This Secluded Lake in South Carolina Has Caribbean-clear Waters and a Submerged Ghost Town

"Built in 1973 in northwest South Carolina, this 7,500-acre reservoir pairs Caribbean-clear, cool water with an untouched, wild feel from 43,000 acres of surrounding forest, and it’s accessible to the public only via Devils Fork State Park. Fed by waterfalls and four mountain streams, it has become a go-to for divers exploring what lies beneath: the flooded Jocassee Valley, where dozens of houses, camps, and towns were covered, including the reportedly still mostly intact Attakulla Lodge and Mount Carmel Cemetery from Deliverance. Visibility typically exceeds 15 feet and can surpass 50 feet in parts of the lake, with recommended dive sites like Big Wall/Small Wall, Jenny’s Drift, and Junk, a sunken boat sitting at about 60 feet. Beyond diving, you can fish for trout (a standout here thanks to the cooler waters) along with smallmouth and largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill—just be sure to secure a South Carolina fishing license—and in summer you can swim, canoe, kayak, paddleboard, or take a boat tour for a proper introduction; just swim with caution, as there are no lifeguards or roped-off swim areas." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com.  Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines