Lake Murray

Central SC, in Lexington, Richland, Newberry & Saluda counties, SC, USA

A sprawling blue playground just northwest of Columbia, Lake Murray is central South Carolina’s go-to water destination.

50,900 acres

Surface Area

189 ft

Max Depth

650 miles

Shoreline

1927–1930

Created

Scott and Caroline Donaldson - Lake Murray Realtors

Scott & Caroline Donaldson

The Whaley Group | Peace Sotheby's International Realty

Scott and Caroline Donaldson of The Whaley Group with Peace Sotheby's International Realty bring local knowledge, personalized service, and a strong connection to the Columbia area to buyers and sellers throughout Lake Murray and the surrounding communities. Together, they provide a client-focused approach to residential, waterfront, luxury, and lifestyle real estate throughout the Midlands of South Carolina. Whether you're searching for a waterfront retreat, relocating to the Lake Murray area, or preparing to sell your home, Scott and Caroline combine market knowledge, strong communication, and attentive service to help make every real estate experience as seamless as possible.

Scott: 803-600-6447
Caroline: 803-315-8261

scott.donaldson@peacesir.com
caroline.donaldson@peacesir.com

Find Your Lake Murray Home

About Lake Murray

Created by the Dreher Shoals (Saluda) Dam and operated today by Dominion Energy South Carolina, Lake Murray stretches roughly 41 miles end-to-end with broad open water and hundreds of sheltered coves. Depending on the source and time of measurement, the lake spans about 48,000–50,900 acres and boasts ~620–650 miles of shoreline—plenty of room for boating, fishing, and lakeside living.

At full pool, the lake sits near 360 ft above sea level; day-to-day levels are typically managed within a few feet of that mark, with seasonal drawdowns in late fall/winter and higher summer levels for recreation and power needs. Public parks at the dam and on the Irmo/Lexington sides provide swimming beaches, bank fishing, and picnic shelters, while Dreher Island State Park anchors the western end with campgrounds and miles of lakeshore.

Key Features

Swimming Areas

Boating & Water Sports

Fishing (Diverse Species)

Marinas & Boat Services

Dreher Island State Park

Picnic Areas & Outdoor Leisure

Generally Stable Water Levels

Wildlife Viewing

Quick facts (at-a-glance)

Location – Central SC, in Lexington, Richland, Newberry & Saluda counties.
Size – ~48,000–50,900 surface acres (varies by pool & source).
Shoreline – ~620–650 miles.
Full-Pool Elevation – ~360 ft MSL.
Built/Impounded – 1927–1930 (Dreher Shoals/Saluda Dam).
Owner/Operator – Dominion Energy South Carolina (formerly SCE&G).
Inflow/Outflow – Saluda River.
State Park – Dreher Island State Park on the lake.
Average July High (nearby Columbia) – ~92°F / 33°C; warm, humid summers.
Signature Wildlife – Purple martin roost at Bomb Island (June–Aug evenings).

Lake Murray Vacation Homes For Rent

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Lake Murray EVENT GUIDE

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Lake Murray DINING GUIDE

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What you can do there

Fishing: Cast year-round for striped bass (best in cooler months and summer bait runs), plus largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and sunfish.

Swimming: Enjoy the sandy beaches at Lake Murray Public Park or anchor in quiet coves to swim off your boat.

Boating & Watersports: Cruise the wide-open lake for tubing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, or sailing.

Kayaking & SUP: Explore calmer, no-wake coves and fingers of the lake, perfect for paddling and stand-up paddleboarding.

Camping & Hiking: Stay at Dreher Island State Park with lakeside campsites, cabins, hiking trails, and easy launch access.

Picnicking : Use lakeside shelters and day-use areas for family outings or group gatherings.

Walk the Dam: Stroll the popular walkway along Dreher Shoals Dam, especially scenic at sunrise and sunset.

Wildlife Viewing: Witness the famous purple-martin roost at Bomb Island on summer evenings, one of North America’s largest.

Access, marinas & ramps

Public Parks at the Dam (Irmo & Lexington): Day-use, beaches, bank fishing, restrooms, seasonal hours.

Dreher Island State Park: Multiple ramps, courtesy docks, fishing access, camping, cabins.

Marinas (fuel, slips, rentals, restaurants): Lighthouse Marina (Ballentine). , Lake Murray Marina at Marina Bay (near Irmo/Columbia). , Southshore Marina (Prosperity).

Public Boat Landings: SCDNR maintains a searchable list of Lake Murray landings (e.g., Jake’s, Riverwinds, Koon, Rocky Point).

Safety & regulations

Life Jackets: U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFDs required onboard; children under 12 must wear a PFD on moving vessels under 16 ft.
Boater Education: If you were born after July 1, 2007, you must pass an SCDNR-approved boating safety course to operate a boat or PWC without supervision in SC.
Licenses: A valid South Carolina freshwater fishing license is required for anglers age 16+.
Navigation & No-Wake: Obey posted no-wake zones near ramps, bridges, and marinas; watch for floating debris after storms. (Levels generally operate 355–360 ft MSL with seasonal changes.)
Dam & Parks: Follow posted rules at Dominion Energy public parks (hours, alcohol restrictions, swim areas, closures).

Gallery

Nearby highlights & suggested day trips

Columbia, SC (20–30 min): Riverbanks Zoo & Garden; South Carolina State Museum; Columbia Museum of Art; dining in the Vista/Main Street districts.
Congaree National Park (≈45 min): Boardwalks through the largest intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the Southeast—easy half-day trip.

Events & community

Lake Murray’s calendar pops each summer: Independence Day on Lake Murray fireworks shoot from multiple launch points and draw boaters and shoreline spectators; seasonal boat parades and on-the-water concerts also make regular appearances. Check the Capital City/Lake Murray Country visitors bureau and Dreher Island State Park for current dates, permits, and viewing advice.