Looking for a running track near Clemson, South Carolina, can be a little harder than it sounds. Clemson University has excellent athletic facilities, but many of them are intended for students, university members, or Clemson athletes rather than everyday public use.
Fortunately, several places around Clemson still offer runners a workout. Options range from a full 400-meter track in nearby Central to public walking tracks and paved running routes.
Joe R. Gilbert Track and Field – Central
Location: 635 Wesleyan Drive, Central, SC
Distance from Clemson: About 5 miles
Track: 400 meters, 8 lanes
Surface: Rubber track
Public access: Yes, during posted public-use times
Joe R. Gilbert Track and Field is probably the best option for someone looking for a traditional running track close to Clemson.
The track is located at Southern Wesleyan University in Central. It opened in 2014 as a partnership involving the university, Pickens County, and the Town of Central.
Unlike many college athletic tracks, the plan included community access. When the facility opened, Southern Wesleyan University President Todd Voss specifically invited members of the public to use it.
The facility has an eight-lane, 400-meter rubber track along with areas for long jump, triple jump, pole vault, javelin, discus, shot put, and other track-and-field events.
Public use is still reported at the facility, but runners should pay attention to the posted public-access times. College practices, meets, and other events can take priority.
Best for
Runners doing timed workouts, intervals, mile repeats, 5K training, or anyone who simply prefers a real track.
Four laps is approximately one mile in the inside lane of a standard 400-meter track.
Bolick Field Walking Track – Central
Location: 110 Pepper Street, Central, SC
Distance from Clemson: About 5 miles
Public access: Public recreation facility
Another easy option near Clemson is Bolick Field.
The Town of Central operates Bolick Field, which includes an outdoor walking track surrounding its football and soccer fields. The town specifically lists the walking track as one of the park’s amenities.
This isn’t the same type of competition track you’ll find at Southern Wesleyan, but that can actually make it a better choice for a casual run or walk.
Because it is a municipal recreation facility, it also avoids some of the uncertainty that comes with trying to use a school or university athletic track.
Best for
Walking, jogging, easy runs, and anyone who wants a simple public exercise loop close to Clemson.
Clemson University Outdoor Track at Fike
Location: Clemson University
Distance: On campus
Track: Approximately 1/3 mile
Fike Recreation Center has both indoor and outdoor running tracks.
The outdoor track runs along Clemson’s Upper Intramural Fields and is approximately 1/3 mile long. That means three laps are roughly one mile.
There is also a climate-controlled indoor track inside the recreation center that measures approximately 1/10 mile.
One important catch for visitors: Clemson recreation facilities have access policies, and university property is not automatically open for unrestricted recreational use by the general public.
For Clemson students, employees, and others who qualify for Campus Recreation access, however, these are some of the most convenient running options in town.
Best for
Clemson students, faculty, staff, and others with Campus Recreation access.
What About Clemson’s Rock Norman Track?
Clemson has a beautiful competition track at the Rock Norman Track and Field Complex.
It is a 10-lane track used by Clemson’s track and field program and is designed for collegiate competition and training.
It might look like the obvious place to go for a run, but it shouldn’t be treated as a public running track. Clemson University facilities are not automatically available for unrestricted public use, and athletic training and competition take priority.
If you’re simply looking for somewhere to run laps, Southern Wesleyan’s track in Central is the much safer choice.
D.W. Daniel High School Track
Location: 1861 Six Mile Highway, Central, SC
Distance from Clemson: About 6 miles
Singleton Field at D.W. Daniel High School includes the school’s track and athletic facilities.
It’s certainly close enough to Clemson to be convenient, but there is an important distinction between a track that exists and a track that is officially open for public exercise.
I could not verify a current Pickens County school policy that gives the general public unrestricted access to the Daniel High track.
For that reason, don’t assume an unlocked gate means the track is open for recreational running. School practices, games, and student activities should always take priority.
If You Don’t Actually Need a Track
Sometimes what runners really want is a safe, relatively flat place where they can get in a few miles without dealing with traffic.
Clemson has a few good alternatives.
The Clemson Dikes
The Dike is one of Clemson’s most recognizable places for an outdoor run.
The route follows the Lake Hartwell shoreline near Clemson University and is regularly used for walking and running.
It isn’t a track, but the lake views make it considerably more interesting than running circles around a football field.
Clemson Experimental Forest
For runners who prefer dirt over pavement, the Clemson Experimental Forest has a large network of trails around Clemson and Central.
This is better suited for trail running than speed workouts. Routes vary considerably in distance and difficulty, so it also offers far more variety than a traditional track.
Doodle Trail
A little farther from Clemson, the Doodle Trail connects Pickens and Easley along an old railroad corridor.
The paved multi-use trail is specifically open for running, walking, bicycling, and rollerblading from dawn to dusk.
The entire route stretches roughly eight miles, making it a much better option for long runs than a traditional track.
The Pickens trailhead is located at 409 E. Cedar Rock Street, while the Easley trailhead is at 514 Fleetwood Drive.
Which Running Track Is Best Near Clemson?
For most people searching for a public running track near Clemson, the answer is fairly simple.
Joe R. Gilbert Track at Southern Wesleyan University is the best choice for a real track workout.
It is only a few miles from Clemson, has a full eight-lane 400-meter track, and the facility has historically welcomed community runners. Just check the posted public-use times when you arrive.
For a more casual run or walk, Bolick Field in Central is another good choice and is operated as a public recreation facility.
Clemson University has excellent tracks of its own, but access is more restricted. Unless you have university recreation privileges, heading a few minutes up Highway 93 toward Central will generally be the easier option.
Quick Guide
| Location | Approx. from Clemson | Type | Public Running |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe R. Gilbert Track | 5 miles | 400m rubber track | Yes, posted times |
| Bolick Field | 5 miles | Outdoor walking track | Yes |
| Fike Outdoor Track | On campus | 1/3-mile paved track | Access restrictions |
| Rock Norman Track | On campus | Competition track | Not general public use |
| Daniel High School | 6 miles | School track | Public access not verified |
| Clemson Dikes | In Clemson | Paved running route | Yes |
| Doodle Trail | 15–20 miles | Paved rail trail | Yes, dawn to dusk |
Before You Go
Track availability can change because of practices, games, meets, maintenance, and special events. This is especially true for tracks located on school and college campuses.
If you’re making a special trip to run at a track, check current access information before heading out.
For the easiest combination of proximity to Clemson, a real 400-meter track, and documented community access, start with Joe R. Gilbert Track at Southern Wesleyan University.
