Make Irmo, South Carolina Your Home

The Town of Irmo and the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome you to our community.  We hope the friendly attitude of our people, beautiful Lake Murray, and the many great entertainment opportunities that await you and your family, will make you love this area the way we do! Below we have a complete guide to help you plan your trip. Scroll down to learn more or click one of the links to quickly jump to the section you need.

Hotel & Lodging  | Dining & ShoppingFun & Sun  | Visitor Resources 

Lake Murray

Hotel & Lodging

When you visit Irmo, South Carolina we want you to be comfortable and rest while you are here. We offer you some of the best lodging options in the Midlands. From full service hotels to camp sites on the lake, we have a bed that fits your needs.

Homeowners Associations in Irmo SC

Hotels

Irmo is located near the state capital so we are home to many hotels with familiar names, from Double Tree by Hilton to Residence Inn by Marriot and everything in between. Click here to find your favorite and earn points while you visit!

Luxury Apartment Communities

Camping

We are not far from Dreher Island State Park, home to camping areas that have scenic views and easy shoreline access. To plan your camping trip click here!

Dining & Shopping

Here in Irmo, our shopping and dining selection are second to none, ranging from the small town atmosphere and personal service of our outstanding mom and pops to the sophisticated nationally known chains with vast selections and friendly helpful personnel. 

Number one school district in South Carolina

Dining

Our diverse community is home to cuisines from around the world. You will find your southern favorites complete with sweet tea and homemade biscuits.  Or you can travel the world, tasting a little bit of everything from the Mediterranean to East Asia without the jet lag! Click to find out more!

Midlands Technical College offers Higher Education in Irmo SC

Shopping

Within our town limits, we are home to 100’s of thriving businesses ready for you to walk through their doors. Enjoy a weekend shopping our flagship stores or the independently owned boutiques that are home to our local artisans. You will never know what you will find, click to learn more!

Recreational Activities

As we mentioned above, Irmo is located between Lake Murray and the Harbison State Forest, which means we have plenty of wonderful outdoor activities for all ages and abilities! Enjoy a family picnic at Saluda Shoals Park or have a family fun day at Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center. If shopping and fine dining is more your style, Irmo boast a thriving business community with national chains as well as some locally owned hot spots.

The Great Outdoors!

The Great Outdoors

Irmo, South Carolina is home to large areas of wilderness, so you won’t have to venture more than 10 minutes from your room or tent to spend the day amongst the trees. Enjoy your time hiking, biking or bird watching in one of our many parks or the Harbison State Forest.

Fun Day on Lake Murray

The Wide Open Waves

If spending your vacation amongst the waves is your ideal way to unwind then Irmo, South Carolina is the destination for you. Conveniently located off the northern shore of Lake Murray, our little town is sandwiched in by the Broad and Saluda Rivers providing you with endless locations for fishing, boating, swimming and more!

Community Events In Irmo South Carolina

Community Events

Irmo South Carolina is a strong community and we like to get to know our neighbors. We are home to two beautiful town parks and the Irmo Okra Strut is one of the biggest events in the area. This two day festival at the end of September, offers plenty of family fun and a free concert each night in Irmo Community Park

Arts and entertainment in the Irmo Community

Arts and Entertainment

Irmo, South Carolina is the proud home of two live performance theaters, Harbison Theater at Midlands Technical College and the Irmo High School International School for the Arts. Both showcase new productions every season.  You will also find plenty of local artists and musicians in the Irmo community. Find out more on our events calendar. 

Visitor Resources

Some unknown philosopher once said “Southerners can claim kin with anybody. It’s one of our most dexterous talents.” Well, that is true, so you can expect to be greeted with open arms and a nice cold glass of sweet tea once you arrive. Here are the links you need to ensure your visit here is as relaxing as watching a sunset in a rocking chair. 

Transportation Services

Irmo, South Carolina is about 15 miles from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport and conveniently located off I-20 and I-26 with easy access to I-77. You can find rental car options at the airport. For bus or train options we recommend the Amtrak Station in Columbia SC.  

Lake Murray

Lake Murray, at the time of construction, had the largest earthen dam ever built – completed in 1930.
Shoreline: 620 miles (GSI survey in 2004), Acreage: 50,000 (78 square miles), Width: 14 miles maximum, Length: 41 miles maximum, Full: 360 ft, Capacity: 754 billion gallons, Dam Height: 215 ft., Intake Towers Height: 223 ft., Named for: Williams S. Murray, engineer.

For more information visit Dominion Energy’s Lake Murray page

Department of Natural Resources

The Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) vision for South Carolina is an enhanced quality of life for present and future generations through improved understanding, wise use, and safe enjoyment of healthy, diverse, sustainable and accessible natural resources. They achieve this through licensing regulation and limits on hunting and/or fishing. To help make your visit to Irmo that much simpler, we have provided some quick DNR links for your below. 

Click here for Fishing Rules and Guidelines.
Click here for Hunting Rules and Guidelines.  
Click here for non-resident Fishing and Hunting License pricing. 

 

Creating Community through People, Parks & Programs

The Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission offers the following programs and activities at our parks: After School Programs – Athletics – Camps – Team Building – Educational Programs – Environmental Education – Health & Wellness – Facility Rentals – Senior Services – Therapeutic Recreation, The Arts – Travel – Special Events.

For more information, visit our web site at www.icrc.net.

Guided Canoe Trips at Saluda Shoals Park

Come out to Saluda Shoals Park for an exciting guided canoe trip on the Saluda River and see nature at its best. Individuals and families with children age 6 and up are welcome and trips must be reserved in advance. Return shuttle service to the park is provided. Daily and hourly canoe and kayak rentals are also available.

Call 731-5208 for more information.

Guided Horseback Trail Rides at Shoals Park

Learn how to horseback ride or simply improve your skills. No previous experience is necessary but riders must be at least 8 years of age to participate. Everyone is required to wear a helmet (provided). Trail rides last about one hour and include a brief instructional period. Riders should wear long pants and boots or sturdy lace-up shoes. Ages 8-older.

Please call the Saluda Shoals Park Environmental Center for more information at (803) 213-2053.

Horseback trail passes are also available for riders with their own horses. Call 731-5208 for details.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

500 Wild Live Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 779-8717
www.riverbanks.org

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is home to more than 2,000 magnificent and fascinating animals and one of the nation’s most beautiful and inspiring botanical gardens. More than 350 species from around the world are represented at the Zoo. A visit to the Zoo will play host to an array of wild adventures – from a diving expedition on a Pacific coral reef to a safari through the plains of Africa to an interactive Outback encounter with a flock of sociable lorikeets.

Whether it’s a spectacular bloom, a mass of color or an unusual plant structure, there’s always something growing on at Riverbanks Botanical Garden! Hailed by Horticulture magazine as one of 10 gardens that inspire and by HGTV as one of 20 great public gardens across America, Riverbanks Botanical Garden boasts 70 acres of unparalleled beauty. Dramatic and themed gardens showcase more than 4,200 species of native and exotic plants, providing a living classroom for gardeners and non-gardeners alike and an ideal location for weddings and special events. In contrast, natural river views and valley overlooks in the adjacent woodlands blaze a scenic trail to historic ruins from the 1800s.

For more than 30 years, Riverbanks has provided individuals, families and groups with a common place to connect with and learn about the world’s wildlife and wild places. The lush 170-acre site features dynamic natural habitat exhibits, scenic river views, spectacular valley overlooks and significant historic landmarks. Twice awarded the Governor’s Cup for South Carolina’s Most Outstanding Tourist Attraction, Riverbanks is the premier family choice for education and recreation in the Southeast.

Riverbanks Sales Department offers an array of opportunities for discount tickets, company picnics, private facility rentals, and other exciting ways to reward loyal employees and clients.

Go online www.riverbanks.org or call 779-8717 x1254 for more information.

Billy Dreher Island State Park – on Lake Murray

3677 State Park Rd. Prosperity, SC 29127
(803) 364-4152

Billy Dreher Island State Park is a great place to picnic on Lake Murray
Dominion provides numerous public access areas and hiking trails. 

Irmo History

Irmo was incorporated in 1890 and flourished along the tracks of Columbia, Newberry and Laurens railroads on the high ridge between the river. The name of Irmo was derived from the names of two railroad officials, C.J. Iredell and H.C. Moseley. Irmo is divided by Richland County on the northwest and Lexington County on the southeast. Located off the shore of Lake Murray and only ten miles from Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, Irmo was a sleepy little town of 500 people in the early 1970’s. Today with more than 12,000 residents, Irmo is one of the most sought after places to live in South Carolina. While you are here, enjoy a tour of the Town’s past with our historic photos housed in the Chamber Office.