This SC lake ranks No. 1 in nation for water sports. What makes it ‘inviting’?
A South Carolina destination is an “inviting” place to cool off — and enjoy fun-filled activities, a new report finds.
Lake Murray, in the Columbia area, ranks No. 1 on a list of the nation’s best lakes for “unforgettable water sports experiences.”
“If you love water sports, then you probably know the United States is home to some amazing lakes that are hubs for aquatic adventures,” USA Today’s 10Best wrote in a June 11 report. “Whether you enjoy kayaking, jet skiing, fishing, or wakeboarding, there’s a lake for you.”
To determine the best lakes for water sports, 10Best said it asked travel experts and editors to nominate top-notch destinations across the country. Then, readers had a month to vote on their favorites.
What makes the SC lake a fan favorite?
On the resulting lists of readers’ choice award winners, Lake Murray reigned supreme in the water sports category. The lake — west of downtown Columbia — spans more than 48,000 acres and reaches depths of about 200 feet, according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
“On a sweltering summer day, Lake Murray serves as a particularly inviting refuge from the South Carolina heat,” 10Best wrote in its report. “During the weekend, Columbia residents gather along its banks to fish for striped bass or set off on a leisurely sailboat cruise, while the lake’s surrounding rivers are perfect for a relaxing float atop an inner tube with a drink in hand.”
Lake Murray offers paddle sports, swimming, boating, jet skiing, scuba diving and other on-the-water activities. For those who want to spend time on land, there are nearby opportunities to hike and ride bikes, according to the Experience Columbia SC tourism website.
More of the lake will be accessible to the public when Pine Island State Park is set to open in October, a move that has sparked debate, The State newspaper reported.
It’s not the first time a South Carolina destination has been recognized on a wide scale. Last year, 10Best named Lake Jocassee the nation’s No. 1 lake for swimming, McClatchy News reported.
This time around, no other place in the Palmetto State ranked in the 10Best categories, which considered the nation’s top lakes and rivers. In the past, the website has told McClatchy News that it doesn’t reveal the number of people who vote in its contests.
This story was originally published June 20, 2025 at 6:32 AM with the headline "This SC lake ranks No. 1 in nation for water sports. What makes it ‘inviting’?."
