While the rest of the leaf hounds are stuck in traffic jams on winding two-lane mountain roads in Georgia and North Carolina, consider heading to these lesser-known locations in Tennessee and South Carolina to take in the blazing colors of autumn from a lake.
Lake Jocassee, S.C.
Tucked away in the Cherokee Foothills of South Carolina’s northwest corner, Lake Jocassee sits just beneath the Blue Ridge Escarpment providing a pristine view of mountains carpeted by the Sumter National Forest. The shoreline is undisturbed by development, making it a nice spot to see fall color without the crowds and traffic that plague the mountains of north Georgia and western North Carolina during peak season each October. The best way to experience Jocassee is from a boat, but bring your hiking shoes, too, as many scenic footpaths and hiking trails are accessible around the lake. If you see more than a few boats at a time while out on the water, consider that a crowded day on Lake Jocassee. And don’t be surprised if some of those boats are sporting diver down flags — Lake Jocassee is a popular spot with scuba divers, who come to explore the deep, clear waters of this man-made reservoir in the Jocassee Gorges section of the southern Appalachians.
Boat rental companies are available nearby, including Jocassee-Keowee Rentals and the Jocassee Outdoor Center, who will bring a boat to meet you at the lake’s only public boat ramp inside Devils Fork State Park. Get started early, because only a certain number of boats are allowed on the water each day, part of what makes Jocassee special — that, and the waterfalls. Jocassee is fed by three rivers and many streams falling over the ridge line, the result being waterfalls aplenty plunging and cascading into the lake. Finding a secluded cove isn’t difficult, many accentuated by splashing waterfalls where you can drop anchor in range of the mist. In the northeastern section of the lake, near the North Carolina line, you’ll find the spectacular 80-foot cascading Laurel Fork Falls. Pull the boat into the lower section of the falls and scramble up the rocks to see the middle and upper sections. Or, for an easier route, tie off the boat at the mouth of the cove and take the well-marked Foothills Trail about a mile to the Upper Falls overlook.
If you go
Lake Jocassee is 138 miles from downtown Atlanta via I-85 and the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (take the first exit over the S.C. line).
Stay
Devils Fork State Park. Located on the lake, this park has fully-furnished villas with heat/AC, full kitchens and bathrooms. Villas require a two-night minimum stay. The park also has two campgrounds that can accommodate tent campers, trailers and RVs. Rates start at $125 for villas, $18 for campsites. 161 Holcombe Circle, Salem. 864-944-2639, southcarolinaparks.com/devilsfork.
Eat
Dakota Grill. Roadside steakhouse three miles west of Wahalla, worth making the short drive from Lake Jocassee for the high quality food and service. Entrees start at $14.95. 2911 Highlands Highway, Walhalla. 864-718-0553, www.dakotagrillsc.com.
Visitor info
Mountain Lakes CVB Visitors Center. 105 W. South Broad St., Walhalla. 877-685-2537, www.scmountainlakes.com.
Norris Lake, Tenn.
A half-hour north of Knoxville, Norris Lake is cradled by Appalachian ridges and has a whole lot of history to go along with its scenery. Norris Dam State Park is the place to go for fall color as much of the land around this portion of the lake is protected by the state park, the Tennessee Valley Authority and a wildlife management area. Miles of hiking trails take visitors deep into the forest and along the shore of the lake. A full-service marina at the state park offers boat rentals, or you can bring your own. Overnight cabin guests at the park can launch for free from the boat ramp at the marina.
History buffs will be fascinated by the grounds of the Lenoir Museum Cultural Complex, which contains a museum filled with artifacts and exhibits on early pioneer life in the Appalachians, a 19th century threshing barn and a still-operational 18th century grist mill with a spinning water wheel. Norris Dam was the first major project of the Tennessee Valley Authority, which was created in 1933 when President Roosevelt signed the TVA act. In 1934, FDR visited the site to witness construction of the dam and give a pep talk to the workers. The land around the dam became a state park in 1953, with a major expansion occurring in the 1970s.
In October the state park is offering fall color cruises aboard its pontoon boat, Eleanor. These popular ranger-guided one-hour cruises depart from the marina four times daily between Oct.13 and 28. Call the park office at 865-426-7461 to make reservations.
If you go
Norris Lake is 235 miles north of Atlanta on I-75. Exits 122 and 128 to U.S. Hwy. 441 will lead you to Norris Dam State Park.
Stay
Norris Dam State Park. The park has modern and rustic cabins. The rustic cabins were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s in the older eastern section of the park; the modern cabins are located in the newer western section a bit further from the lake and the marina. Rates start at $60 for rustic cabins, $90 for modern cabins. Two campgrounds are in the park with sites for tent, trailer and RV camping. Rates start at $18. 125 Village Green Circle, Lake City. 865-426-7461, www.tn.gov/environment/parks/NorrisDam.
Eat
Rickard Ridge. Restaurant with a nice view of the lake and the mountains around Caryville, six miles north of Lake City. Barbecue, catfish, steak and chicken platters and sandwiches. Platters start at $8.99, sandwiches $5.99. 131 Goose Lane, Caryville. 423-907-8202, www.rickardridgebbq.com.
Visitor info
Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. 800-462-8366,
www.tnvacation.com.
Anderson County Tourism Council. 115 Welcome Lane, Clinton. 800-524-3602, www.yallcome.org.
About the Author
