Devils Fork State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Devils Fork State Park is a beautiful park located in the upstate region of South Carolina, near the North Carolina border.
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Summary
The park is situated on the shores of Lake Jocassee, which is known for its crystal-clear waters, stunning waterfalls, and abundant wildlife.
There are many good reasons to visit Devils Fork State Park, including hiking, fishing, boating, and camping. The park offers over 20 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous, that lead visitors through the park's diverse landscapes, including forests, streams, and waterfalls. Fishing is also a popular activity, with Lake Jocassee being home to a variety of fish species, including trout, bass, and catfish.
One of the main points of interest in Devils Fork State Park is the park's waterfalls. The park is home to several stunning waterfalls, including Laurel Fork Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Turtleback Falls. Visitors can hike to these waterfalls, swim in the pools at the base of the falls, or simply enjoy the views from the nearby overlooks.
Another interesting fact about Devils Fork State Park is that it is home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, bobcats, and coyotes. Visitors should take precautions to avoid encounters with these animals.
The best time of year to visit Devils Fork State Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. Summer is also a popular time to visit, but the park can be crowded during this time.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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