The 2025 Ultimate Guide to Lake Murray Hangout Spots
Welcome to the 2025 Ultimate Guide to Lake Murray Hangout Spots, your go-to resource for exploring the vibrant heart of South Carolina’s 50,000-acre reservoir! Nestled in the Midlands, Lake Murray offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, recreational thrills, and community charm. From sandy shores to scenic trails, this guide highlights the top destinations—Bomb Island, Sandy Beach, and the Lake Murray Dam Recreational Areas—for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re seeking a lively boat party, a serene sunset walk, or a family-friendly picnic, we’ve got you covered.
If you’re considering a home on the lake, I’m Patrick O’Connor, Team Lead for The #1 Coldwell Banker Team in South Carolina out of the Lexington/Lake Murray office, I live on Lake Murray, and help home buyers and sellers on and around the lake.
Dreher Island State Park
Prosperity, SC
Located at 2101 North Lake Drive, Columbia, SC, the Lake Murray Dam North Recreational Area, on the Irmo side of the Dreher Shoals Dam, is a year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts. This public park offers a boat ramp, fishing piers, picnic shelters, and restrooms, making it ideal for boating, fishing, and family gatherings. The 1.7-mile pedestrian walkway across the dam connects to the Lexington side, providing stunning views of Lake Murray and Columbia’s skyline, perfect for walking, jogging, or cycling.
Lake Murray Dam South Recreational Area
Lexington, SC
Lake Murray Dam South Recreational Area: A Lakeside Gem
Situated at 1910 N Lake Dr, Lexington, SC, the Lake Murray Dam South Recreational Area, on the Lexington side of the Dreher Shoals Dam, is a scenic retreat for outdoor enthusiasts. This public park offers a boat ramp, fishing piers, picnic shelters, and restrooms, making it perfect for boating, fishing, and family picnics. The 1.7-mile pedestrian walkway across the dam connects to the Irmo side, providing stunning views of Lake Murray and Columbia’s skyline, ideal for walking, jogging, or cycling.
Bomb Island
Center of Lake Murray, SC
Bomb Island: Lake Murray's Purple Martin Haven
Bomb Island, a small, tree-covered isle on Lake Murray, South Carolina, is a natural spectacle drawing thousands to its shores. Officially Spence Island, it’s nicknamed for its WWII history when B-25 bombers used it for practice runs. Today, it’s the Western Hemisphere’s largest purple martin sanctuary, hosting over 500,000 birds each summer. From July to August, these migratory birds roost at dusk, creating a mesmerizing aerial display as they swirl over the island, a highlight for eco-tourists and birdwatchers.
Accessible only by boat, Bomb Island is best experienced via cruises like those on The Spirit of Lake Murray, departing from Irmo. The 1.5-acre island, part of Lake Murray’s 50,000-acre reservoir, is a protected site, with no public landings to preserve its ecosystem. Visitors marvel at the purple martins’ synchronized flights, a fleeting summer phenomenon before their migration to Brazil.
Sandy Beach
Lexington, SC
Sandy Beach: Lake Murray’s Vibrant Shoreline Retreat
Sandy Beach, a summer hotspot, also known as Bundrick Island, is a 200-foot-long peninsula on Lake Murray, South Carolina, renowned for its fine white sand and lively atmosphere. Accessible only by boat - you can park a pontoon directly on the island’s shore - this Lexington gem attracts boaters, swimmers, and sunbathers to its shores.
The locals know two sides to Sandy Beach - Party Cove and the “Family Side,” which has the best view of open water. There are two sides to Party Cove on the left and right of the “Family Side.” Note the lack of parking, restrooms, or lifeguards, so plan accordingly.