Discover what makes Lake Murray the jewel of the Midlands when you visit Chapin. This picturesque South Carolina town west of Columbia enjoys access to more than 500 miles of the lake’s shoreline, making it the ideal base to explore the lake and all its wonders. It's no surprise that it's consistently voted as one of the best places to boat and live in the United States, with breathtaking sunset views and many outdoor recreation facilities amidst nature. Chapin is likewise a haven for travelers looking for a relaxing small-town experience with easy and convenient access to the lake.
Chapin is known as the Capital of Lake Murray and is undoubtedly the best place to be if you want to explore the best of what the beautiful lake offers. This man-made reservoir created from the damming of the Saluda River is home to a range of South Carolina fish species, including striped bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, white catfish, white perch, white bass, bluegill or bream, bullhead catfish, crappie, and redear sunfish. Anglers typically enjoy more success and have a great time fishing in the lake aboard a boat. The town makes this convenient as it offers several boat launches and ramps. The best of these boat ramps include those at Hilton Recreation Area and Rocky Point. The state DNR also maintains several fish attractors designated shoreline fishing points and fishing piers for anglers who do not have boats.
Chapin is a prime location to visit if you are a tournament angler. Lake Murray Country attracts thousands of fishing tournaments every year, many of which are nationally recognized. Bassmasters, Fishing League Worldwide, Oakley Bass, and more have made their way to Chapin, bringing with them anglers looking for an opportunity to break their records with the lake’s prized catch. Lake Murray is consistently voted one of the top 100 bass lakes in the United States, so it’s a great place to challenge your bass fishing skills and land a trophy.
While the lake has no imposed closed season for any of its catch, it does have daily creel and size limits and seasonal regulations for its striper and largemouth bass. Anglers are advised to familiarize themselves with these limits and to equip themselves with fishing gear that allows for safe and proper catch-and-release should they land more than the lake and the state allow.
There are so many water sports you can try on Lake Murray besides fishing. So while you’re in town with family or friends, hop from one marina to another and try your hand at sailing, waterskiing, kayaking, and jet skiing. This is a lakeside destination, so there’s no danger of running out of options.
The Chapin Theater Company, run and managed by the locals, regularly puts up theater shows for the community. Watching community theater is a great way to interact with the town's residents and enjoy some entertainment.