Day Trip: Augusta to Lexington, South Carolina 1hr 4min

Lexington, South Carolina, is a great place to visit and home to Lake Murray, which is 55,000 acres of beauty. I stopped by the Old Mill Brewery and some shops…

Tee Gentry

Updated Jun 13, 2023 4:50 PM EDT

Day Trip: Augusta to Lexington, South Carolina 1 hr 4 min

The lake is beautiful

Tee Gentry/BMG

Lexington, South Carolina, is a great place to visit and home to Lake Murray, which is 55,000 acres of beauty. I stopped by the Old Mill Brewery and some shops around it, and the downtown area has a little bit of everything. Day Trip: Augusta to Lexington, South Carolina 1hr 4min.

Run Forest Run

Then I headed toward the dam and saw many people on the Lake Murray Dam Walkway, on the top of the Dreher Shoals Dam along S.C. Highway 6. It was full of joggers and people walking, so I decided to park and walk it. It's 1.7 miles each way, and I walked to the end and back for a total of 3.4 miles. It is a beautiful walk!

Park And Walk

If you go, parking is on both sides of the dam. On the Lexington side, if you use their picnic and swimming areas, there is a parking fee, but parking is free for walkers and runners. The Irmo side charges for walkers' parking, but will tell you about the free parking on the other side.

Forgot My Water

Plus, if you don't take water with you and haven't had any all day, the guard shack on the Irmo side will give you a bottle if you're about to pass out. It was hot, and they were super nice, and I'm out of shape, but I'm rambling....

Here's more info on the parks on both sides of the dam:

Irmo Side

Open Year Round – 24 Hours
Address: 2101 North Lake Drive Columbia, SC 29212
Entrance onto Lake Murray Dam Walkway.
Fees: only apply from April to Labor Day
- $5 Cars & Trucks
- $5 Motorcycles
- $5 Passenger Vans
- Season Pass may be purchased at the park for $50 per car.
Amenities: Boat Launch, Picnic Facilities, Fishing Docks, Restrooms
Prohibited: Alcoholic Beverages; pets must be on a leash

Lexington Side

Open April – Labor Day
- Monday – Friday (Until May 2): 11 AM – 8 PM
- Saturday – Sunday & Holidays: 10 AM – 8 PM
Fees:
- $5 Cars & Trucks
- $5 Motorcycles
- $5 Passenger Vans
- Season Pass may be purchased at the park for $50 per car.
Amenities: Picnic Facilities, Swimming*, Restrooms
Prohibited: Alcoholic Beverages, Pets
* Please note: No lifeguard on duty; swim at your own risk

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Tee GentryEditor

Tee has worked with KICKS 99 for over 24 years as Operations Manager and Program Director and is on-air each afternoon 3p-7p. When he’s not working, you’ll find him traveling the back roads, taking pictures, and searching for the next dive diner. Favorite place to visit? That’s easy. Folly Beach, SC. He’s usually there at least a few times a year. He lives in North Augusta and on Saturdays in the fall, you’ll find him cooking out and watching his Clemson Tigers. Tee likes to write about travel, Augusta local dive bars and diners and destinations in the Carolinas, as well as new business.