The BEST Playgrounds, Parks and Trails in Columbia, SC You Need to Know

Hi friends! Just wanted to create this list of local playgrounds, parks and trails in the Columbia SC area as a resource for local families or families that are visiting the area.

My husband has lived in Columbia, SC all his life and has seen the city grow tremendously since he was young. 

I have lived here for 10 years and we have been parents for five years. We have done a lot of exploring as a family both locally and state wide. 

Hopefully this park guide of the Midlands will help you find your next favorite family friendly park or inspire you to get out and explore and visit new places close by! I share all our local (and traveling) adventures on my Instagram @valuemindedmama and I would love for you to follow along.

Columbia

Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park

River access, paved walking trail, Adirondack wooden chairs by the river, hammocks, historic water facility, bathrooms, great place for photography!

Columbia Riverwalk North

Connects to Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park (it’s the other side), bathrooms on this side too, walking trail, river access (for non motor boating, tubing & fishing). Great spot for photography.

West Columbia Riverwalk 

Gorgeous views of the river. Large river rocks. Fishing, water sports like kayaking and tubing. Paved walking trail. Bathrooms at this Main Entrance (off Gervais Bridge by Black Rooster). Connects to the Cayce Riverwalk. Several different entrances. We visit at least once a week.

Carraway Community Park

New playground. Fenced in. Bathrooms and covered picnic tables. Smaller space.

Elmwood/Roy Lynch Park

One of the best Playgrounds in Columbia in my opinion! Splash pad, zip line, two age-appropriate playgrounds, swingset, small paved walking trail, mostly fenced in. Newer, well maintained. Only drawback, no bathrooms.

Owens Field Skate Park & Pump Track

Another one of our favorite parks in the area. Skate park with ramps and bowls, bathrooms, several baseball fields, paved walking trail, nature trail in the woods, inclusive playground with zip line and large swings.

Brand new rubber bike track (called a pump track) exclusive to the Columbia, SC area. It’s located on the other side of the park where the soccer fields are. Also next to a brewery (Hunter Gatherer) that is family friendly!

Pump Track in Columbia, SC (bikes, scooters, skateboard, roller blades)

Saluda Riverwalk

Off 26, really great river access for fishing, tubing, laying out, boating. Nice long paved path. Great spot for photography! Bathrooms at the entrance however parking is terrible and only on the side of the road even though there’s a parking lot.

Sesquicentennial State Park

State park in Columbia, SC! Hiking trail, boat rentals and water access, lots of picnic tables, splash pad, playgrounds and bathrooms. *You do have to pay to get in.

Granby Park

Paved walking path by the river. River access. Closer to the college. Good spot for photography.

Earlewood Park

Cute park with playground equipment in Earlewood

Eric L. Fowler Community Park

Playground, baseball fields, bathrooms

B Avenue Park

Small neighborhood park. Has a baseball field with a playground.

Cayce

Cayce Riverwalk 

Connects to the West Columbia Riverwalk. Several different entrances. Gorgeous view of the river. Large river rocks., Fishing, water sports like canoeing and tubing, paved walking trail, bathrooms at the Main Entrance (off Gervais bridge by Black Rooster).

Granby Gardens

Play ground, small walking trail through the woods, bathrooms, historic Casey museum property & cabin structures, covered picnic tables.

Guignard Park

Off Knox Abbot. Cute little playground with covered picnic tables several covered picnic tables, a little 1 mile loop Trail, creek access is fun for littles.

Howard Park (Howard Sports Complex)

Rubber paved walking/running track, picnic tables, two playgrounds, bathrooms, baseball field (behind Riverbanks Elementary and Northside Middle school)

Timmerman Trail

Paved path in Cayce. Definitely recommend bringing a bike if you want to do the whole thing. No playground or bathrooms, it’s just a long trail in the woods.

Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve

I have never visited here but it looked like a cool spot to check out!

Lexington

Virginia Hylton Park

Really the only decent sized park/playground I know about in Lexington. Paved little walking path, two playgrounds, covered picnic tables, bathrooms. In downtown Lexington.

Springdale Town /City Hall

This is a great park in Springdale and not too far from downtown. Has several little playground areas, newly renovated splash pad, bathrooms and everything is fenced in.

Peachtree Rock

Haven’t been to Peachtree rock in a couple years. But if you’re looking to get out and explore this is a good local spot. The hiking trail is not too long. Little waterfall a short while in. Historic spot!

Irmo

Community Park of Irmo

Best kid’s playground in Irmo. Tons of equipment and different playgrounds. Walking path. Amphitheater for events. Bathrooms!

Saluda Shoals

This is a great park in Irmo! It has several walking trails, an environmental center, several areas for parties, a splash pad, an all inclusive playground. You do have to pay to get in but so much to do (in the warmer months).

Seven Oaks Park

Fun little park with playgrounds, covered picnic tables, long walking path, creek access for wading/playing. Baseball fields. So fun! Don’t remember about bathrooms though.

Dreher Island State Park

State Park with Lake Murray access for boating or swimming. Hiking trails, camping/lodging accommodations, picnic areas with lake views. Love this park!

Irmo Town Park

Walking path, pretty landscaping for picnics and pretty spot for photography. Gazebo and amphitheater. Just a quaint little park. No playground or bathrooms.

Harbison State Forest

Dirt trails for biking, hiking, running. Paid parking.

YMCA splash pads

I haven’t personally used these before, but I heard it’s only $5 per kid without a membership. So that’s a pretty sweet deal, especially in the heat of summer.

Chapin

Palmetto Trail

An old railway trestle bridge starts the Peak to Prosperity Passage on the Palmetto Trail. Lots of cool trails & bridges on this path.

Melvin park

I have not visited but someone local told me about it. Looks like a splash pad, covered picnic tables and baseball fields.

Hopkins

Congaree National Park

Hiking trails, canoeing & kayaking, fishing, camping. So much to see and explore here. We watch the fireflies every season.

We also have some great State Parks other than the two mentioned here. The closest ones are around an hour away and free or low cost to visit. We’re visiting all 47 State Parks with their Ultimate Outsiders Program if you want to follow along with our adventures on Instagram.

I hope this list of playgrounds and parks helps you find a fun place your family loves and enjoy exploring some of the others from this guide! Tag me on Instagram @valuemindedmama if you visit one of the parks from this list. I would love to see your adventures!

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