The Best Spots for South Carolina Lakefront Homes
There is something special about a body of water that appeals to the human psyche. South Carolina is a natural paradise that offers plentiful opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water sports. The best part is that Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate is your gateway to owning some of the most beautiful South Carolina lakefront homes. Let’s explore some of the best opportunities and what makes each area special.
South Carolina Lakefront Homes Guide
South Carolina is home to 12 major lakes that range from 7,500 to 110,000 acres. It also has a bunch of smaller lakes that are just as beautiful. Each of them has its own unique character that makes it stand out and offers a unique lifestyle. This is something you need to consider when searching for your perfect South Carolina lakefront homes and properties.
Some of the areas and communities on this list are perfect for growing families, while others make the perfect place for retirement. Some are more secluded, and some offer thriving communities. This Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate guide will give you a few ideas on where to begin your search. These lakes are not ranked in any particular order.
1. Lake Jocassee
Lake Jocassee was built in 1973 by Duke Energy to generate electricity. It covers 7,500 acres and has a dam that is 385 feet high. It is a beautiful mountain lake surrounded by undeveloped and government-protected land. The lake is always crystal-clear and features abundant wildlife.
Amenities at the lake include several boat ramps, campgrounds, and plenty of hiking trails. It features 75 miles of shoreline, and the waterway itself is 8 miles long. Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee are part of a sister project and are closely connected. Lake Jocassee is considered a top market for South Carolina lakefront homes, with an average sale price of around $1.5 million. Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate offers a range of home types that include subdivisions, communities, and more secluded home sites.
2. Lake Greenwood
Lake Greenwood was built in the 1930s and is leased by Duke Energy. The lake spans three counties with about three-quarters of the shoreline developed for housing and boat docks. Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate professionals consider this the perfect place to find more secluded South Carolina lakefront homes. The lake has 212 miles of shoreline and offers plenty of opportunities for fishing and boating.
This is a smaller lake, and real estate prices vary widely, which means that you can sometimes find an excellent deal. You can find homes in this area for under $350,000. If you are looking for a quiet life, this lake has plenty of opportunities for viewing wildlife and enjoying the natural beauty South Carolina has to offer.
3. Lake Hartwell
Lake Hartwell is a large, 56,000-acre reservoir that was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960s for flood control and power generation. This is one of the more popular lakes for recreation and sits on the border between Georgia and South Carolina. It is within only a few hours of Atlanta and Charlotte.
This lake offers South Carolina lakefront homes with gorgeous scenery and plenty of opportunities for boating. Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate agents consider this one to be an angler’s dream, and it is a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts from all over the state. Its proximity to major cities and airports makes it a popular market with homes averaging around $350,000. You can enjoy the amenities of the big city and then return to your natural paradise.
4. Lake Keowee
Lake Keowee is another lake owned by Duke Energy. It covers 18,500 acres and has a length of 15 miles. It was completed in 1971 and is one of the most popular areas for South Carolina lakefront homes. If you choose a home here, the fall foliage scenery will take your breath away. It is a favorite pick of Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate experts.
Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate is the second-largest market for lakefront property in South Carolina. It has several well-developed subdivisions, and there are typically over 290 homes for sale at any one time. Homes have an average sale price of around $700,000, and it is a growing area. The lake has 300 miles of shoreline and is close to the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, which is only about 50 miles away.
Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate offers several subdivisions and communities that have charming homes to suit many needs. It is a popular destination for retirees, and it is also a great place for families. This lake is considered a hidden gem by many and is a favorite vacation destination.
5. Lake Murray
Bass and striper fishermen will like this paradise of South Carolina lakefront homes. Lake Murray offers 650 miles of shoreline. It is a 50,000-acre lake that is 20 miles long. It is a well-established destination for fishermen and those who love boating.
The dam was completed in 1930, and it has been a popular spot since that time. It is an established community with plenty of small stores and things to do in the local area. There is a state park on the lake, and it has an abundance of bait and tackle shops.
Lake Murray is one of the largest markets for South Carolina lakefront homes, and Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate experts find home prices averaging around $450,000 due to demand. It is conveniently located about an hour from Columbia, which means that you can easily go into the city for a little shopping or entertainment.
6. Lake Monticello
Lake Monticello is a sister lake to Lake Murray and covers about 7,000 acres. It is a smaller lake and is easily accessible from South Carolina Highway 99, Highway 215, and Highway 257. Its 51 miles of shore have some beautiful natural areas where you can enjoy wildlife in an undisturbed setting.
One of the things that makes Lake Monticello so popular is that it is only a short drive from Myrtle Beach and Charleston. There is plenty to do at the lake, and it offers a welcoming community, but home inventories in the area are typically low. If you are someone looking to build a home to suit your exact needs, this lake offers more Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate opportunities than others on the list.
7. Lake Wateree
Lake Wateree has about 242 miles of shoreline and is located about an hour from the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate professionals find the average home price to be around $350,000, and you can usually find many listings available at any one time.
This 13,700-acre reservoir was built in 1920 and is owned by Duke Energy. The lake is surrounded by beautiful woodlands, and it is home to many fishing tournaments throughout the year. Residents enjoy Lake Wateree State Recreation Area, Shaw Air Force Base Recreation Center, and a bird refuge.
Lake Wateree is also close to the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, and there are plenty of children’s activities in the area. It is a popular area for families and those of all ages to find perfect South Carolina lakefront homes and those who are looking for an active lifestyle. Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate experts think it offers some of the most scenic views, too.
8. Lake Wylie
Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate experts find that Lake Wylie is a comfortable community located on the Catawba River. The dam was first constructed in 1904 and rebuilt in 1920. One of the unique features of this favorite location for South Carolina lakefront homes is that there are many small towns close to the lake.
The lake is 10 miles long and spans 13,400 acres. It has easy access to I-77 and typically has a wide inventory of homes available at various price points. Many homes in the area have an average price of around $550,000.
The McDowell Nature Preserve is located on the eastern side of the lake and is an excellent place to enjoy camping, wildlife observation, hiking, and fishing. It is known for its incredible views and natural beauty in any season of the year. Lake Wylie also offers plenty of local attractions throughout the year that include festivals, farmer’s markets, parades, and plenty of fine dining and eateries.
9. Lake Russell
Lake Russell is a newer lake and was only completed in 1984. It has a shoreline of 540 miles, but much of it is undeveloped. It is a beautiful place for recreation, but there are few opportunities for South Carolina lakefront homes at present. If you like an untouched wilderness, this is the place for you, and who knows, it might be an excellent opportunity for South Carolina lakefront homes for Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate investors in the future.
10. Lake Thurmond / Clark’s Hill Lake
Lake Thurmond is also known as Clark’s Hill Lake and is an impressive 71,000 acres. There are three state parks located on the South Carolina side of the lake and several others on the Georgia side. This is a favorite spot for South Carolina lakefront homes because its shoreline has an undeveloped view of the wilderness almost anywhere you look.
The lake has over 1,200 miles of shoreline, and it is 39 miles long. It should not be surprising that this is an excellent place to find affordable South Carolina lakefront homes. There are usually hundreds for sale by Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate experts, and the average price is around $270,000, which makes them affordable.
11. Santee Cooper Lakes
Santee Cooper Lakes is actually two lakes. Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie are connected by a diversion canal, and the area is known as Santee Cooper Lakes. Lake Marion is about 110,000 acres, and Lake Moultrie is about 60,000 acres. The lakes are located close to Charleston, South Carolina, and are only a short distance from the ocean.
This lake complex was completed in the 1940s and is considered a recreational paradise. People from all over the United States come to visit these lakes and its variety of environments that include whispering cypress trees and swamps. The area’s reputation as a recreational area means there are plenty of boat ramps and amenities. It is an excellent market for South Carolina lakefront homes with many choices typically on the market at any one time.
Home prices along its 512 miles of shoreline average in the $240,000 range. It is known for its big fish and has produced many record holders. Many choose this lake as their retirement home, family home, or vacation home. Homes around Lake Moultrie are more difficult to come by and are often higher priced, with some over the $1,000,000 range according to many Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate agents.
These lakes are less than an hour from the Charleston International Airport. One unique feature of this lake is that it has about 175 miles of trails, and a 33-mile section of the state’s Palmetto Trail skirts the shoreline. Management has vowed to limit development along the shoreline to about 30 percent to preserve the wildlife and natural environment.
Smaller Lakefront Home Opportunities
Now you have a good idea of some of the opportunities around the eleven largest lakes in South Carolina, but South Carolina also has plenty of smaller lakes that offer opportunities for South Carolina lakefront homes, too. Some of the smaller lakes might not have the amenities of the larger more developed areas, but they also offer a little more seclusion. Here are some of the more popular ones to begin your search with your Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate professional.
- Whitewater Lake
- Lyman Lake
- Lake William C. Bowen
- Lake Secession
- Lake Robinson
- Lake Lanier
- Lake Cunningham
- Lake Cooley
- Lake Carolina
- Lake Blalock
- Forest Lake
- Fishing Creek Lake
Now you have some ideas for places to begin your search for South Carolina lakefront homes. Lake Keowee South Carolina real estate professionals are an excellent source for finding a lakefront home that suits your lifestyle and your dreams. It is time to contact us, so we can begin exploring your many options for the future.