Lake Jocassee is another man-made beauty proving natural isn’t always best. This reservoir was created in 1973 and is fed by cool, clear water flowing from Appalachian mountain rivers. The shores are largely undeveloped, with tucked-away coves, rocky outcrops, and waterfalls.

Jocassee literally means 'place of the lost one' in Cherokee, which only adds to the romance of this beautiful spot. The 7,500-acre reservoir plunges to a maximum depth of around 300 feet and has a smattering of small islets.

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America's loveliest lakes, revealed