National park · United States
Devils Fork State ParkVườn quốc gia Devils Fork
Spend a day at Devils Fork State Park: drive in, pay the $5 entry fee, hike the 2 mi Falls Trail before noon, then boat on Lake Jocassee; for a weekend, camp at the lakeside sites ($20‑$22/night) or stay in park villas ($175/night). Visit spring‑fall for cooler weather and fewer crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
30 km² (12 sq mi)12 sq mi (30 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Mar–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 30 km² (12 sq mi)12 sq mi (30 km²)
- Park covers about 30 km² of forest and lake shoreline (official source gives 30 km²).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Mar–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Devils Fork State Park protects Lake Jocassee’s deep, clear waters and surrounding Appalachian forest, offering waterfall hikes, water‑sports, and lakeside camping.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
30 km² (12 sq mi)12 sq mi (30 km²) · national park since 1970
Park covers about 30 km² of forest and lake shoreline (official source gives 30 km²).
Why go
- Lake Jocassee’s deep, clear water and surrounding waterfalls.
- Hiking the Falls Trail gives close views of Wrights Creek, Mills Creek and Devils Hole falls.
- Camping on the lake’s shore with electric sites and boat‑in backcountry spots.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, low crowds
- FebCool, occasional rain
- MarMild, waterfalls strong
- AprPleasant temps, full waterfalls
- MayWarm, good for water sports
- JunHot, mosquitoes increase
- JulHot, occasional thunderstorms
- AugHot, high humidity
- SepCooling, still good water levels
- OctCool, foliage colors
- NovCool, fewer bugs
- DecCool, occasional frost
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oconee Bell (rare wildflower)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| White‑tailed deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Charlotte, NC
I‑85 S → I‑26 W → SC‑11 → S‑37‑127 to park entrance.
3–4 h
From Columbia, SC
US‑76 W → SC‑11 → S‑37‑127.
2–2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park headquarters | Entrance gate, visitor centre, trailheads, boat ramp. | Open daily; entry fee required. |
| Lakeside campground | 59 electric sites, restrooms, showers. | Reservation required. |
| Tent‑only area | 25 rustic pads, fire rings, picnic tables. | First‑come, first‑served. |
| Backcountry boat‑in zone | Pads on northern shore, accessed by boat. | Reservation via phone. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for navigation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | US$5 | person | Day‑use fee at the gate (check). |
| Lake boat rental | US$15–30 | hour | Depends on boat type (check). |
| Campsite (electric) | US$20–22 | site/night | Includes water and electricity. |
| Tent‑only site | US$16 | site/night | — |
| Backcountry boat‑in pad | US$18–38 | pad/night | Single‑, double‑, triple‑pad rates. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camping reservation permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$5
- US$15–30
- US$20–22
- US$16
- US$18–38
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on South Carolina State Parks – Devils Fork before you go.
Park rules
- Alcohol
- No alcoholic beverages in campground or picnic areas.
- Pets
- Pets allowed in cabins and campgrounds; must be leashed.
- Fire
- Only use provided fire rings; no open fires.
- Boating
- Boat‑in backcountry sites require reservation; follow safety guidelines.
- Camping
- Backcountry camping only by boat; all waste must be packed out.
Where to stay
In the park
Villas at Devils Fork State Park
Two‑night minimum cabins; $175/night; Wi‑Fi, fire‑pit.
Near the park
Maplecrest at Lake Jocassee
Cottage 1 mi away; $175/night; pet‑friendly.
In the park
Lakeside campground
Electric sites $20‑$22/night; tent‑only area $16/night.
Safety
Heat medium
Boat safety low
Mosquitoes low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Headquarters and campground reachable by car with short walks.
- Falls Trail has moderate grade; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on designated trails and campsites to protect Oconee Bell habitat.
- Use refillable water bottles; pack out all trash.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Devils Fork State Park?
The day‑use entry fee is $5 per person; camping and boat rentals have separate charges.
What are the best hikes in Devils Fork State Park?
The Falls Trail (2 mi round‑trip) to Wrights Creek, Mills Creek and Devils Hole falls is the most popular; longer backcountry routes require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Devils Fork State Park?
Spring (Mar‑May) and fall (Sep‑Nov) offer mild temperatures and strong waterfall flow, while summer can be hot and buggy.
Can I bring a pet to the park?
Pets are allowed in cabins and campgrounds if leashed; they are not permitted on backcountry boat‑in sites.
Do I need a reservation for camping?
Yes; campsites must be booked online or by phone at least one day in advance, with a minimum stay of two nights.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go