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The Dike
4.8 ★★★★★ 97 Google reviews · Running trail in Clemson, South Carolina · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from The Dike'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 with a trail, a hill, and a lake for sunset views, picnics, and dogs.
What runners say about The Dike
“Go visit, bring your friends, admire this beautiful work of engineering and say thanks in person for the service it renders so faithfully every day.”
“The perfect place to walk/run at sunset, skip rocks, do yoga, and enjoy the view of Lake Hartwell and the stadium.”
“It was very relaxing and peaceful and a great exercise at the same time.”
Parking available at either end. If you use C-15 the commuter parking lot (near The Esso Club) there is a lower level dirt parking area and you can walk up the dike from there. Parking on the west side is located just before the bridge over the lake off Pendleton Road and allows a level walk out onto the Dike.
Nice place for relaxing, watching the Waves, walking and running on the grass. I usually go there after school to meditate.
I took this walk with my friends during sunset and it was super pretty! It was a great way to end the day and it’s not very far from campus so it’s definitely within walking distance. It was also fun to walk down to the rocks and skip them across the lake.
Great place for jogging or catching one of our amazing Clemson sunsets.
Trail conditions & character
“Go visit, bring your friends, admire this beautiful work of engineering and say thanks in person for the service it renders so faithfully every day.”
“The place has lovely sunset points, it is pet friendly and the pleasant breeze soothed me a lot.”
“The Dike has easy access and parking, and is a short and flat walk.”
“If you use C-15 the commuter parking lot (near The Esso Club) there is a lower level dirt parking area and you can walk up the dike from there.”
“There’s also a big hill which my friends and I 100% rolled down.”
Plan your run at The Dike
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 — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–10 PM |
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.
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Mountain View Park
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Twelve Mile Recreation Area
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Gateway Park
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Neat park with mature trees, paths and a bioretention area.
