HomeSouth CarolinaBeaufort › Crystal Lake Park

Crystal Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 192 Google reviews · Running trail in Beaufort, South Carolina · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Boardwalk
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Crystal Lake Park'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.

BoardwalkLoopScenicRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Picturesque park featuring a lake and boardwalks that are home to various birds and alligators.

What runners say about Crystal Lake Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (192 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“The mostly elevated boardwalk was nice and well maintained.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“It’s so beautiful boardwalk around the lake and park is filled with nature, flora and fauna equally!”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“Peaceful little park with lots of beautiful views.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Nice, easy walk around a lake.”

Wonderful little walk. This little park has a lot to offer, from birds to alligators. The lake is picturesque and even offers the occasional fish jumping. We saw a Great Blue Heron and some finches but I am sure more birds visit this spot.

★★★★★ — Lisa , Oct 2024

Free parking. A pleasant wooden walk way. Very peaceful lots of wildlife. A nice morning walk

★★★★☆ — Julie , Jul 2023

Quiet walk around the lake. Boardwalk gives a good view. Saw an alligator swimming across the lake, then hefted himself out of the water to sunbathe.

★★★★★ — Crazy , Nov 2023

Awesome walk around the lake! It’s so beautiful boardwalk around the lake and park is filled with nature, flora and fauna equally! Such a calming and peaceful for the soul !! it’s so very well maintained too! Loved our visit with 2 chihuahuas!!!!

★★★★★ — Manny , Feb 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 192 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 12 mentions

“It’s so beautiful boardwalk around the lake and park is filled with nature, flora and fauna equally!”

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🪵 Boardwalk 7 mentions

“It’s so beautiful boardwalk around the lake and park is filled with nature, flora and fauna equally!”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“Peaceful little park with lots of beautiful views.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“A nice little park with a loop around a pond.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“They have restrooms around back.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

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Plan your run at Crystal Lake Park

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 trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Phone+1 843-255-2152

Hours

Monday 6 am–9 pm
Tuesday 6 am–9 pm
Wednesday 6 am–9 pm
Thursday 6 am–9 pm
Friday 6 am–9 pm
Saturday 6 am–9 pm
Sunday 6 am–9 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 Crystal Lake Park

124 Ladys Island Dr, Beaufort, SC 29907

Get directions

Running trails near Beaufort

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

Whitehall Park

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ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Clean, scenic green space with a bridge and mossy oaks, for walking and picnicking.

under a mile away

Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park

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Scenic

Celebrated riverfront park providing landscaped green space, a playground & stage for performances.

1.7 miles away

The Green

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Scenic

1.9 miles away

Spanish Moss Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 17 reviews

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PavedScenic

2.3 miles away

Spanish Moss Trail - Depot Road Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 160 reviews

Beaufort, SC

PavedScenic

Well-maintained former rail route for hikers and cyclists with water views.

2.4 miles away

Southside Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 176 reviews

Beaufort, SC

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Gated, spacious locale for dogs and their owners, offering fenced-in areas for various-sized breeds.

2.5 miles away

All running trails in Beaufort, 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.