3 of Columbia’s riverwalks are closed. 6 places you can go in the meantime

Three riverside trails in the Columbia area are partially closed at the same time.

The city of Columbia announced a six-month closure of a portion of the Riverfront Park trail in a May 30 Facebook post, part of continuing work on the Columbia Canal and that feeds into the city’s water treatment plant there. Sections of the trail south of the Interstate 126 bridge and railroad trestle have been closed since June 2 for the construction of a new water intake. Two miles of trail are still accessible from the park’s northern entrance, and half a mile can be reached through the southern entrance.

Cayce closed Phase Two of its riverwalk between Lyles Street and Kelley Jones park after a sewer overflow on May 24. There is no timeline yet for the section’s reopening, according to a city spokesperson.

And a half-mile portion of West Columbia’s riverwalk has not reopened since taking damage from Hurricane Helene in September 2024. The city chose a company to lead the repair effort on May 6 of this year, but an exact timeline for reopening the trail has not been announced.

While these popular trail options near downtown Columbia are closed, here are six other options you might consider:

Saluda Riverwalk

The only section of the Three Rivers Greenway along Columbia’s rivers that is currently open in its entirety, Saluda Riverwalk has about three miles of paved walkways and boardwalks for pedestrians and cyclists. There is also access for fishing and boating.

The riverwalk is close to downtown for those looking for an alternative to the closed trails near the city center. It’s located adjacent to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden and has an entrance at 650 Candi Lane off I-126.

Timmerman Trail

While Phase Two of the Cayce Riverwalk is closed, the city’s Timmerman Trail loop circles Congaree Creek for 3.5 paved milesand connects with the third and fourth phases of the riverwalk. The trail is dog-friendly and accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, strollers and wheelchair users, according to the Greater Cayce West Columbia Chamber.

There are two entrances to the Timmerman Trail. The northern entrance is on the corner of Scana Parkway and the 12th Street Extension, and the southern entrance is behind the Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center at 1120 Fort Congaree Trail. There are also multiple spots to park and access the third and fourth phases of the riverwalk leading to the trail loop.

Congaree National Park

About 30 minutes southeast of Columbia is Congaree National Park, which contains “the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States,” per its website. It has a mix of trails, kayak and canoe access and campsites to reserve. Fishing is allowed, except if within 25 feet of any manmade structure.

The park’s boardwalk begins at the visitor center. However, sections of this boardwalk are closed for construction on a rolling basis, as part of a renovation project. The park’s website shows which areas are closed.

Sesquicentennial State Park

Sesquicentennial State Park in the Sandhills region has four trails, including a six-mile mountain biking trail. A 30-acre lake sits in the center of the park, where visitors can fish or ride non-motorized boats. A variety of boats are available for rent, including kayaks, canoes and paddle boards.

This park requires a paid ticket to enter, which is $6 for adults. Children five years old and younger have free admission, and other discounts are available.

Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve

About 30 minutes from downtown, Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve has six trails, a waterfall and a number of sandstone formations. The namesake rock toppled years ago, but a smaller “Little Peachtree Rock” sits on the blue trail.

The preserve’s rock formations are a product of the prehistoric coastline that once existed in the area. As a result, the sandstone contains numerous fossils of prehistoric marine animals.

Harbison State Forest

Harbison State Forest contains 18 miles of trails for hiking and biking. Bordered by the Broad River, the forest has a canoe landing which can be accessed after filling out a float plan.

A day pass to the park is $5.

This story was originally published June 5, 2025 at 5:00 AM.