Crystal-clear, mountain-fed, and framed by emerald hardwoods, Lake Keowee is South Carolina’s shimmering playground. Whether you’re a weekend visitor or a full-time local, there’s no better time than summer to dive into the wide range of Lake Keowee water activities that turn this 18,500-acre reservoir into an aquatic wonderland. Below are ten crowd-pleasing ways to make the most of your days on—and in—the lake, ranked not by popularity but by how big your grin will be afterward.
1. Captain Your Own Cruise: Boating
Few pastimes beat the freedom of boating on Lake Keowee. Pontoon rentals from Keowee Marina or sleek bowriders from The Cliffs let you meander through quiet coves or open the throttle across mirror-flat main channels. Pack a cooler, playlist, and sunscreen, then plot a course to the waterfall near Fall Creek or anchor off Jumping Rock for a mid-lake swim.
2. Carve Glass: Water-Skiing & Wakeboarding
Lake Keowee’s moderate boat traffic and typically calm mornings create glassy conditions perfect for skiers and wakeboarders. Launch at South Cove County Park before sunrise, drop a ski just offshore, and trace wide-arc slalom turns that slice the rising mist. Wakeboarders can take advantage of ballast-ready surf boats available for rent at several outfitters.
3. Hold On Tight: Tubing
Looking for laughter you can hear all the way back to shore? Hook a tube to the tow rope and hang on. Tubing is easy for first-timers yet thrilling enough for adrenaline junkies—especially when the driver throws in a whip at 20 mph. Choose flatter water inside coves north of Mile Creek Landing for a smoother (but still splashy) ride.
4. Glide and Gaze: Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarding is the most meditative of all Lake Keowee water activities. From the vantage of a board you can peer straight through the lake’s famously clear water, spotting granite shelves, schools of bream, and maybe even a curious turtle. Early evenings are ideal—the sun leans low, the wind relaxes, and the water takes on a sunset shimmer.
5. Explore by Muscle Power: Lake Keowee kayaking
A sit-on-top kayak is your ticket to secret shoreline treasures. Put in at Keowee Marina, hug the right bank, and within minutes you’ll slip into finger like inlets lined with scenic views. Listen for birds rattling overhead and keep an eye out for turtles slipping from bank to water. For a longer adventure, paddle six miles up the Little River arm where bald eagles nest on high snags.
6. Cast & Catch: Fishing
Bass anglers whisper that Keowee’s deep, clear water grows fat spotted bass all summer. Frequent Lake Keowee fishing spots include the submerged timber near Mile Marker 5 and the drop-offs around Cane Creek. Early-morning topwater plugs draw vicious strikes; by midday, finesse worms along rock piles yield steady action. Catfish lurk near the dam’s nighttime lights, while winter-stocked trout linger in cooler tributaries.
7. Take a Dip: Swimming
Keowee is known for some of the cleanest swimming water in the Southeast thanks to its role as Duke Energy’s cooling reservoir. Designated swim beaches at South Cove Park and High Falls Park slope gradually, making them family-friendly. Floating noodles optional—but highly recommended.
8. Chase the Golden Glow: Lake Keowee sunset cruise
When the sky blazes pink and orange, trade horsepower for happy-hour speed. Book a guided pontoon from The Cliffs or pilot your own deck boat westward toward the Blue Ridge backdrop. As the sun kisses the ridgeline, the lake mirrors molten gold—an Instagram dream with zero filters needed. Bring a light jacket; post-sunset breezes feel cooler than you’d expect.
9. Meet the Locals: Wildlife Spotting
More than 100 bird species frequent Keowee’s shores. Cruise slowly along forested stretches to spy great blue herons stalking shallows, osprey plunging for shad, and, if fortune smiles, an eagle cartwheeling sky-to-water. Early July mornings also reveal white-tailed deer tip-toeing to drink and muskrats rippling across coves.
10. Feast Afloat: Lakeside Picnicking
Sometimes the simplest pleasures win the day. Load sandwiches and sweet tea into a cooler, motor to a quiet island near Crowe Creek, and let the anchor kiss the sand. Swim, sunbathe, or skip stones until appetite calls—then dig in with panoramic views as your dining backdrop. Leave no trace but footprints in the sand.
Tips for Planning Your Perfect Keowee Day
• Start early for smooth water; afternoon breezes and boat traffic pick up after 11 a.m.
• Mind the weather. Thunderstorms build quickly in the Carolina summer. Check local radar before launching.
• Secure permits. Boats over 15 hp require South Carolina registration. Anglers over 16 need a state fishing license.
• Rent ahead. Weekend slots for pontoons, boards, and kayaks sell out fast at Keowee Marina and The Cliffs Marina—reserve at least a week in advance.
• Pack smart. Reusable water bottles, UPF clothing, and dry bags are your friends. Cell coverage is solid across most of the lake, but a physical map helps with cove names and hazard markers.
Make This Summer Legendary
With its dazzling clarity, uncrowded expanses, and menu of activities that range from high-octane to utterly tranquil, Lake Keowee invites you to write your own aquatic story. Whether you’re skimming glass on a slalom ski, savouring a still-water paddle at dawn, or clinking glasses on a sunset cruise, these ten experiences guarantee memories that linger long after the tan lines fade. So launch that kayak, crank the outboard, or simply dip a toe—Lake Keowee is calling, and adventure is only a splash away.
Why Keowee Marina Is Your One-Stop Hub for Lake Keowee Water Adventures
Keowee Marina isn’t just a place to launch a boat—it’s the engine that powers every item on your summer bucket list. Their rental fleet covers the spectrum from roomy pontoons and tritoons (fuel is already in the price, so no surprise surcharges) to canoes, paddleboards, single and tandem kayaks—perfect for everything from spirited tubing runs to quiet sunrise paddles. Keowee Marina
Beyond craft and gear, the marina wraps you in convenience. A fully stocked ship store loads you up with snacks, tackle, and sunscreen, while on-site public launch ramps, a staffed fuel dock, and an eco-friendly pump-out station make getting on the water—and staying out there—effortless. If you fall in love with the lake (you will), slip rentals, dry storage, and full mechanical service keep your own boat ready for action year-round.
Need a longer escape? Keowee Marina’s luxury cottages and houseboat rentals turn day trips into mini-vacations, and its Seneca location—five minutes from downtown and just seven miles from Clemson University—means dining, shopping, and game-day fun are always close at hand.
With more than forty years under its keel, Lake Keowee’s largest full-service marina matches deep local know-how with genuine, boat-loving hospitality. Their motto is simple: handle every detail so you can focus on the joy of Lake Keowee water activities. Reserve your boat, slip, or lakeside stay at KeoweeMarina.com, then show up ready to make waves—or to drift, rod in hand, beneath a Clemson-orange sunset. Adventure is waiting at the dock.