After a long day glued to our couches, desks and computer screens, the one thing we all need to get us out of our Zoom lives is some fresh air and Vitamin D. Luckily, spring is just around the corner and Clemson’s beautiful campus and city gives us ample opportunities to enjoy ourselves outside. Below are five opportunities we all have to get outside here at Clemson, escape the dreariness of our dorms and apartments and switch up our ceaseless every-day schedules.
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Head to Y-Beach! I’ve been enjoying my time at Y-beach since freshman year because there is something there for every season and it is less than 5 minutes away from campus! The beach recently reopened for students and is open from 12:00pm-6:00pm on weekdays and 10:00am-6:00pm on weekends! Y-Beach has something for everyone. You can enjoy playing volleyball, swimming or even just relaxing on the beach. You can rent kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards and other outdoor supplies at the Andy Quattlebaum Outdoor Education Center, which is directly next to the beach. You can even visit the nearby education center to work on homework with your friends with a stunning view of Lake Hartwell. Check out Y-beach to spend the day playing sports, to get a quick workout in or to catch one of Clemson’s breathtaking sunsets on the water.
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Take a walk on the Dikes! The Dikes are a large wall next to Lake Hartwell that have a walking trail on top and are located on the edge of the Clemson campus. The Dikes provide a beautiful view of Lake Hartwell and are the perfect place to go on an early morning run with your dog, take a leisurely stroll with your friends or get some perfect sunset photo-ops. Because they are so conveniently located close to campus, downtown and many of the popular apartment complexes, it’s the perfect opportunity to get some exercise and enjoy Clemson’s beautiful weather.
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Take a walk on campus! This one might seem a little obvious for freshman and sophomores who spend everyday walking around campus, but for upperclassmen like me who don’t remember the last time they strolled across library bridge or heard the everlasting echo of Tillman’s bells, this is a special experience. Head back on campus to visit your freshman dorm, favorite lunch spot or least favorite classroom building to recollect on some old memories and spend some time outside. Although the vacancy of our campus might be a bit unnerving, I found that taking a leisurely stroll gave me more opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of the campus.
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Visit Waldrop Stone Falls! Although this trail is a 10 minute drive from Clemson’s campus, it serves as a great opportunity to experience Clemson’s beautiful forests and nature. The hiking trail itself is only 0.8 miles round trip and at the end of the trail is a stunning, 30-foot waterfall that is previously known as Clemson Falls. This trail is suitable for everyone from beginners to die-hard hikers and is the perfect place to bring along pets and friends.
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Visit Mountain View Park! This park is only 5 minutes away from Clemson and is located directly on Lake Hartwell with stunning views of the rolling hills and beautiful water. The trail is 1 mile round trip and is a perfect place to bring food and drinks for a relaxing picnic at one of the many picnic tables or even to bring a frisbee to play some disc golf! The park includes a 9-hole disc golf course and the hiking trail is perfect for beginner hikers or bikers.
