Covering seventy-eight square miles, Lake Murray was, when completed, the largest man-made lake in the world. Now the lake offers fishing, boating, and a host of water sports including wakeboarding, water-skiing, kneeboarding, parasailing, and barefooting. Lake Murray is also home to Lunch Island, North America’s first officially designated Purple Martin sanctuary (Purple Martins are birds of the swallow family). On summer evenings, boats gather at dusk to witness the spectacle of thousands and thousands of Purple Martins coming to the island to roost.

Created in the 1930's as a hydroelectric generating facility, Lake Murray is quickly becoming South Carolina's premiere lake vacation destination. Lake Murray is located only a short drive from Columbia, SC and is a favorite destination of thousands a week. Be sure to plan your trip around fishing tournaments as there are many tournaments held on Lake Murray throughout the year. Many students attending the University of South Carolina like to take quick weekend getaways to Lake Murray to water ski, lounge, and to just have a good time.