EZ’s Ultimate Guide to Lake Greenwood SC

If waking up to sunshine dancing off the water next to your Lake Greenwood home sounds appealing, then stick around to learn more about this South Carolina town. Imagine the life you’ll have when living on the lake! Beautiful weather and a welcoming suburban town complement this dreamy town. Homes for sale on Lake Greenwood, South Carolina, range in price from $5,000 to $4.5 million. From simple cottages to the luxurious estate, there’s a waterfront home waiting to echo with your footsteps.

About Lake Greenwood SC

Welcome beautiful Lake Greenwood, a quiet escape northwest of Columbia in South Carolina’s Upstate. Near its shores are some of the Palmetto State’s best small towns to live, like Chappels, Ware Shoals, and the City of Greenwood.

Located off the Saluda and Reedy Rivers, the Greenwood, SC, area and its lake spans three counties:

• Newberry
• Laurens
• Greenwood

Greenwood County is the most notable, as it owns much of the land under and around the lake, plus the dam that creates it. Inside this beautifully rural stretch of the Upstate is the historic Town of Ninety Six, founded nearly 300 years ago in 1730. The City of Greenwood is equally historic, and a cultural center for the entire region.

A Brief History of Lake Greenwood, South Carolina

Lake Greenwood, SC, is a manmade, recreational lake with endless activities. It’s one of the lakes in South Carolina created to harness the powers of its rivers for power and water supply. Built between 1935 and 1940, the Buzzard’s Roost Dam on the Saluda River led to the quiet lake waters you see today.

The lake has multiple purposes. The water storage created by Buzzard Roost Dam powers many homes in Greenwood County and beyond. Its waters provide clean drinking water to the communities that border the lake. Locals also use it for recreation, with marinas for renting or launching boats, parks with trails, and island camping.

Lockhart Power took over management of the Buzzard’s Roost Dam and its FERC license. The dam has also been managed by Greenwood County and Duke Energy in the past.

Lake Greenwood Size

Lake Greenwood is quite large. It features 212 miles of calm coastline and stretches over 20 miles. All told it holds a total of 11,400 acres of water. Its deepest point measures a respectable depth of nearly seventy feet, with an average depth of twenty-two feet. It’s so large, the Greenwood County northeastern border is primarily the lake.

If you’re searching for Lake Greenwood homes for sale, rest easy knowing you’ll have ample choices. Never run out of room for yourself and your family to enjoy the water-based activities popular on this relaxed waterfront.

Weather in Lake Greenwood, SC

When looking at homes for sale near Greenwood city, you may be wondering how often you’ll be able to get out on the lake to fish or kayak. One of the most loved aspects of living in South Carolina is the overall mild year-round climate.

Naturally, summers are the hottest months, averaging over 83F. Those temps and heat indexes invite you to take a refreshing dip in the lake.

For those who enjoy a slight change of season, the winter season spans from the end of November to the beginning of March. In Lake Greenwood, temperatures generally fall below a high of 61F for a much-needed cool off after a sun-filled summer. That’s still balmy enough to cast a line for bass on a cool fall morning without donning gloves.

In between, enjoy a lovely spring and fall. Find yourself relishing weather perfection. The hardest choice is how to enjoy it. Will you bask in leaf peeping off your deck? Or will you spend your time boating on the water to take advantage of weather front winds? Experience the seasons on shore when you golf at nearby courses or hike one of the nature trails.

Things to Do In & Around Lake Greenwood SC

The best part of living in Greenwood is that it’s not a resort-packed venue. The City of Greenwood may pack in people for its music shows, but it retains its small-town character. You don’t need the tourist traps to have fun things to do. Boating, restaurants, fishing, camping– you name it, life around Greenwood County has it. Here’s how to stay busy after finding your dream lakefront home.

Lake Greenwood SC Boating

If you enjoy boating, there’s more than enough water to go around for any water sports you can imagine. Many Greenwood locals spend their free time on their boats, using the 11,400 acres of clean water as a boating playground. People from across South Carolina, Georgia, and other states, spend their vacations here because of all you can do.

Some popular Greenwood, SC, activities include:

• Wakeboarding
• Wakesurfing
• Waterskiing
• Windsurfing
• Fishing

Find a lively boating community among the friendly locals in the marinas and boating clubs surrounding the lake. These communities include Grand Harbor and Newport at Stoney Point.

Paddling enthusiasts will prefer the twilight hours for cruising the calm waters along the vast lake’s shoreline.

Swimming in Lake Greenwood, SC

By no means do you have to own a boat to enjoy all that this pristine location has.

To capitalize on the many benefits of your new waterfront home, you only need to jump off the dock and quickly refresh. But if you’re not directly lakefront, find swimming access at the coves along Lake Greenwood State Park. No parks along the lake have formal swimming facilities with lifeguards. You just can’t swim off boat ramps and docks or fishing piers.

Fishing in Lake Greenwood, SC

The vast size and 212 miles of shoreline make Lake Greenwood a perfect habitat for multiple fish species. Avid anglers will appreciate the quality fishing found in its many inlets and backwaters.

For the less experienced, the Fishing Tackle Loaner Program is an excellent way to get the hang of this common pastime. Try your hand at catching bass or catfish before investing in your own equipment. Whether tossing a line from the shore, the pier, or your boat, you’re all but guaranteed to reel something in.

Waterfront houses for sale in Greenwood, South Carolina, often feature special fishing spots of their own.

What Kind of Fish Are In Lake Greenwood, SC?

A variety of fish to catch in the lake include:

• Largemouth bass
• Channel catfish
• Flathead catfish
• Bluegill
• Pumpkinseed sunfish
• Black crappie
• White crappie
• Warmouth
• White perch
• Yellow perch
• Redbreast sunfish
• Redear sunfish
• Striped bass
• Chain pickerel

With so many species, it’s no wonder that this lake is home to multiple fishing competitions. The fishing adds to the desire for Lake Greenwood real estate.

Golf in Greenwood, SC

With beautiful weather and people looking to find a home to retire in Greenwood, golf has become another common activity. After all, the mild winters here cater perfectly to this outdoor activity.

For those who enjoy a fast round and affordable golf of par-3, Par-3 West is a very well-maintained, classic South Carolina course. Visit the Links At Stoney Point Golf Club for another affordable golf course. Grand Harbor’s award-winning golf course, The Patriot, was the state’s best course when it opened in 2004. Call either of these your new home course by buying into their golf communities.

True players of the game will find multitudes of beautiful golf courses to play near Lake Greenwood across the rolling Upstate hills.

Camping in Lake Greenwood, SC

Even though you might not ever want to leave your waterfront home, there are a ton of incredible local campsites to spend a night under the stars.

Primitive tent campers and RV camping alike is around Lake Greenwood. Its camping provides excellent escapes into nature. We suggest Lake Greenwood State Park for camping, but that’s one of many other great spots, Other places to check out are:

• All Seasons Family Campground
• Mansfield Park
• Bg’s Campground
• Moon Landing RV Park & Marina
• Four Seasons Resort & Marina

Hiking in Lake Greenwood, SC

Hiking in Greenwood is super mellow and easy, a perfect means to get outside and soak up some fresh air.

The most popular trail at Lake Greenwood State Park is a small 0.8-mile loop with views of the water. The easy length is great for kids, a fast trail run, or a leisurely stroll.

For those who seek a little more adventure, the 4.4-mile scenic shoreline trail loop near Ninety-Six is up your alley. Longer trails are also in the nearby Sumter Forest and Grace Street Park.

Restaurants Near Greenwood SC

Lake Greenwood is famous for delicious food with a breathtaking water views. If you’ve done enough grilling on your dock for the week or need a nice place to go out try these favorite restaurants on Lake Greenwood, SC:

• Break on the Lake
• Harris Landing
• Skippers On Lake Greenwood
• Bermudas At Stoney Point

And that’s just the waterfront selection! There’s a whole world of dining in nearby Ninety-Six and in Uptown Greenwood. Have a blast meandering the historic streets and getting to know the town.

Bird Watching

Grab your binoculars because Lake Greenwood (specifically the state park) is home to some bird spotting.

Bird watching is increasingly popular within this area. It seems pretty clear why, considering hundreds of birds live and migrate around the lake.

See a list of bird species near the lake. Imagine coffee on the porch as the sun rises over the lake, spotting ducks, geese, and herons fishing on the shallow shoreline.

Lake Greenwood Waterpark

There might not be much for waterparks, but how about a jungle float?!

Keep the kids busy for a day with the Lake Greenwood Jungle Float. This mobile waterpark on the water features Tarzan swings, trampolines, waterslides, and more. Let it come to you and your waterfront home for hours of smiles under the South Carolina sun.

Other Greenwood, SC, Activities and Attractions

There is more exciting stuff to do in the City of Greenwood, SC, that awaits discovery. Stay current on all sorts of activities and attractions that the charming town hosts. Uptown Greenwood is a Main Street America community. Its classic downtown has restaurants, live music, and community festivals that draw in the locals and visitors for time well spent.

Events like the South Carolina Festival of Flowers, the South Carolina Festival of Discovery, and the Catfish Festival are a few of the many family-friendly happenings in Greenwood County. It’s one of the perks of living between the Midlands and the Upstate!

As for the permanent attractions, may we suggest a visit to the Ninety Six National Historic Site, which highlights the area’s pioneer-era history. The Dr. Benjamin Mays Historic Site preserves the legacy of a Civil Rights pioneer and advisor to three presidents. Other top attractions around Greenwood County are the Emerald Farms farm and the Museum and Railroad Historical Center. This part of South Carolina has a rich history dating back to the American Revolution. Learn about it and how its shaped Greenwood city and beyond.

Common Lake Greenwood Questions

Is Lake Greenwood, SC, Clean?

Fed by two major rivers, Lake Greenwood is extremely clean and thus a safe, great place to swim and enjoy the water.

Does Lake Greenwood Have Alligators?

It might be a freshwater lake, but it isn’t a swamp! Lake Greenwood has an alligator-free, clean swimming environment. Alligator sightings are infrequent at best, so families can enjoy the water with fewer worries.

Homes and Land in Lake Greenwood SC

Properties around the City of Greenwood are in high demand. With all the recreation, tight-knit community, and other outstanding accommodations, it’s clear why this is a prized place to live in South Carolina.

Prices in Greenwood County generally started in 2024 at $153,000 for townhomes and $60,000 for houses. The county posted an average home listing price of about $256,000 in May 2024. Consider the benefits of homes near Lake Greenwood. Some homes even come with boat slip docks.

Pair it with a low cost of living and free outdoor activities, and it’s easy to see why the lake life is so high quality. This destination is a haven for families and retirees alike.

Browse current listings of Greenwood County homes.  Even better: work with a local real estate expert and see why this location is the perfect place to find a waterfront home.

Updated July 2024