Amazing park has many trails and you don't see anyone often so you can enjoy the privacyread more

Found this place by complete accident and so thrilled I did. I am an Empath so I need a place I can…read morego that is out in nature, quiet and away from everything. This is a small piece of the river most people don't know about or just don't visit and I love that because it isn't over crowded. I almost cried when I noticed them adding a parking lot. There are beautiful tables by the river so you can sit and have a meal. There are big rocks you can sit on by the edge of the river. It is truly peaceful here. Writing this review makes me want to go there right now. But there are little nooks and crannies you can get to to be right near the water. Have I mentioned the bridge? Breathtakingly beautiful! I've walked it from end to end. There are big beautiful trees that hang over the bridge, beautiful flowers in the spring, blackberries and honey suckle grow wild and free. I've gone at all different times of the day but sunset is my favorite. I love going here when there is a full moon! The view is incredible. This is my place of peace. Others who come here, they come for the peace and quiet too. They aren't noisy or playing loud music. The river is the only sound I need

A woodsy oasis in an urbanesque environment. I walked the Firebreak and the Spiderwoman trails,…read moreboth about 4 miles. Very popular with mountain bikers, mostly with good cycling etiquette. Saw a million squirrels and five bird species.

This is a great spot for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. Great trails with lots of tree…read morecover to keep you cool. Some nice views of the river and you can dial up as much challenge as you desire.

The good- beautiful lake, lots of sites and amenities. The…read morebad- most items in tackle shop unpriced, busted up roadways, small sites, mostly unkept and broken. The ugly- mold in bathrooms, shower curtains ready to walk away on their own on the 80 loop. (Like, loose your campground host they're terrible) Not the best campground in SC, but you can have a good time here on the right site.

I stayed in camper cabin 3 the weekend of October 4th, 2025. The main reason we stayed in a camper…read morecabin was because it's a pet friendly cabin. The cabin itself is tiny. One full bed and one set of bunk beds. One small dorm-type refrigerator and a small microwave. One thing I learned quick was to not run the microwave while the refrigerator is also plugged in as the breaker will trip. So I unplugged the refrigerator whenever I needed to use the microwave. The refrigerator will hold several bottles of water, ham, cheese, mayo, etc. I also brought some soup and a soup mug to use in the microwave. Also to note, it's about a 30-45 second walk to the bath house, at least from cabin 3. The bed wasn't horribly uncomfortable. I had my pillows and sleeping bag from home and was quite comfortable. The little Gree mini-split unit kept the cabin at a great temperature. Now for the not-so-good things. First, a metal roof surrounded by trees, some of which were dropping acorns. Large acorns hitting a metal roof from high up make a very loud BANG when they hit the roof. Quite the scare in the middle of the night. That's my only complaint. There was a nice little front porch and a picnic table with fire pit close by. I must say it was a great weekend away from the hustle and bustle of life. I'm still giving this review 5 stars. The state park employees work very hard to make sure you have a great experience. And you have to want to be a state park employee. It's not just a job you get. You have to have a passion for it.

This is a great family outing…read more The lights are always well done. About half way through, you can stop for a hay ride ans race your kids down the hill on the slide. Kids can write letters to Santa and buy hot chocolate and snacks. It was a nice warm 48 degrees when we went there. Get out have some fun and make a few memories.

If you love Christmas lights, this is one of the best spots to be. The trail is 4miles long, and we…read morewere able to stroll through for the annual Sleigh Bell Trot. The light displays don't really change year after year, so if you've been last year, there aren't any new surprises this year. Still a fun night out! Safe and clean!

In Columbia on business and needed to get out and exercise. I am so thankful to have found this…read moretrail on Yelp. It is a safe environment with plenty of people out walking, plus it's dog friendly. Beautiful scenery and homes along the trail and not to mention you're surrounded by water and the sound of the stream will keep you going. I did see a few people out riding bikes as well. I'm a biker myself, but didn't think that the trail was large enough for large groups on bikes. But then again, are most trails ever?? If you're in the area please do plan to check it out and go for a stroll. Parking is limited, but also available down the street.

Being honest, we just kinda stumbled upon the Cayce/West Columbia River Walk. My Gf and I have…read morevisited Columbia a handful of times and we just had not been on this side of town. After getting a quick snack to take along with us, we visited the river walk and then came back the next day to walk it again! This river walk allows you to get multiple great shots of the Congaree River. Considering this is a paved/board walk trail, it really is friendly to all who would take a stroll, from all fitness levels, ages, and wheels (bikes, strollers or wheelchairs), you have a lot to see and do here. Although we only walked maybe a mile of the trail, which sandwiches itself between the river and a nearby neighborhood, it was getting late in the evening and we didn't decide to walk the 8 miles of this walk. Near the start of the trail there is a lovely amphitheater and although there is no music...there is a small band at the top of the amphitheater in the form of an artistic display. This artwork is really cool and you should get a photo with them! Also near the amphitheater are bathrooms and parking. The parking lot directly in front of the trail start is somewhat small, but we always either found a spot or found someone coming out of a spot when we came in. If I lived in Columbia, I'd likely be at the Riverwalk several times a week. As it stands, if you're close to here for any reason and you have an hour, check the west Columbia river walk out!

It was a beautiful day. Very nice walk. We pushed a stroller without problem. Loved seeing the…read moreturtles and even got to see a snake and egret. Just bummed that a large part was closed so wasn't able to get all my steps in.

Beautiful park. We were able to take a nice afternoon walk. There are some nice spots to take…read morepictures.

Impressed with the intentional use of space!…read more We made a day trip to Columbia, SC and needed to stretch our legs and burn some energy. Finlay Park offers a GREAT playground with slides, rope ladders, climbing limbs, splash pad, and turf slide. Plenty of room to relax or log a few steps. There is a beautiful water fountain, grotto and pond where they offer sailboat rentals . There is also 2 miles of sidewalk and pathways for walking or taking advantage of the roller skate rentals they offer. Not to mention pickleball courts, ping pong, soccer goals, and fitness court. A round of applause to the City of Columbia for this amazing recreational and public space.

Lovely park, it could use more shady areas. Expansive, clean, and fun. Family friendly. 2 hour…read moreparking.

One of the highlights of my recent trip to Congaree National Park was a canoe excursion with…read morePalmetto Outdoor and I'm not so sure we could have asked for a better experience. Our guide, Sean, was fantastic from start to finish. Before the trip even began, he was extremely communicative with my friend who made the reservation, ensuring we knew exactly where to meet, what to bring, and what to expect. As someone who appreciates clear logistics while traveling, this was greatly appreciated. Upon arrival, we met our fellow paddlers, many of whom were fellow National Park enthusiasts visiting Congaree for the first time. Everyone was friendly, excited to be there, and Sean helped create a welcoming atmosphere before we even launched our canoes. For a little context: I am absolutely terrified of snakes. In fact, during my first visit to Congaree a couple of years ago, I considered doing a canoe trip but ultimately chickened out because I couldn't stop thinking about my slithery nemeses lurking nearby. This time, I decided to be brave. While several members of our group did spot snakes along Cedar Creek, everyone was incredibly understanding of my fears. When one was spotted, my canoe companion and guide were kind enough to help turn our canoe so I didn't have to see it. It may sound silly, but it made a huge difference and allowed me to actually enjoy the experience rather than spend the entire trip anxiously scanning the shoreline. And enjoy it I did! Paddling Cedar Creek was really scenic and surprisingly relaxing. Between the reflections on the water and the towering trees at times, I felt like I was in a scene from The Notebook. If you're visiting Congaree National Park, I highly recommend adding a paddle trip with Palmetto Outdoor to your itinerary. Great communication, great guide, great group, and a fantastic way to experience part of the park that most visitors never do!

We took a guided canoe tour with Andy in Congaree National Park. Andy was very friendly and kept…read moreeveryone's spirits high. It was a beautiful day for a tour and the best way to see the park. The paddle was leisurely and Andy had a lot of good information about the park's history and ecology. He takes care of all the setup so you don't have to drag a canoe at any point. The cost was a good value for the experience. I would recommend it to anyone looking to visit.

The guides were the best, think Al and Michael if I recall (sorry if I got the names wrong). They…read morewere so polite and helpful. Very professional and courteous. They made you feel safe too. I really appreciated them taking the time to instruct us. Well done!

Our girls annual weekend had such a good time with Dustin. He was knowledgeable and patient, and…read morethe fact that the weather and the water were perfect, only added to our pleasure. We enjoyed the animal signings, including three different types of snakes! We learned a lot about the area. Highly recommend this tour with Dustin.