A vacation in the mountains can mean many things to different people. Whether you want to camp under the stars or luxuriate in a lodge, Salem has the right accommodations to suit your style.
Picturing a modern lakeside retreat with all the comforts of home? Devils Fork State Park, overlooking beautiful Lake Jocassee, offers two- and three-bedroom wood-frame villas with hardwood floors, granite countertops, satellite TV, complimentary Wi-Fi and the all-important screened porch. Several of the villas overlook the lake and five have been designated pet-friendly. You’ll also have use of a boat ramp reserved exclusively for villa guests.
Prefer to stay at a bed and breakfast? Sunrise Farm Bed & Breakfast offers an equally pleasurable, though different, lodging experience. Once a large cotton plantation, this charming inn is set on 10 rural acres with a beautifully restored 1890s-era two-story Victorian farmhouse as the centerpiece. Along with two guestrooms and a two-bedroom suite in the main house, the property includes two separate one-bedroom cottages with fully-equipped kitchens. The cozy Corn Crib was the farm’s original corn storage building.
While they’re not growing crops, Sunrise Farm owners Greg and Suzanne Humphreys maintain a “hobby” farm that includes a llama, pigmy goat, sheep, two miniature horses, a potbellied pig and several friendly cats. Guests are welcome to enjoy the pastoral scene—along with fresh-from-the-oven cookies—on the inn’s wrap-around porch.
A selection of vacation rental homes in town provide more options for visitors. They include two four-bedroom homes—Jocassee Hideaway and Robinson Lake Front Lodge on Lake Jocassee, both offering direct access to Lake Jocassee—and the four-bedroom Maplecrest at Lake Jocassee, located on two wooded acres near Devils Fork State Park.
Those looking to camp can choose from three types of sites at Devils Fork State Park. The standard campsites accommodate tents or RVs and offer water and electrical hook-ups, picnic tables and fire rings. Walk-in campsites, located a short walk from a central parking area, are for tents only. If you’ve got a boat, you can opt for one of the backcountry boat-in sites located on the northern shore of Lake Jocassee at the base of Musterground Mountain.
Salem also offers a couple of fun daytime dining spots and a craft brewery. Sisters Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Saturday and brunch on Sundays. The breakfast menu features omelets, pancakes and French toast; lunch choices include sandwiches, burgers, melts and salads. Locals also love Pat’s Cash and Carry, an old-fashioned country store specializing in hot dogs.
Another popular gathering spot in town is Jocassee Valley Brewing Company. The taproom features nine beers that rotate continually with a variety of styles, as well as bottle and can craft brews, wine and craft soda and a limited selection of appetizers. On weekends, you’ll usually find a food truck on hand around dinnertime. Events are held throughout the year and include live concerts and open mic nights.
