WWingAwayWEEKENDSFly to lunchDestination prototype 20
South Carolina · Couples · Two nights

Lake Keowee & Jocassee

Clear water and waterfalls you reach by boat.

In South Carolina’s Upstate, two linked lakes sit at the foot of the Blue Ridge. Lake Keowee is broad and sunny, with lakeside restaurants. Lake Jocassee, above it, is deep, clear and blue-green, ringed by protected forest, with waterfalls tumbling straight into the lake. Rent a boat, find a waterfall and slow right down.

Mountain lakesWaterfalls by boatHiking
See the weekend itineraryFlight & arrival details
Morning mist over Lake Keowee in fall, with a boathouse and docks below a wooded shore
Morning mist on Lake Keowee
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KCEU
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~205 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~1 hr 37 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car + boat

Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.

01 / Aviation & getting around

Land at Clemson.

KCEU, Oconee County Regional, sits beside Lake Hartwell near Clemson, about 20 minutes from Lake Keowee and 40 from Lake Jocassee.

The FBO

Oconee County Regional Airport

Clemson · Titan fuel, self-serve and full-serve

864-882-2959

The county FBO lists a crew car, and Hertz and Enterprise rent cars at the airport six days a week; reserve ahead. Ask about two-night parking and fees. On Clemson football weekends the area fills up. No live fuel price is shown.

The Blue Ridge escarpment rises to the north. Review terrain, the sectional and current NOTAMs, and watch for afternoon mountain storms in summer.

02 / Where to stay

Stay on the water if you can.

This is lake-house country rather than resort country. Rates and availability need travel dates.

Private · Lakefront

Lake Keowee vacation rentals

The best stay here is a lake house with its own dock, many with hot tubs and screened porches. Book early for summer and fall weekends.

03 / Where to eat

Lakeside and relaxed.

Dining is casual. Reserve on weekends, especially during Clemson football season.

Friday dinner · Lake views

The Lighthouse Restaurant

Lake Keowee’s best-known restaurant, with a second-floor dining room and panoramic lake and mountain views. Go for sunset.

Website & map for The Lighthouse Restaurant
04 / Things to do

Waterfalls, boats and big views.

Lake Jocassee is the highlight. Plan one full day on the water.

01

A waterfall boat tour on Lake Jocassee

Guided pontoon tours from Devils Fork State Park visit waterfalls that drop straight into the lake, with stops to swim in summer. Book ahead; tours fill on weekends.

02

Rent a pontoon or kayaks

Rental companies deliver pontoons, canoes and kayaks to the Devils Fork dock. The water is famously clear and cold.

03

Whitewater Falls

Among the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States, just over the North Carolina line, about 45 minutes away. A short paved walk to the overlook.

04

Table Rock State Park

A granite mountain with a demanding trail to the top and wide views of the lakes and the Upstate. Allow most of a day for the summit.

05

Clemson

The South Carolina Botanical Garden and the university campus make an easy morning near the airport.

05 / What’s happening

Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.

This prototype links to the county visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.

Late spring–summer

Lake season

Warm days and swimming at the waterfalls. Weekends at Devils Fork are busy; arrive early.

Fall

Clemson football

Home game weekends fill every hotel and restaurant for miles. Great fun, or a reason to choose another weekend.

October–early November

Fall color

The forests around Jocassee turn gold. Cool, clear and beautiful from the water.

Concerts, festivals & local happenings

Check the county calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.

Browse Oconee County events
06 / Suggested itinerary

Friday in. Sunday home.

A sample Friday–Sunday weekend: a sunset dinner, a day on Jocassee and a waterfall. No bookings or availability confirmed.

FRI

Arrive & unwind

  1. Late-morning arrival

    Land at KCEU, subject to weather and your actual flight plan, and pick up the rental car.

  2. Afternoon

    Check in on Lake Keowee and get down to the dock.

  3. Evening

    Sunset dinner at The Lighthouse.

SAT

Lake Jocassee

  1. Morning

    A waterfall boat tour, or your own pontoon from Devils Fork.

  2. Afternoon

    A swim and a picnic by the falls, then a slow cruise back.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Copper River Grill.

SUN

An easy departure

  1. Morning

    A short drive to Whitewater Falls.

  2. Before leaving

    Return the car and allow time at the FBO.

  3. Fly home

    Let weather and your flight plan set the departure.

07 / Good to know

Keep the weekend easy to change.

These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.

Book in this order

Lodging and the rental car first, then a boat tour or rental.

Football weekends

Clemson home games fill the area. Check the schedule before booking.

Cold water

Jocassee stays cold and deep even in summer. Swim with care.

Dates come next

Rates, tours and restaurant hours are date-dependent. No availability or live price is implied here.

Testing / Destination 20

Draft for review.

Research-based selections, not personal-visit endorsements. Researched November 1, 2026. Several picks have no website link because official addresses could not be confirmed; check each one, and confirm hours, prices and availability directly before booking.

WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.