferry
  28. SC State Parks (SCPRT): givhans ferry > things to do
  29. SC State Parks (SCPRT): colleton
  30. SC State Parks (SCPRT): colleton > things to do
  31. SC State Parks (SCPRT): hunting island
  32. SC State Parks (SCPRT): hunting island > things to do
  33. SC State Parks (SCPRT): huntington beach
  34. SC State Parks (SCPRT): huntington beach > things to do
  35. Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission: park > saluda shoals park
  36. Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission: programs and activities > tube rentals saluda shoals park
  37. SC State Parks (SCPRT): kings mountain > things to do
  38. SC State Parks (SCPRT): croft > things to do
  39. SC State Parks (SCPRT): santee > things to do
  40. SC State Parks (SCPRT): lake greenwood > things to do
  41. VisitGreenvilleSC (official CVB): things to do > outdoor activities > waterfalls
  42. SC State Parks (SCPRT): lake hartwell > things to do
  43. SC State Parks (SCPRT): dreher island > things to do
  44. SC State Parks (SCPRT): hamilton branch > things to do
  45. SC State Parks (SCPRT): myrtle beach > things to do
  46. SC State Parks (SCPRT): edisto beach > things to do
  47. USDA Forest Service: r08 > francismarionsumter > recreation > chattooga wild and scenic river

Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Swimming Holes in South Carolina”, itssouthcarolina.com/things-to-do/hidden-gems/swimming-holes-in-south-carolina/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.