HomeSouth CarolinaCentral › Issaqueena Trailhead

Issaqueena Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 200 Google reviews · Running trail in Central, South Carolina · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
3.6 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Issaqueena Trailhead'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.

Mixed3.6 miOpen 24hScenicFlat & fastHillyTrailhead parking

Popular 100+ mile trail network for hiking and dog walks, plus horseback riding and mountain biking.

What runners say about Issaqueena Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (200 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“Such a great hike the end was rough for me because I took the dam road instead of the trail on accident but it was beautiful!”

Great trail to hike and bike. 3.19 miles round trip hike to the dam. The only bad thing about this place is the recent robberies on people's cars. They smash your window, grab and run.

★★★★☆ — Likeπ , Nov 2021

Great trail system. A little confusing at first, but makes sense quickly. Trails are very well marked, contrary to other reviews. Really fun spot to explore on a mountain bike

★★★★★ — Matt , Nov 2024

It's the place to bike, hike, or ride on horseback! I always feel better after biking around the lake, and there are actually some decent downhill sections if you're willing to put in the milage.

★★★★★ — Will , Mar 2021

You can ride until your heart is content here. Trails are everywhere with great scenery around every corner. The trails could be marked better but I've never been on a trail that meets my expectations on that regard. If you add up all the trails in this area, there are 100+ miles of trails.

★★★★★ — Kim , Jan 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 200 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 9 mentions

“Such a great hike the end was rough for me because I took the dam road instead of the trail on accident but it was beautiful!”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“There are maps by the parking which you can use to familiarize yourself with by the area, as well as picnic benches and a shelter to relax underneath.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 3 mentions

“It's a very beautiful place with challenging technical trails,fast downhills, and everything in between for everyone.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“There was not too much elevation but there were some amazing views!”

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🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 2 mentions

“Many miles of trails, including gravel roads, old fire roads, and singletrack.”

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Flat & fast 2 mentions

“Trails are all green level maybe with a couple of tiny small blue technical sections.”

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Plan your run at Issaqueena Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • Distance3.6 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 Issaqueena Trailhead

E Dam Rd, Central, SC 29630

Get directions

Running trails near Central

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

Clemson Experimental Forest

4.3 ★★★★☆ 29 reviews

Central, SC

LoopCrushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

under a mile away

R.C Edwards Meadow Project

4.7 ★★★★★ 23 reviews

Central, SC

Scenic

under a mile away

Waldrop Stone Falls

4.6 ★★★★★ 181 reviews

Central, SC

LoopCrushed gravelShadedScenic

Hiking locale featuring a serene, small waterfall amid steep trails (though there are easier parts, too).

1.2 miles away

Todd Creek Falls

4.3 ★★★★☆ 99 reviews

Central, SC

Scenic

Hiking area with a waterfall and a swimming hole.

1.8 miles away

Twelve Mile Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 647 reviews

Clemson, SC

12 miShadedScenic

Park offering a beach, a boat ramp, multiple picnic areas, playgrounds, and grills.

2.3 miles away

Mountain View Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 157 reviews

Clemson, SC

LoopShadedScenic

Lakeside park offering a wooded trail, boat ramp, disc-golf course & picturesque sunset views.

2.6 miles away

All running trails in Central, 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.