News Summary
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, families visiting Lake Murray will need to use a new online reservation system for beach access. Starting March 19, visitors must book a $5 day pass in advance to ensure parking and reduce overcrowding. Although limited passes may be available at the gate, cash payments are not accepted. The system takes effect when the park opens on April 9 and is aimed at improving crowd management at this popular Midlands destination.
Lexington, South Carolina – As Memorial Day weekend approaches, families in the Midlands are planning their visits to local recreational areas, including lakes and pools. This year, Lake Murray, a popular destination among locals, is introducing a new reservation system for access to its beach and recreational areas.
Dominion Energy has implemented an online reservation system specifically for the beach area located on the Lexington side of the Lake Murray Dam. Starting March 19, visitors will be required to reserve a day pass in advance through Dominion Energy’s website. Each pass will cost $5 and is valid for a specific date.
Upon making a reservation, guests will receive an email confirmation that they must present at the park gate upon arrival. One of the new system’s goals is to mitigate overcrowding and ensure adequate parking for those who book in advance. While reservations are strongly encouraged, a limited number of passes may still be available for purchase at the gate, contingent on capacity.
It is important to note that cash payments will no longer be accepted at the entry gate. For those seeking same-day access, a QR code will be available at the entrance, allowing visitors to pay online if there are passes remaining. More information regarding reservations can be found on Dominion Energy’s official website.
The reservation system will officially take effect when the park opens for the season on April 9 and will run through Labor Day on September 1. Visitors can reserve a single-use pass up to three weeks in advance. The pass grants access for the entire day but cannot be reused if guests leave the park.
This new reservation process replaces the previous first-come, first-served policy, which contributed to periods of congestion at the park. Historically, the beach at Lake Murray Public Park attracts around 100,000 people annually, making effective crowd management essential for an enjoyable experience.
While the reservation system is in place for Lake Murray Public Park, Dominion Energy will not require reservations for other park sites along Lake Murray or Lake Monticello. This includes a boat launch located on the Irmo side, providing flexibility for visitors exploring different areas around the lakes.
To ensure an informed visitor experience, signs will be positioned outside the park to announce the new policy and guide guests regarding the reservation requirements.
This initiative reflects a growing trend in public parks to manage visitor flow more effectively. As the summer season kicks off, residents and tourists alike are encouraged to make advance plans for their trips to Lake Murray.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Reservation for Lake Murray Public Park Access
- Wikipedia: Lake Murray
- WACH: Reservations Needed for Lake Murray Public Park
- Google Search: Lake Murray Park reservations
- The State: Lake Murray Public Park Rules
- Google Scholar: Lake Murray Public Park
- Cola Daily: Changes to Lake Murray Public Park Access
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lake Murray
- Post and Courier: New Rules for Lake Murray Public Park
- Google News: Lake Murray Beach pass
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
