CAPITAL CITY/LAKE MURRAY COUNTRY, SOUTH CAROLINA–April 2019–For a unique and refreshing South Carolina lake vacation, head to Capital City/Lake Murray Country to sail, ski, boat or float through Nature’s aquatic playground. Palmetto Outdoors can outfit needs for endless water adventures, including tubing, kayaking and river tours, near picturesque small towns, not far from the amenities of the big city.
Capital City/Lake Murray Country is located off Interstates I-77, I-20 and I-26 in the central part of South Carolina, anchored by Columbia and the surrounding towns and counties of Lexington, Newberry, Richland and Saluda. Stretching across the region is Lake Murray, 41 miles long and 14 miles at its widest point, encompassing 620 miles of shoreline. Remarkable fishing, sailing, sunrises and sunsets await, along with paddleboarding, pontoon boats and more.
On the way, stop in the Capital City of Columbia to experience the metropolitan side of the water. Columbia is uniquely situated on three converging rivers, the Saluda, Broad and Congaree, and the city has carefully nurtured parks, greenbelt oases and activity all along the waterfronts. One outfitter offers a popular free, ADA accessible tour; others offer kayaking and tubing on the rivers. Rent a bike to explore any of the Three Rivers Greenway, or hike along the trails at Riverfront Park & Historic Columbia Canal. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the canal was the world’s first hydroelectrically operated textile mill and is still in operation.
Next, head for the shores of massive Lake Murray, created for hydroelectric power yet filled with amenities and attractions for lazy and lively aquatic adventures. Boating Magazine calls it one of the country’s “Top 10 Boating Destinations and Places to Live.” The many forested coves shelter year-round and vacation homes and rentals. Visitors can bring their boats, watercraft and gear or rent from outfitters. Delightful dining spots, marinas and landings are situated all around the lake.
One of the many intriguing features of Lake Murray is the 348-acre Dreher Island State Park, spanning three islands and providing access to 12 miles of shoreline. Visitors will find picnicking, camping and lakeside villas, recreational water activities, nature trails and prized fishing spots for striped and large-mouth bass. A tackle and gear loaner program is even available.
Master aquatic skills
Grab a board and oar and catch the views while paddleboarding. California Republic SUP offers equipment rentals, tours and lessons. Learn to scuba dive in two weekends with Columbia Scuba. Experienced divers will see underwater remnants of towns abandoned during the reservoir’s construction, including a bridge, a graveyard and a stone house. Captain your own vessel through Better Boating, with two locations on Lake Murray. Go tubing at Southshore Marina or stock up on tubing essentials here for your own adventures. Want to reel in bass on a tournament lake, but have limited fishing experience? Local charter guides will show you the secret spots. For more ideas, go to www.lakemurraycountry.com/businesses/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation
Waterfront sipping and dining
One of the many pleasures of lake life is dining on the water, and Lake Murray doesn’t disappoint. Options include stunning sunset views, dog-friendly decks, kid’s playgrounds, seafood-shack casual, retro classic and contemporary fine dining, craft beers and crafted cocktails, live music and late-ish nightspots with bar food and entrees. Boat-up and drive up restaurants include Catfish Johnny’s and Purple Martin Grille and Cellar, as well as Liberty on the Lake in Irmo. Liberty Tap Room & Grill (aka Liberty on the Lake) offers a three-tiered deck overlooking the water and upscale casual dining with 48 beers on tap. To peruse all Capital City/Lake Murray Country listings on where to eat and drink, go to www.lakemurraycountry.com/businesses/things-to-do/eat–drink
Timing is everything
Any season is perfect for a lake vacation, but discounts and dazzling nature displays are available for limited times only. Plan ahead to experience these unique events from now through fall.
Mid-May to June
Witness the magical, mesmerizing sight of synchronous fireflies only found in a handful of U.S. habitats, including Congaree National Park, southeast of the Capital City. Unlike familiar sporadic backyard blinking, thousands of lightning bugs flash and go dark in concert, in a quietly spectacular display. Check the timing at www.nps.gov/cong/fireflies.htm
Mid-June to early August
An estimated one million Purple Martins arrive on Lake Murray, swooping through the sky at sunset to the delight of lake-goers. Rent a boat and drive to the middle of the lake near the largest sanctuary in North America. For cruises showcasing the Purple Martins, try Lake Murray Yacht Tours and Pontoon Rentals and Tours.
October
While tours and exploration are open all year, October brings guided kayak swamp tours of the Congaree National Park. The three-hour tour by Palmetto Outdoors provides wilderness and shoreline views of river otters, bobcats, deer, owls and wild boar in this preserve of some of the oldest, tallest hard-growth trees in eastern North America.
A Week of Special Packages June 21-30, 2019
Capital City/Lake Murray Country (www.LakeMurrayCountry.com), the region’s tourism destination marketing organization, is offering seven vacation packages that are designed to appeal to a variety of interests during Staycation Week, June 21-30, 2019. Packages offer discounted hotel rates, Cool Pass tickets to key attractions and an Attraction Discount Card. All booked packages will be entered to win a three-day vacation back to the region, plus $500 in cash.
The Lake Enthusiasts Package makes it easy to find discounted prices on kayaking, paddleboarding, boat and pontoon rentals, Purple Martin tours, fishing guides and much more, along with discounts at more than 22 hotels, including 10 near Lake Murray. More than 15 restaurants are on the suggested itinerary, from casual and upscale lakeside dining, barbecue, steak and seafood, Italian and more. Additional Staycation Week package themes include Family Fun, Outdoor Adventure, Millennials, Backroads and BBQ, Civil Rights/History and Special Needs. Visit StaycationWeekColumbiaSC.com and StaycationWeekLakeMurraySC.com to book a staycation.