In the event you’re contemplating shifting to Columbia, SC, you’re in luck. This charming Southern metropolis has loads to supply, together with quite a lot of out of doors actions that cater to all pursuits to these residing in Columbia, or presumably considering of shifting there. Whether or not you’re an avid hiker, a fan of water sports activities, or just get pleasure from spending time in nature, there’s a park in or close by Columbia that’s good for you. From Riverbanks Zoo and Backyard, which options over 2,000 animals from around the globe, to Sesquicentennial State Park, which boasts a 30-acre lake for fishing and boating, Columbia has no scarcity of enjoyable out of doors points of interest.
Let’s take a better have a look at a few of the greatest parks and out of doors areas in and close to Columbia, SC, as a result of whether or not you’re shopping for a brand new home or renting an condo within the space, you’ll discover loads of choices on this vibrant and welcoming metropolis.
1. Riverbanks Zoo and Backyard
Situated on the Saluda river close to downtown Columbia, Riverbanks Zoo and Backyard is a 170-acre zoological park and botanical backyard. Guests can discover the zoo and see greater than 2,000 animals from around the globe, together with lions, tigers, gorillas, and penguins. The backyard additionally options quite a lot of plant species, together with orchids and roses. Prepare for journey as a result of the park additionally features a ropes course, a zipper line, and a splash pad. There are a number of eating choices out there, in addition to reward retailers and a practice trip via the park.
2. Sesquicentennial State Park
Sesquicentennial State Park is a 1,400-acre park positioned in Columbia, SC. The park features a 30-acre lake for fishing and boating, in addition to a number of mountaineering and biking trails. Guests also can get pleasure from picnic areas, playgrounds, and a canine park. The park additionally includes a seasonal swimming space and a splash pad. Sesquicentennial State Park is a real out of doors paradise with an enormous vary of actions to supply. The mountaineering trails vary from simple to tough, providing scenic views of the lake and nature. The fishing lake is stocked with bass, bream, catfish, and different fish species, offering an excellent spot for anglers of all ranges.
The park additionally presents a number of tenting choices, together with customary campsites and a primitive group campsite, for guests who want to immerse themselves in nature and spend the evening beneath the celebrities. With its various vary of actions and facilities, Sesquicentennial State Park is a superb vacation spot for teams, nature lovers, and out of doors adventurers alike.
3. Saluda Shoals Park
Saluda Shoals Park is a 400-acre park positioned in Columbia, SC. The park options a number of mountaineering and biking trails, in addition to a kayak and canoe launch. Guests also can get pleasure from a playground, picnic areas, and a canine park. The park additionally features a seasonal water park with a lazy river, water slides, and a wave pool. What makes Saluda Shoals Park actually distinctive is its lovely location alongside the Saluda River, which gives a serene and tranquil setting for guests to chill out and unwind. The park additionally presents guided nature excursions and academic packages, making it an excellent vacation spot for varsity journeys and nature lovers.
Moreover, Saluda Shoals Park is dwelling to the Environmental Training Middle, which options interactive displays and shows that educate guests concerning the pure world and environmental conservation efforts. With its gorgeous location and academic alternatives, Saluda Shoals Park is a must-visit vacation spot for anybody trying to discover the good outdoor in Columbia, SC.
4. Frankie’s Enjoyable Park
Frankie’s Enjoyable Park is an amusement park positioned in Columbia, SC. The park options go-karts, mini-golf, batting cages, laser tag, and quite a lot of arcade video games. Guests also can get pleasure from a number of eating choices, together with a pizza restaurant and an ice cream store. For these in search of slightly pleasant competitors, the park additionally presents laser tag and quite a lot of arcade video games.
5. Finlay Park
Finlay Park is an attractive 18-acre park positioned within the coronary heart of downtown Columbia, SC. The park presents quite a lot of out of doors actions, together with strolling and jogging paths, a splash pad, a playground, and picnic areas. The park can be dwelling to the Wheeler Hill Neighborhood Backyard, which options a number of plots that may be rented out by people and organizations. The park is thought for internet hosting most of the metropolis’s out of doors occasions and festivals, together with the annual Jam Room Music Pageant and the Rosewood Crawfish Pageant.
Along with its many facilities, Finlay Park additionally boasts an attractive fountain and a number of other items of public artwork, together with a sculpture of an enormous firefly. With its central location and wide selection of actions, Finlay Park is a well-liked vacation spot for each vacationers and locals alike.
6. Congaree Nationwide Park
Congaree Nationwide Park is a 27,000-acre park positioned simply exterior of Columbia, SC. The park is dwelling to one of many largest intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forests within the Southeast, in addition to a number of mountaineering trails and canoeing alternatives. Guests also can get pleasure from ranger-led packages, together with guided hikes and stargazing occasions, in addition to quite a lot of instructional displays on the Harry Hampton Customer Middle. The park can be dwelling to quite a lot of wildlife, together with deer, wild turkeys, and river otters, making it an excellent vacation spot for nature lovers and out of doors lovers.
7. South Carolina State Honest
Okay, possibly it’s not technically a park however the South Carolina State Honest is among the most extremely anticipated occasions of the yr in Columbia, SC, and roughly the dimensions of a park. Held yearly in October, the honest options a variety of actions and points of interest that cater to guests of all ages. Along with the carnival rides and video games, the honest additionally presents quite a lot of displays and competitions, together with livestock reveals, arts and crafts shows, and cooking contests. Guests also can get pleasure from stay leisure on a number of levels all through the fairgrounds, that includes native and nationwide acts, in addition to quite a lot of meals distributors providing traditional honest meals like funnel muffins, corn canine, and fried Oreos.
One distinctive characteristic of the South Carolina State Honest is its dedication to training, with a number of displays and packages designed to show guests about agriculture, science, and the humanities. The honest additionally gives scholarships and grants to college students pursuing larger training in these fields. With its vigorous environment, thrilling points of interest, and dedication to training, the South Carolina State Honest attracts guests from throughout the state and past.
8. Palmetto Falls Water Park
Palmetto Falls Water Park is the right vacation spot for anybody trying to beat the summer time warmth in Columbia, SC. The park options quite a lot of thrilling water points of interest, together with water slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river that winds via the park. Guests also can chill out within the park’s many lounge areas or get pleasure from a meal at one of many a number of eating choices out there, together with a snack bar and grill. The park presents non-public cabana leases, making it an excellent selection for teams who need to have their very own non-public oasis.
9. Dreher Island State Park
Dreher Island State Park is a real out of doors paradise for guests who love water sports activities and tenting. Situated on the shores of Lake Murray, the park presents a ship ramp and fishing pier for guests who need to spend the day on the water. The park additionally boasts a number of mountaineering and biking trails that supply gorgeous views of the lake and surrounding forests. For many who want to spend the evening, Dreher Island State Park presents quite a lot of tenting choices, together with RV and tent websites that present quick access to the lake and different park facilities.
10. Harbison State Forest
Harbison State Forest is a 2,177-acre lovely pure oasis positioned only a few miles from downtown Columbia, SC. The forest options a number of mountaineering and biking trails that wind via its lush forests and rolling hills. Guests also can get pleasure from a canoe launch that gives entry to the Broad River, in addition to a number of picnic areas that supply lovely views of the forest and surrounding wildlife. Harbison State Forest is dwelling to quite a lot of wildlife, together with deer, turkeys, and different native species, making it an excellent vacation spot for nature lovers and out of doors lovers alike.
