State Park

Dreher Island State Park

Newberry County, South CarolinaAbout 352 acresEstablished 1990

Also known as Billy Dreher Island State Park

Status
Open (per official listing)Daily sunrise – sunset
Entrance fee
$6 per adultAnnual pass available
Day-use reservations
None mentioned
Dogs
Dogs allowed, with restrictions6-ft leash
Camping
112 campsitesAlso cabins, glamping or camper cabins
Official site
southcarolinaparks.com(803) 364-4152

Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current

Current alerts 1

Alert Park NewsThe Boo Bash at Dreher Island will be held on Saturday, October 31. Get more details, here. Please be advised that swimming is NOT PERMITTED in the… (more)

The Boo Bash at Dreher Island will be held on Saturday, October 31. Get more details, here. Please be advised that swimming is NOT PERMITTED in the following areas at the park: Marina Area Muddy Bay Outpost (old office area) Boat Ramp Areas Courtesy Docks Campground (unless you have a site rented) Villa Area and Dock ALL camping, camper cabin & villa guests should check-in at the Tackle Shop before proceeding to their cabin, villa or campsite.

Posted by the park. Official alert

Overview

In Newberry County, about 12 miles west of Irmo, Dreher Island State Park covers about 352 acres.

Things to do include historic sites, boating, swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are 112 campsites across 2 camping areas (RV sites and tent sites). Roofed lodging includes cabins and camper cabins or similar shelters.

Hours

Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.

FacilityDaysHoursSeason
ParkDailysunrise – sunset—
OfficeDaily8 a.m. – 5 p.m.—
StoreDaily7 a.m. – 5 p.m.Peak season
Official wording

M-Su dawn to dusk

8am-5pm, daily

STORE HOURS: 7am-5pm daily (extended during peak season)

Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).

Fees and passes

ItemAmount
$6 adults;$6 · adult
$3.75 SC seniors;$3.75 · senior
$3.50 children age 6-15; age 5 & under free.$3.50 · child
Official wording

$6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors; $3.50 children age 6-15; age 5 & under free.

South Carolina park passes

From the South Carolina state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.

Reservations

Day use
No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
Booking system
SC State Parks reservation system (reserve.southcarolinaparks.com)
Phone
1-866-345-PARK (7275)

Check availability and book

We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.

Pets

Dogs allowed, with restrictions · leash up to 6 feet

Not allowed in or on: the villas or the villa areas; the camper cabin area prior to january 1.

Beginning January 1, 2020, pets will be allowed in camper cabins 2-5. Pets are not allowed in the villas or the villa areas. Pets are allowed in most other outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife. Pets are not allowed in the camper cabin area prior to January 1, 2020. Beginning January 1, 2020, pets will be allowed in camper cabins 2-5. Pets are not allowed in the villas or the villa areas. Pets are allowed in most other outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife. Pets are not allowed in the camper cabin area prior to January 1, 2020.

Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.

Camping

Campground or site typeSitesHookups / featuresPrice
Standard Sites with Elec. & Water97Standard Sites with Elec. & WaterShowersRVs up to 45—
Designated Tent Sites15ShowersRVs up to 45—
Camping details from the park

Camping Information: Two lakefront camping areas have scenic views and easy access to the shoreline of Lake Murray. Ninety-seven paved sites may be used by both RVs and tents, while 15 sites are for tent campers only.

Each site has water and electrical hook-ups and a picnic table. Many sites accommodate RVs up to 45 feet, others up to 30 feet.

All sites are convenient to hot showers and restrooms.

Standard Sites with Elec. & Water: 97 sites

Designated Tent Sites: 15 sites

Primitive Group Area: A primitive group camping area is ideal for organized youth groups.

(An organized group is defined as a group that holds regular meetings and has a lead officer or elected/appointed officials.)

The area includes central water and picnic tables.

Reservations are accepted. To make a primitive group camping reservation, contact the park directly.

Minimum rate is $11 -13.50 which allows up to 10 campers. The rate increases by $5-6.50 increments for each additional five campers, up to 25 campers.

From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.

Cabins and lodging

  • Cabins/Villas: 15 units

Lodging Information: We have two different lodging options available at Dreher Island State Park.

Five lakeside villas include linens, basic cooking and eating utensils, heat, air conditioning, gas fire logs, microwave, satellite television, automatic coffee maker, screened porch, outside grill and picnic table. A three-bedroom villa is user friendly for the physically impaired.

Ten camper cabins are also available for rent on a year-round basis. These cabins provide the camping experience for those who prefer a roof over their head. The cabins are 12 x 12 feet and include: one set of bunk beds, one double bed, a front porch facing the lake, a microwave and mini-refrigerator, heating and air conditioning, indoor lights and electrical outlets. There is no running water inside the camper cabin, and linens are not provided. All cooking must also be done outside. A water spigot, fire ring and grill are located onsite and guests have access to centrally located restrooms.

Read more from the park

Two Bedroom Cabin/Villa: Two 2-bedroom/2-bath villas accommodate up to four people.

The two-bedroom villas include one king bed and one queen bed.

Three Bedroom Cabin/Villa: Three 3-bedroom/2-bath villas accommodate up to six people.

The three-bedroom villas have a queen bed in each of the bedrooms.

Cabins/Villas: 15

Things to do

FishingBoatingPicnickingWildlife viewing and birdingHikingHistoric sites and toursCampingSwimming

Trails

TrailLengthDifficultyNotes
Little Gap Trail2.1 mi—Length: 2.1 milesHiking Trail
Billy Dreher Nature Trail0.3 mi—Length: 0.3 milesHiking Trail
Bicycle Bypass Trail0.3 mi—Length: 0.3 milesHiking and Mountain Biking Trail
Trail descriptions from the park

Little Gap Trail

Length: 2.1 miles

Type: Hiking Trail

Difficulty:

Description: Starting from the kiosk on Yellow Poplar Drive, the Little Gap Trail is the most strenuous of the three trails in the park. Following the trail markers on the trees, you will wander up and down through a thick forest of pines and hardwoods, which is home to a number of animals and birds. You may also be lucky enough to sight a bald eagle that nests in this area. Some interesting white rocks line the trail in spots as you make a loop at the end of the peninsula.

Billy Dreher Nature Trail

Length: 0.3 miles

Type: Hiking Trail

Difficulty:

Description: The Billy Dreher Nature Trail is a short easy walking loop on a peninsula, which passes the ruins at the former site of the Billy Dreher home. You may see ducks, geese, and turtles as you pass along the shoreline.

Bicycle Bypass Trail

Length: 0.3 miles

Type: Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail

Difficulty:

Description: The Bicycle Bypass is a short, multi­use linear trail which bisects the State Park Loop Road, connecting the camping area and the tackle shop. You can walk or ride safely through this wooded area, avoiding the narrow paved loop road.

Swimming

Swimming: Swimming is permitted in Lake Murrary. The park has NO designated swimming area. All swimming is at your own risk.

Boating and paddling

Boating and Boat Access: Three boat ramps provides private boat access to Lake Murray.

Fishing

Fishing Information: Enjoy fishing in Lake Murray for several species of bass including largemouth and stripers, catfish, bream, crappie and yellow perch.

Tackle Loaner Program: This park participates in the Tackle Loaner Program sponsored by the SC Dept. of Natural Resources. Rods and reels are available for loan at the park store.

A state fishing license is usually required.

Amenities

Facilities

  • Picnic shelters
  • Playground
  • Wi-Fi
  • EV charging
  • Group facilities

Water

  • Boat ramp

Camping

  • RV dump station
  • Tent camping
  • RV camping

Lodging

  • Cabins
  • Glamping or camper cabins

✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.

Getting there

Address
3677 State Park RD
Prosperity, SC 29127
Nearest town
Irmo — about 12 mi west (straight line)
Coordinates
34.0822, -81.4036 (from Wikidata)
Phone
(803) 364-4152
Email
dreherisland@scprt.com

Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)

Nearby state parks

Sources and freshness

“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology

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