HomeSouth CarolinaConway › Cox Ferry Lake Recreation Area

Cox Ferry Lake Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 392 Google reviews · Running trail in Conway, South Carolina · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Boardwalk
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Cox Ferry Lake Recreation Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

BoardwalkScenicDog-friendlyRestroomsWaterQuiet

Laid-back park featuring a lake with catch-and-release fishing, plus various hiking and biking trails.

What runners say about Cox Ferry Lake Recreation Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (392 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“It's a great place to see a variety of plants & animals and beautiful scenery.”

🪧 well-marked 3 mentions

“Easy, well marked trails.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Great place, very peaceful, fishing is decent.”

I love this place, and the refuge in general. I use the kayak put-in, the picnic area for rest stops, and the trails for mountain biking, hiking, and observing/photographing wildlife. It's a great place to see a variety of plants & animals and beautiful scenery. Otter Boardwalk is really cool (and back open).

★★★★★ — Kristen , Oct 2019

Beautiful nature and wildlife preserve. There are different landscapes to see and plenty of marked trails for both bikes and hikers. Definitely a hidden gem in the area!

★★★★★ — Sheila , Apr 2022

What a great hidden gem! I hiked the blue trail from the trailhead to Cox Ferry Lake which was 1.7 mile hike one way including a nice boardwalk in the middle of the trail. Will definitely be back!

★★★★★ — Wendy , Mar 2022

Easy, well marked trails. Beautiful sights to see. Leashed dogs are welcome. I really enjoyed the cypress swamp and viewing the wildlife.

★★★★★ — Robin , Jun 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 392 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“It's a great place to see a variety of plants & animals and beautiful scenery.”

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🪵 Boardwalk 5 mentions

“7 mile hike one way including a nice boardwalk in the middle of the trail.”

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🚻 Restrooms 5 mentions

“No bathrooms in the area where I parked.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“Leashed dogs are welcome.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Great place, very peaceful, fishing is decent.”

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🚰 Water fountains

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Plan your run at Cox Ferry Lake Recreation Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitefws.gov
  • Phone(843) 527-8069
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–6 PM
Thursday 8 AM–6 PM
Friday 8 AM–6 PM
Saturday 8 AM–6 PM
Sunday 8 AM–6 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Cox Ferry Lake Recreation Area

Gray Lake Blvd, Conway, SC 29526

Get directions

Running trails near Conway

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Lake Busbee Walking Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 26 reviews

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5 miLoopMixedScenic

3.0 miles away

Waccamaw River Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 128 reviews

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LoopMixedDog-friendly

Wooded area featuring hiking trails as well as a disc golf course.

3.1 miles away

Conway Riverwalk

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,908 reviews

Conway, SC

BoardwalkLitScenic

Tranquil path bordering the Waccamaw River, with benches, grassy areas & playgrounds along the way.

3.2 miles away

Crabtree Swamp walking trail

4.2 ★★★★☆ 70 reviews

Conway, SC

Scenic

Peaceful park featuring a short walking trail along a canal.

5.1 miles away

Swing Bridge Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 267 reviews

Myrtle Beach, SC

BoardwalkShadedScenic

Park featuring a playground, picnic tables, and boardwalks over the water, plus fishing.

7.2 miles away

Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve

4.4 ★★★★☆ 99 reviews

Conway, SC

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Natural area with a dirt road featuring trails for hiking, riding and horseback riding.

8.5 miles away

All running trails in Conway, SC →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.