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Lake Murray Dam North Recreational Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,668 Google reviews · Running trail in Columbia, South Carolina · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Lake Murray Dam North Recreational 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.
Relaxed park and picnic area featuring a manmade sandy beach plus fishing pier, dock and boat ramps.
What runners say about Lake Murray Dam North Recreational Area
“A well kept park with plenty of picnic tables and charcoal grills to afford family and friends a cozy place with beautiful views allowing for a day time escape.”
“A well kept park with plenty of picnic tables and charcoal grills to afford family and friends a cozy place with beautiful views allowing for a day time escape.”
“It got the dam where you can walk/run, it got picnics areas where you can eat and spend time with family or friends, you can also do any activities while it’s calm and peaceful.”
Beautiful park, perfect for a family picnic, date night to watch the sunset, kayaking, fishing or boating. Access to water for watercraft. No swimming allowed though! There are a few pavilions for shelter w picnic tables and charcoal grills. Bathrooms are decent.
We love this place, nice, clean, you can swim, see boats, and fish, you can also Kayak. It got the dam where you can walk/run, it got picnics areas where you can eat and spend time with family or friends, you can also do any activities while it’s calm and peaceful.
This is primarily the public boat launch, but is also a public recreational area. Several folks were there fishing and enjoying the beautiful sunset across Lake Murray. It's also the place to park if you're going to hike across on the Dam. Very nice park.
Very beautiful and peaceful lake. There's isn't much of a path persay if you want to walk around lake Murray, but you can walk across the dam, which is about a 40 min walk one way. Several boats out on the water, (you can launch your boat here) and lots of people fishing.
Trail conditions & character
“A well kept park with plenty of picnic tables and charcoal grills to afford family and friends a cozy place with beautiful views allowing for a day time escape.”
“The biggest downside is the extreme lack of parking, and they will tow cars illegally parked.”
“There are some picnic tables here as well as a small restroom facility that is semi clean with slow running water.”
Plan your run at Lake Murray Dam North Recreational Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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(803) 217-9221
Hours
| Monday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–8 PM |
Running trails near Columbia
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Saluda Shoals Park
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400-acre park featuring a river observation deck, boat launches, picnic shelters & multi-use trails.
Irmo Town Park
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Lovely, peaceful local park featuring a pond, a waterfall and a gazebo.
Veterans Park
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Moore Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,469 reviews
Wooded park with a pond, picnic shelters, walking trails, multiple playgrounds & an amphitheater.
