HomeSouth CarolinaClemson › Larry W. Abernathy Waterfront Park

Larry W. Abernathy Waterfront Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 465 Google reviews · Running trail in Clemson, South Carolina · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Larry W. Abernathy Waterfront 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.

BoardwalkShadedScenicRestroomsQuiet

Leafy lakefront park featuring a charming wooded expanse, multi-use shelter & paved walkways.

What runners say about Larry W. Abernathy Waterfront Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (465 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“There are places to sit and picnic, view the beautiful lake and relax.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“It was peaceful, despite there being people in multiple places on the boardwalk.”

This was a nice place to go after a long day at work. It was peaceful, despite there being people in multiple places on the boardwalk. It has places to both sit and eat or just view the lake on a swing by yourself if you want. I would say the whole boardwalk is about a 10-20 minute walk from beginning to end.

★★★★☆ — Elisabeth , Oct 2020

If you're wanting to just break away from the hustle and bustle of Clemson this park is right off of Tiger Blvd. I usually park in the Wendy's parking lot and there are steps leading down to the path.

★★★★☆ — Casey , Apr 2022

I love this park! Even now with Corona virus keeping everyone apart it's a place to go walking and see wildlife. There are places to sit and picnic, view the beautiful lake and relax. You can also walk up to a few different businesses and get food. You can also canoe/kayak from one spot.

★★★★★ — Catherine , Jul 2020

Pros: Pretty view of lake, nice distance to walk (goes into downtown Clemson), and plenty of seating. Cons: bathrooms need to be checked more often, main shelter is very dark

★★★★☆ — Dominique , Jun 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 465 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

“Pros: Pretty view of lake, nice distance to walk (goes into downtown Clemson), and plenty of seating.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“It was peaceful, despite there being people in multiple places on the boardwalk.”

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🪵 Boardwalk 5 mentions

“It was peaceful, despite there being people in multiple places on the boardwalk.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 4 mentions

“Thrashers, Cardinals, and Mockingbirds accompanied me on my walk through the wooded wetland.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Cons: bathrooms need to be checked more often, main shelter is very dark”

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Plan your run at Larry W. Abernathy Waterfront 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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitecityofclemson.org
  • Phone(864) 624-1120

Hours

Monday 8 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–9 PM
Thursday 8 AM–9 PM
Friday 8 AM–9 PM
Saturday 8 AM–9 PM
Sunday 8 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 Larry W. Abernathy Waterfront Park

207 Keowee Trail, Clemson, SC 29631

Get directions

Running trails near Clemson

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

Jaycee Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 118 reviews

Clemson, SC

Shaded

Swings, slides, picnic tables, and a playground dot this park for kids up to the age of 5.

under a mile 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.

under a mile away

The Dike

4.8 ★★★★★ 97 reviews

Clemson, SC

ScenicDog-friendly

Relaxed park with a trail, a hill, and a lake for sunset views, picnics, and dogs.

under a mile 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.

1.0 miles away

Gateway Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 32 reviews

Clemson, SC

ShadedScenic

Neat park with mature trees, paths and a bioretention area.

1.2 miles away

R.C Edwards Meadow Project

4.7 ★★★★★ 23 reviews

Central, SC

Scenic

2.5 miles away

All running trails in Clemson, 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.