Can you picture slipping out for an early boat ride, grabbing coffee in a walkable village, then making your afternoon tee time, all without leaving your neighborhood? If that sounds like your kind of day, The Reserve at Lake Keowee deserves a closer look. Whether you want a full-time lake retreat or a lock-and-leave second home, you’ll find a resort-style rhythm with real community under it. In this guide, you’ll learn how life really works here, from the marina and golf to home styles, pricing, and what to verify before you buy. Let’s dive in.
Where it is and what it feels like
The Reserve at Lake Keowee sits in Sunset near Six Mile in Pickens County, South Carolina. The community spans roughly 3,900 acres with about 30 miles of shoreline, giving you room to spread out on and off the water. The address for the sales and village core is 931 Reserve Blvd., Sunset, SC 29685. You may also see it branded on-site as Old Edwards Reserve at Lake Keowee, but it’s the same community.
The Village and daily life
At the heart of The Reserve is the Village, anchored by the Orchard House clubhouse, Founders Hall, and The Market. This is where you meet friends for dinner, plan your week around the published events calendar, and enjoy everything from wine tastings to seasonal gatherings. The setting is social yet relaxed, with amenities designed for everyday use. You can learn more about the Village and events on the community’s official site.
Lake life and the marina
If the lake is your priority, the marina is your launchpad. It’s commonly described as a roughly 200-slip facility that offers slip leasing, day docking, watercraft rentals, detail and winterizing services, and concierge-style support for owners who want turnkey boating. Many residents boat to the Village for dining or errands, then head back out for sunset floats. For a feel of the services and how members use them, read the marina’s own overview on the community blog, “Your Concierge to Lake Keowee.”
Golf as a daily anchor
The club’s 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature course is a major draw. It plays as a par 72 at about 7,112 yards and pairs with a robust practice complex and on-site golf operations. You’ll see casual rounds midweek, member events, and a steady shoulder-season crowd when the weather is ideal. For course background and recognition, see the Nicklaus Design and course history notes on Nicklaus.com and this GolfLink course page.
Fitness, courts, pools, and trails
You can keep an active routine without leaving the gates. The Reserve highlights a multiroom fitness and wellness center, Har-Tru tennis courts, dedicated pickleball courts, a lakeside resort pool with pavilions, and miles of trails and parks. Club programming often includes clinics, leagues, and classes that make it easy to plug in at any level. Explore amenities and current programs on the community’s official site.
Home styles and neighborhoods
You have a wide range of choices depending on how you want to live:
- Village and Marina area: Smaller, walkable cottages and village homes near The Market and marina. The Village Point concept was positioned for second-home and retirement buyers who wanted convenience by the water. Learn more about that intent in this Village Point announcement.
- Laurel Village and guest cottages: Lower-maintenance cottage options with post-and-beam and cottage architecture suited to easy ownership.
- Custom lakefront and estate homes: Larger, private parcels with the option for custom builds, often featuring native stone, wood, and mountain-craftsman detailing. For craftsmanship examples inside The Reserve, view a local builder’s project gallery for the community on Golden Corner Construction.
What homes and lots cost
Pricing varies by view, proximity to the Village, and waterfront footage. In recent years, interior lots have been seen from the low five figures into the low six figures depending on size and location. Waterfront parcels commonly range from the six figures into the low seven figures. Resale cottages and smaller homes have shown from roughly the mid $400s–$700s, and custom lakefront estates can stretch well into the multi-million range. These are representative bands and change with the market, so you should confirm current availability and pricing before you visit.
For real-world context, browse current offerings on the community’s site, such as a Reserve listing that illustrates how club membership is handled at closing and shows an example deposit on a Premier tier in the details. See a live example on the official site’s listing page. For a sense of waterfront lot opportunities, compare a reserve-owned waterfront lot example. Always verify price, deposit, and terms with the sales office, since figures change.
How seasons shape your year
- Summer: The lake is the star. Expect long boat days, active pool pavilions, and family-friendly lawn events. The marina’s turn-key services shine for part-time owners who want to maximize time on the water. The marina blog offers a good snapshot of this rhythm in its concierge overview.
- Late spring and early fall: This is peak golf and shoulder-season weather, perfect for relaxed tee times and long weekends. Check the GolfLink course page for course details.
- Fall: Cooler days and leaf color make hiking and golf especially popular, and multigenerational visits often line up with school breaks. The community keeps a year-round calendar on its official site.
- Winter: Things quiet down, but full-time residents still use the fitness center and attend indoor events. Marina activity shifts toward storage, maintenance, and planning for spring.
Getting here and around
The Reserve’s location makes it an easy drive for both daily needs and bigger city trips. Many listings cite about 20 to 30 minutes to Clemson and roughly 40 to 60 minutes to downtown Greenville, depending on traffic and which gate you use. Always check a real-time map from your specific homesite. Day to day, you’ll find most errands manageable without leaving the immediate area, with the Village providing convenient dining and services on-site.
Membership, deposits, and what to verify
Most resale listings inside The Reserve note a required club membership initiation deposit at closing. Memberships are typically tiered, often described as Social, Sports, or Premier. Some recent listings on the community’s site have shown an example Premier deposit figure in the notes. For instance, review deposit language on this official Reserve listing page. Amounts and dues change, so contact the sales office for the current schedule before you write any numbers into your plan.
You should also verify marina slip availability, HOA covenants and architectural review requirements, and any dock permitting nuances for waterfront lots. Slip counts, waitlists, boat lift options, and services evolve with demand, and waterfront permits are specific to each parcel. Your agent can help you coordinate these checks early in your search.
Buyer checklist for The Reserve
Use this quick list to keep your search efficient and on track:
- Confirm membership tiers, initiation deposits, and monthly dues directly with the community’s sales office. Start with the official site.
- Ask the marina about slip leasing, current waitlists, and services for part-time owners. Read the marina’s overview on the Reserve’s community blog.
- Request HOA covenants and Architectural Review Committee guidelines for any lot or home you are considering. The sales team can provide the current documents.
- Verify dock status and any Duke Energy permitting requirements for waterfront lots. Treat permits as property-specific and time-sensitive.
- Compare real listings to understand today’s price bands. Browse examples on the Reserve’s official listings and specific pages like this property for recent context.
Work with a local guide
Choosing a lake community is about more than a great house. It is the rhythm of your days, the walkability of the Village, the ease of launching the boat, and the confidence that your purchase fits how you want to live. If you want a clear, step-by-step path from first visit to closing, partner with a Lake Keowee specialist who knows the covenants, docks, membership options, and neighborhood nuances and can coordinate everything if you are out of state. When you are ready to start, reach out to Amy Twitty for tailored listings, virtual showings, and a game plan that fits your goals.
FAQs
What amenities define The Reserve at Lake Keowee?
- You get a walkable Village with dining, a full-service marina, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, fitness and wellness, tennis and pickleball, pools, and trails. See highlights on the official site.
How do club memberships and deposits work at closing?
- Most resales note an initiation deposit due at closing, with tiers often described as Social, Sports, or Premier. Amounts change; see deposit examples on a current Reserve listing page and confirm the latest schedule with the sales office.
Are marina boat slips available right now?
- Slip availability, waitlists, and lift options change with demand. Contact the marina for current leasing and services, and preview how it operates via the community’s marina overview.
What types of homes and lots can I find?
- Options range from walkable Village cottages and Laurel Village products to custom lakefront and estate parcels. Explore product variety and craftsmanship on the official site and examples from Golden Corner Construction.
What price ranges should I expect?
- Interior lots have been seen from the low five figures into the low six figures; waterfront lots often span six to low seven figures; cottages may run mid $400s–$700s; custom lakefront estates can reach multiple millions. Always verify today’s pricing with current listings like the Reserve’s official pages.
Is short-term renting allowed inside the community?
- Some village products were previously described as qualifying for a residential rental program, but permissions and terms are set by the Association and club. Confirm current short- and long-term rental rules for each property with the HOA and sales office before you buy.
How close is The Reserve to Clemson and Greenville?
- Many listings cite about 20–30 minutes to Clemson and 40–60 minutes to downtown Greenville depending on traffic and gate choice. Use a live map from your specific homesite to confirm current drive times.
Which schools serve the area?
- Many listing pages reference Hagood Elementary, Pickens Middle, and Pickens High for addresses within The Reserve. School assignments can change, so verify with the local district before making decisions.
