Uncovering Popular Outdoor Parks in Columbia, SC
In case you’re contemplating transferring to Columbia, SC, you’re in luck. This charming Southern metropolis has lots to supply, together with quite a lot of outside actions that cater to all pursuits to these residing in Columbia, or presumably pondering of transferring there. Whether or not you’re an avid hiker, a fan of water sports activities, or just take pleasure in 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 all over the world, to Sesquicentennial State Park, which boasts a 30-acre lake for fishing and boating, Columbia has no scarcity of enjoyable outside sights.
Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at a number of the greatest parks and outside 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 residence 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 all over the world, 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 present outlets and a practice journey 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 may also take pleasure in picnic areas, playgrounds, and a canine park. The park additionally incorporates a seasonal swimming space and a splash pad. Sesquicentennial State Park is a real outside paradise with an enormous vary of actions to supply. The mountaineering trails vary from simple to troublesome, providing scenic views of the lake and nature. The fishing lake is stocked with bass, bream, catfish, and different fish species, offering an amazing spot for anglers of all ranges.
The park additionally presents a number of tenting choices, together with commonplace campsites and a primitive group campsite, for guests who want to immerse themselves in nature and spend the night time underneath the celebrities. With its various vary of actions and facilities, Sesquicentennial State Park is a good vacation spot for teams, nature lovers, and outside 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 may also take pleasure in 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 supplies a serene and tranquil setting for guests to loosen up and unwind. The park additionally presents guided nature excursions and academic packages, making it an amazing vacation spot for varsity journeys and nature lovers.
Moreover, Saluda Shoals Park is residence to the Environmental Schooling 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 may also take pleasure in a number of eating choices, together with a pizza restaurant and an ice cream store. For these looking for a bit of pleasant competitors, the park additionally presents laser tag and quite a lot of arcade video games.
5. Finlay Park
Finlay Park is a wonderful 18-acre park positioned within the coronary heart of downtown Columbia, SC. The park presents quite a lot of outside actions, together with strolling and jogging paths, a splash pad, a playground, and picnic areas. The park can be residence to the Wheeler Hill Group Backyard, which options a number of plots that may be rented out by people and organizations. The park is thought for internet hosting lots of the metropolis’s outside occasions and festivals, together with the annual Jam Room Music Competition and the Rosewood Crawfish Competition.
Along with its many facilities, Finlay Park additionally boasts a wonderful fountain and a number of other items of public artwork, together with a sculpture of a large 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 outdoors of Columbia, SC. The park is residence 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 may also take pleasure in ranger-led packages, together with guided hikes and stargazing occasions, in addition to quite a lot of academic displays on the Harry Hampton Customer Middle. The park can be residence to quite a lot of wildlife, together with deer, wild turkeys, and river otters, making it an amazing vacation spot for nature lovers and outside lovers.
7. South Carolina State Honest
Okay, perhaps it’s not technically a park however the South Carolina State Honest is among the most extremely anticipated occasions of the 12 months in Columbia, SC, and roughly the scale of a park. Held yearly in October, the honest options a variety of actions and sights 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 exhibits, arts and crafts shows, and cooking contests. Guests may also take pleasure in dwell 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 basic honest meals like funnel truffles, corn canines, and fried Oreos.
One distinctive function 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 supplies scholarships and grants to college students pursuing greater training in these fields. With its energetic ambiance, thrilling sights, 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 sights, together with water slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river that winds via the park. Guests may also loosen up within the park’s many lounge areas or take pleasure in a meal at one of many a number of eating choices out there, together with a snack bar and grill. The park presents personal cabana leases, making it an amazing selection for teams who wish to have their very own personal oasis.
9. Dreher Island State Park
Dreher Island State Park is a real outside 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 wish to spend the day on the water. The park additionally boasts a number of mountaineering and biking trails that provide gorgeous views of the lake and surrounding forests. For individuals who want to spend the night time, Dreher Island State Park presents quite a lot of tenting choices, together with RV and tent websites that present easy accessibility to the lake and different park facilities.
10. Harbison State Forest
Harbison State Forest is a 2,177-acre lovely pure oasis positioned just some 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 may also take pleasure in a canoe launch that gives entry to the Broad River, in addition to a number of picnic areas that provide lovely views of the forest and surrounding wildlife. Harbison State Forest is residence to quite a lot of wildlife, together with deer, turkeys, and different native species, making it an amazing vacation spot for nature lovers and outside lovers alike.
