This time of year, no matter what’s going on in the world, people will always want to get outside.
“The need for outdoor recreation, it’s so much a part of who we are as America,” offers Rich Harrill, director of the University of South Carolina’s International Tourism Research Institute. “That will never stop.”
And so, as South Carolina continues to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic, many in Columbia will start turning to the area’s wide selection of local and state parks (and one national park) for recreation. All of the Midlands’ major parks and recreation agencies are offering at least some level of access to their outdoor areas, and you’ll find several options — along with the level of access they allow right now — listed below.
This week, the City of Columbia moves into the second of five planned phases that will culminate in its park system’s full reopening on Aug. 3. The city is inviting citizens back to its tennis courts (singles and doubles only, no group lessons) and athletic fields (no more than four people allowed) as well as dog parks, skate parks and bicycle pump tracks on May 25.
Greenspaces and walking trails came back online on May 12. Youth and adult league play and organized games on fields can start on Aug. 3.
And for those who fear that social distancing might prove difficult, Assistant City Manager Henry Simons reports that recent crowds have been doing well in that regard.
“We have people that are just walking the trail, running and practicing social distancing,” he says. “So those things we feel have worked well on our greenways, Riverfront Park in particular, that’s where a lot of our activity is. We do feel like people are abiding by our request. Now initially, in the beginning, I think it was a challenge, but once we got into it and got our appropriate signage out and direction, then people began to comply.”
Harrill recommends visiting different areas of parks than you normally would if you’re worried about crowds, eschewing popular gathering spots to keep things spaced out.
“This is kind of a game changer, and I believe that, no matter the guidelines, people’s behavior will change,” the professor posits. “People will exercise more caution. People will give each other more space. No matter what the guidelines come down, I think people will be more aware of how they can enjoy themselves, and really avoid places that are maybe a little too crowded.”
Three Rivers Greenway
803-765-2200, riveralliance.org. A partnership between local governments, the River Alliance has spent years building segments of the Three Rivers Greenway, a linear park along the Saluda, Broad and Congaree rivers. Popular for walking, biking and jogging. Below are specific sections of the greenway.
Cayce Riverwalk
Cayce: Axtell Drive and Naples Avenue, 803-550-9520, cityofcayce-sc.gov/riverwalk.asp. Of all the local governments that have built sections of the Three Rivers Greenway, Cayce has gone above and beyond, extending miles of trail south along the Congaree River, including the 12,000 Year History Park, a National Park Service partnership that highlights the area’s history from the Ice Age to the Civil War; and the Timmerman Trail, a wooded 3.5-mile stretch of pathway that connects to Dominion Energy’s Cayce facility. The greenway, along with all City of Cayce parks, is now reopened.
Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park
Downtown: 312 Laurel St., 803-545-3100, columbiasc.net. The City of Columbia’s Riverfront Park is a popular trail and park encompassing 167 acres just west of Huger Street and stretching north of Broad River Road. A paved trail runs north along the historic Columbia Canal levee. It was reopened earlier this month.
Saluda Riverwalk
Candi Lane: columbiac.net. Slated to open this year, the Saluda Riverwalk will run along the Lower Saluda River near Riverbanks Zoo. A bridge is in the works to connect it to Columbia’s greenways.
West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater
West Columbia: Meeting Street and Alexander Road, 803-791-1880, westcolumbiasc.gov. This section of the Three Rivers Greenway — running along the west side of Congaree River and under the Gervais Street and Blossom Street bridges — offers some fantastic views and is a popular place for people to jog and walk dogs. Amenities include an inclusive playground, picnic tables, a riverside amphitheater and a canoe launch bay. Park is open, restrooms are closed due to COVID-19.
Congaree National Park
Hopkins: 100 National Park Rd., 803-776-4396, nps.gov/cong. This 26,000-acre park boasts the largest old-growth floodplain forest on the continent — and you can view it from the park’s 2.4 miles of elevated boardwalk, among other trails. It’s also an International Biosphere Reserve, a Globally Important Bird Area and a National Natural Landmark. Activities include hiking, boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, nature walks and more. And, yes, this is where you can see the rare synchronous fireflies in May and June. Located near Hopkins, 20 miles southeast of Columbia (S.C. 48/ Bluff Road, which is exit 5 off I-77). Will reopen its “backcountry” section on May 28.
Dreher Island State Recreation Area
Prosperity: 3677 State Park Rd., 803-364-4152, southcarolinaparks.com/dreher-island. Accessed from the north side of Lake Murray, near Chapin, the Dreher Island recreation area consists of three islands encompassing 12 miles of shoreline. Especially popular for fishing and boating (Lake Murray is a top destination for striped and largemouth bass), Dreher Island also offers lakefront camping, cabin and villa rentals, water skiing and picnicking. It’s also a quiet, peaceful place for spring walks. State parks are open.
Harbison State Forest
Harbison/Irmo: Broad River Rd. (off I-26 ext 101), 803-896-8897, state.sc.us/forest/refharb.htm. A short drive out of Columbia proper is 2,177 acres of forest off of Broad River Road that has oodles of easygoing roads and trails and a canoe landing. Terrific for mountain biking, a casual stroll or a run, Harbison is a surprising gem in close proximity to the metro area.
Sam Faucette plays disc golf at Earlwood park.
Earlewood Park
North Columbia: 1113 Parkside Drive, 803-545-3100, columbiasc.net/parks-recreation. Located near the train trestle on North Main Street near Eau Claire and stretching up into the Earlewood neighborhood, Earlewood Park offers a dog park and a state-of-the-art disc golf course. Great for walking, hiking.
Owens Field
Rosewood: 1351 Jim Hamilton Blvd., 803-545-3100, columbiasc.net/parks-recreation. Maybe you go to Owens Field for soccer, maybe you head there to skate or play basketball. Surrounding the fields and skate park, though, is also a popular disc golf course.
Palmetto Trail
803-771-0870, palmettoconservation.org/palmetto-trail. Conceived in 1994 as a statewide series of linked trails — one of only 16 in the country — the Palmetto Trail, run by the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, features 500 miles of completed paths thus far. Key local sections include a sandy trail at Fort Jackson and a converted railway bed between the towns of Peak and Prosperity. The trail is open.
Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve
dnr.sc.gov/managedlands. Sadly, the geological wonder known as Peachtree Rock — a triangular-shaped top-heavy sandstone formation that had stood on its pointed base for millions of years — fell in December 2013, likely due to rain and years of vandalism. The good news? You can see the formation lying on its side, as well as hike through Little Peachtree Rock and the rest of this beautiful 460-acre preserve, which has the only waterfall in the coastal plain. Located off S.C. 6 in southern Lexington County near Swansea.
Saluda Shoals Park
Harbison/Irmo: 5605 Bush River Rd., 803-772-1228, icrc.net. Situated on 270 acres downstream from the Lake Murray Dam, Saluda Shoals features a popular water park, a 5,000-square-foot river center, an environmental education center, canoe trips, nature hikes, biking trails, walking trails, fishing spots, picnic shelters, summer camps, health and wellness programs and meeting facilities. It also has a popular holiday lights display in December. Seriously, Saluda Shoals offers a little bit of everything. Outdoor trails and greenspaces are open.
Sesquicentennial State Park
Northeast: 9564 Two Notch Rd., 803-788-2706, southcarolinaparks.com/sesqui. This 1,419-acre park — which locals refer to as “Sesqui” — features a 30-acre lake surrounded by trails, picnic areas and campsites. Also offers boating, fishing, swimming, meeting facilities and trails. The park hosts walks, talks, children’s programs and more.
Goodale State Park
Camden: 650 Park Rd. 803-432-2772, southcarolinaparks.com. Cypress trees, a pond, fishing, picnic spots, kayaking and canoeing all make this a popular spot to visit.
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