dreher shoals dam walk

The beach side or the boat ramp side which also has room to stroll and picnic benches. the view will give your mind room to expand . don't miss it!

The views of the lake and intake towers are great, but over shadowed by the very loud and distracting traffic on SC Hiyway 6, which is a four lane major thoroughfare between Lexington and Irmo. Have been hit by flying gravel from passing motor vehicles. Nice in autumn and spring, very, very hot in summer. Wear sunscreen because there is no shade the entire length nor are there any benches for seniors. Limited free parking.

I walk the dam in the morning when not so crowded or hot. There is always a nice breeze off the water and it is fun to see the boats in the water, especially the sail boats. I feel safe with the barrier from traffic and inaccessible to road. It's a fun walk alone or with friends!

looking to walk for exercise. Come here. I enjoy this walk. I have done it in all seasons. about 1.5 each way. perfect for measuring how far you've walked. Nice to view the lake and boats. Also you can see Columbia(about 12 miles away). Police call boxes are located for safety. Bring a hat and water-no shade. parking is located on each side of the dam.

OK if you like narrow walkway with noise and exhaust of cars constant, jerks who ignore signs and bring dogs and don't pick up poop, people with large double strollers who won't move over. I guess since Columbia has not invented sidewalks yet, you'll have to make do with this. Warning: if you walk it at night, the oncoming car lights will blind you for a second and you will not be able to a think in front of you. No shade so very hot in summer but all that in endured for a view of the water the entire lenght, which is about 1.5 each way I think.

Although the enormous dam that impounds Lake Murray was officially designated the Dreher Shoals Dam in 2005, nearly everyone still calls it the Lake Murray Dam. Motorists and cyclists on SC Highway 6 have been crossing this dam for many decades. In more recent years, the dam’s purpose-built walkway has been attracting hordes of walkers, lots of joggers, and even some stroller pushers. It’s not hard to understand why. The 1.7 mile-long concrete walkway, constructed during dam upgrades in 2005 and 2007, is wide and safe, the scenery is gorgeous, and parking is available. Here are a few things to bear in mind when you plan a Dreher Shoals Dam walk. (1) Both of the SCE&G-operated parks at the dam – the South Recreational Area (Lexington side “swimming park”) and the North Recreational Area (Irmo side “boat launch park”) -- have parking lots for fee-paid users of the parks. In addition, the swimming park has a small, ungated parking area reserved for the exclusive use of walkers, free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis; (2) There are public drinking fountains at each end of the dam. Hydrate before you exercise, and bring a water bottle with you on hot days; (3) There’s no shade on the walkway, so on hot and sunny days you’ll need a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen; (4) A round trip on the dam walkway is 3.4 miles. Newbies unsure of their stamina should consider doing a one-way walk with pickup at the far end; (5) There are no restrooms on the walkway, so “take care of business” before you begin your walk. Access to restrooms can be problematic for users of the walkers-only lot on the Lexington side, since the restrooms there are in a gated area available only to fee-paid users of the main recreation area. The restrooms at the boat launch park on the Irmo side are not in a gated area; (6) It’s generally best to walk early in the morning, especially during the warmer months. On the Irmo side, early arrivers may be able to get in their walk and leave the boat launch parking lot before the entrance booth starts collecting admission fees; (7) Walkers should remain alert and move over for joggers and faster walkers; (8) There are three emergency call boxes, one at each end of the walkway and one at the midpoint (near the towers). Bring your cell phone with you anyway.On a clear day, look for the skyline of downtown Columbia, which is about 11 miles away. Near the walkway midpoint, contemplate the fact that the five towers near the dam are standing in nearly 200 feet of water. At the dam spillway, check to see if you recognize any of the initials on the “love locks” attached to the dam spillway’s security fence.