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Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

8.8

Excellent

4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 9

Popular amenities

Outdoor space

Barbecue grill

Washer

Kitchen

Air conditioning

Fireplace

Explore the area

Salem, SC

Lake Jocassee19 min walk
Whitewater Falls11 min drive
Devils Fork State Park42 min drive
Greenville, SC (GSP-Greenville-Spartanburg Intl.)96 min drive

Most relevant reviews

8/10 Good

I wanted to write a review and say that This lake is one of the best in the United States. The waterfalls, jumping rocks...

Rachel F.

Jul 28, 2023

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

1 King Bed

1 Double Bed

Main Level Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Main Level Bedroom 2

3 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Balcony

Separate dining area

Dining Area

About this property

Welcome to Black Bear Lodge at beautiful Lake Jocassee!

This charming 4 bedroom home with amazing views of the lake has plenty of space for your group to spread out, this home is the perfect place to relax and unplug! Lake Jocassee in the upcountry of South Carolina is known for its undeveloped shoreline and clean water. The lake is bordered by glorious green forests and offers refreshing outdoor pursuits that you can enjoy all summer long. No matter how hot it gets, you can beat the heat in the clear, cool lake.Sitting high in the trees, Black Bear Lodge has an incredible views of the lake. The walk down the stairs to the lake is a hike but is more than worth it. Along the way there are is a bench, a hammock and places to rest and enjoy the natural surroundings. The home boasts a private dock with multiple areas to relax on the water. The large kitchen has lots of workspace for cooking a meal for your friends and family. The large dining area and living room create an open space for everyone to be together, eat meals, relax and take in the view together.PLEASE NOTE: There is NO Wifi available at this home.
NO PARTIES
MUST BE 25 TO RENT

Property manager

Clemson Vacation Rentals

Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

Mountain view

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 21

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Salem

Located in Salem, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Silver Run Falls Trailhead and Sapphire National Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Cashiers Farmers Market and Ultimate Action Sports. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Salem, SC

What's nearby

Lake Jocassee - 19 min walk
Whitewater Falls - 11 min drive
Gorges State Park - 33 min drive
Devils Fork State Park - 42 min drive
Lake Keowee - 45 min drive

Getting around

Greenville, SC (GSP-Greenville-Spartanburg Intl.) - 97 min drive

Restaurants

‪Jocassee Valley Brewing Company - ‬30 min drive
‪The Cliff's Lakehouse Restaurant - ‬51 min drive
‪Krispy Krunchy Chicken - ‬29 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Welcome to Black Bear Lodge at beautiful Lake Jocassee! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Welcome to Black Bear Lodge at beautiful Lake Jocassee!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Welcome to Black Bear Lodge at beautiful Lake Jocassee!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Welcome to Black Bear Lodge at beautiful Lake Jocassee! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 1 mi (1.6 km) from Lake Jocassee and within 6 miles (10 km) of Nantahala National Forest and Whitewater Falls. Chattooga River and Whisper Lake are also within 12 miles (20 km).

8.8

Excellent

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

8.6/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Check-in

9.0/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

8/10 Good

Rachel F.

28 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great cabin…but be sure you understand it’s rustic and the dock is in bad need of repair

I wanted to write a review and say that This lake is one of the best in the United States. The waterfalls, jumping rocks, islands and cove beaches are hard to beat. And Jocassee only has 60 homes on it, most of which aren’t rentals. The rest of it is state parks. So you have to go into your stay at this lodge understanding that the HIKE to the bottom is tough for someone older (possibly impossible) or not in shape/disabled. I would NOT recommend this with small kids- I would have cried if I had kids I had to carry. And there’s no way to get down to the lake any other way. We rented a boat for 4 days and the dock is minimal, VERY old but gets the job done (we prayed the post didn’t snap and our boat float off). I feel like the property advertises what it is well and that is all you can ask for. And the communication with the property manager was wonderful. If you go into this wanting a wiFi free week, no restaurants or groceries nearby, and are ok with a hike (that has motivational signs-which we loved) then you’ll love it. But this is rustic, very very rustic. Also the lake views are minimal behind trees. None of which is anything more than just the way that Jocassee is. The house itself is a cabin/lodge, which is how it’s advertised. So no complaints there from us.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

sapna h.

6 June 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Dr

Lake Jocassee is incredible. The linens and towels were clean and new. Access to the dock was treacherous. The number of stairs is not the problem. The stairs are breaking down with multiple sites of yellow jacket nests. Needs regular pest control. 3 of our guests separate times got stung when using the stairs. The dock boards are rotting with holes, needs complete demo. There are no cleats to secure your boat. Serious liability with stair and dock rot. This property is a diamond in the rough but needs attention and investment. The property management team were timely in response and kind. They remedied running water issues quickly even with remote location. The neighbor to this property, the HOA president. helped us out with trailer issues and is a class act.

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer W.

25 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Family Get Away

We enjoyed the beautiful fall get away. We enjoyed hiking, boating, and relaxing in the comfortable setting.

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

EV B., Charleston

3 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Weekend!

Place was perfect for a girls trip. Property manager was wonderful and very quick to respond to our questions. Thank you for a great trip!

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Courtney G.

26 Sept 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing views. This place was perfect for our group.

Peaceful getaway

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

4/10 Poor

Lindsay M.

2 Aug 2022

Disliked: Listing accuracy

Not as advertised - NEEDS RENOVATIONS

This property is not as advertised - the back porch has a number of extremely loose boards - not safe or up to code. Property owner was made aware and states that the property boards are checked with each visit yet the boards were in terrible shape upon our arrival. The power went out in the kitchen / eating area that included the inability to use the washing machine, dishwasher, etc. This power outage lasted 1-day of our stay yet the property owner offered no concession for this. The amount we paid to stay does not match what the property offers.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

14 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and quiet

Definitely rent a boat to keep at dock but was an amazing week of fun thrilled adventures. House was great, beds were fabulous and we stayed cool. No complaints here. Must stay sometime

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sara B.

28 June 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We WILL be coming back!

As you know looking for a house on lake Jocassee the rentals are limited. We chose this house and I’m so happy we did. If you can get over the amount of steps there are getting down to the dock nothing else about this place will disappoint you. We knew coming here we were not going to be leaving the property besides getting on our boat and going on the lake. The house was SUPER clean and comfortable. The house is dated, but it’s a cabin the mountains and it gives you that true mountain cabin feel. If you’re bringing a boat with you, go ahead and launch it at Devils Fork State Park before heading to the house and drop your trailer at the trailer parking spot they have available in the neighborhood, trying to get a trailer in the cabins driveway is difficult. If you’re bringing a boat, bring some gas cans with you, there is no where to fill up with gas on the lake. We will be booking again for next summer. Jill was very helpful and answered our questions quickly!

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shannon W.

12 June 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Resting with adult children

Rare find, actually having a private dock on Jocassee. There are a LOT of steps to it from the house but so nicely planned with landings to stop on. My husband had knee replacement 6 months ago and was fine. Comfortable bedding and plenty of room for privacy for a family with all adults. But there would have been space for little ones if we’d had them. I received quick responses to all questions to the owner. Definitely recommend this rental and owner

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Robert P.

30 May 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy

The cabin was 'as advertised'. However...

The cabin was 'as advertised'. However bring all your supplies, it is a trek to get anything you'll need.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dean B.

12 Apr 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spring break getaway

We booked the property for an early spring vacation and our annual trip to the Clemson spring game. The home had everything we needed and the layout really complemented our family. The host provided thorough details and directions from check in to departure making the stay simple and relaxing. We really enjoyed our stay and would highly recommend this property for a lake/mountain trip.

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

2/10 Terrible

Eleanor B.

27 Mar 2022

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Not at all what was listed

I use Vrbo about twice a year. Used it last month in Pigeon Forge TN. I have never given a bad review but this Property and listing needs to be evaluated. One it is miss leading by pics it looks like the house is actually on the water. It has 169 steps to even getting to the water. By listing it looks like dock is there and boat ramp near by. It’s actually close to and hour away. I booked weekend for my son 24 and daughter 12 for a birthday weekend because both love to fish and it was on water. We pulled a boat almost 4 hours to no boat ramp. There’s no yard for parking and I have never been to a Vrbo spot they had paint cans, ladders and just so unkept. The house is so dimly lite and several of the of the fixtures didn’t even have light bulbs in them. This is probably one of the most expensive nights per stay I have spent to be the most disappointing. Trash cans under the porch and contruction looked to be going on. And there’s a really creepy in safe play ground on the site. I usually never give a bad review but I certainly hope no other family goes to stay here expecting it to look anything like the description or pictures. I took photos of everything mention and would be happy to forward them to you.

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

6/10 Okay

John K.

2 Dec 2021

Liked: Location

Disliked: Communication

Great location, but...

It's in a great location for a lake vacation, but the house and property are in need of maintenance. We had to spend 2 days troubleshooting why the heat did not work. The host said that they could not send someone to look at it until after our stay was over, and she stopped responding to our concerns. Agree with other reviews about the significant amount of wood rot on the stairs leading down to the lake.

Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021

8/10 Good

NIVIA W.

6 Sept 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Labor weekend away!

We had a nice time, the lake is beautiful and very clean! The house is clean and confortable! I recommend this property for fit or in good shape! If you want to go swimming and do things at the lake ! Is a lot of steps to walk up , was not a problem for us but can be challenging for someone not use to walk! We cooked at the house everyday, the charcoal grill work perfect!

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Laura Y.

20 Aug 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Location

The best part of this rental is the property manager Jill. There were a few hiccups but Jill went above and beyond to make sure it was resolved and we could still enjoy our visit. Our Pros and Cons: Pro - Proximity to beautiful Lake Jocassee Con - 176 steps from house to dock Pro - Beautiful location Con - Very remote, take everything you need, you’re not close to grocery stores, etc. Pro- Plenty of room for big families. Our group had 6 adults and 3 children with room to spare. Con - We were only there for the weekend. I wish we could’ve stayed longer! Again, many thanks to Jill! She’s an awesome property manager.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Tim A.

8 Aug 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great week at beautiful lake Jocassee

The cabin was very nice. The property manager was very quick to respond to any needs we had.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Marcus T., Charleston

25 July 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Epic

Amazing weekend at Jocassee! Jill was incredible to book with and even better having the boat at the dock was incredible.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Kristy W.

23 July 2021

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Black Bear Lodge

House is nicely located on the Lake. Inside was fine.. Outside is where they need to put some attention. Rocking chairs are falling apart and the deck is nasty. Needs to be pressure washed badly. A lot of rotten wood. Overall our family had a great time here and we got visited by bears !

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Andrew S., Springfield, Virginia

23 July 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great experience

Great cabin, unbelievably beautiful lake, property manager was helpful; we would stay here again.

Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brandi K.

25 June 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great trip, awesome views and wildlife

Fantastic trip with friends. Very clean, beautiful scenery and even had a bear encounter at the back door while eating dinner..... so cute!!

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Maria D.

17 June 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful spot

We had and amazing time at this beautiful lake and Jill was always ready to help us. The spot is perfect, close to everything, so many natural attractions. The only thing I will change is to update the kitchen cups, glasses and cutlery. There were missing pans too. But all the rest perfect and the water of the lake so clear!! We love it!

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Donavon C.

3 June 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Black Bear Lodge

Jill made the stay easy and the place was like a dream.Lake Jocassee is beautiful and this is the best place that I have stayed in for sure.Worth every penny!!!

Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mathias W.

17 Mar 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great experience by the lake

Fairly remote place where you can enjoy great views of Lake Jocasse. Take your kayak with you and you can go directly to the waterfalls!

10/10 Excellent

Steve R.

16 Jan 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lake cabin treehouse

Excellent and responsive properly management communication and support. Jill was very nice, professional and helpful. Pretty wooded location. Perfect house for watching sunrise over the lake and taking a paddle to several beautiful waterfalls. The lake is very clear and we would have loved swimming except we went in December. We rented a pontoon boat and explored this VERY picturesque lake that way as well. This is one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever stayed on - almost no development on it for nearly all of it. Be aware that this house has over 170 steps down a fairly old and slightly irregular staircase to reach the lake and dock. If you are willing and fit, this won’t be a problem otherwise you may want to factor this in. We carried our kayaks down to the dock and also used the canoe provided and were fine. To get our kayaks back to our car at the end of our stay we opted to paddle a couple of miles to the Devil’s Fork boat ramp and load up there rather than carry them back up the stairs. The house was very clean and stocked with standard supplies. The beds are very good quality and comfortable. . No WiFi and only spotty sometimes 2 bars of cell reception so you can get texts, emails and calls but you won’t be doing much else online.

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2020