Riverfront Park

The City lists Riverfront Park as open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Construction, flooding, maintenance, and special events can restrict individual sections.

Use the southern entrance at 312 Laurel Street. The City says renovation and infrastructure work currently limit visitors to the southern portion, so older directions to the north entrance may not provide full access.

For current public access, route to the southern entrance at 312 Laurel Street and use its associated parking area. Do not navigate only to the park name because the linear park has separated entrances and construction restrictions.

The full park normally includes a roughly three-mile linear levee trail and a one-mile floodplain spur, but the City currently describes only about a half-mile of the southern section as accessible during renovations. Check the official page before planning a long route.

The currently open southern section includes about a half-mile of accessible trail, a shaded overlook with picnic tables, a large open lawn, and an outdoor fitness area. Access beyond that section is affected by ongoing work.

Yes. The City says much of the park is undergoing renovations and infrastructure improvements. Visitors can currently use the southern portion from 312 Laurel Street; confirm the latest conditions before visiting.

Restroom availability is concentrated near developed entrances and can change during the current renovation work. Use the open southern entrance at 312 Laurel Street and follow posted facility signs rather than relying on the closed northern section.

Yes. The currently open southern section includes a shaded overlook with picnic tables and a large lawn overlooking the water. Organized events and exclusive uses may require City approval, and construction limits the usable area.

Dogs may use ordinary open park areas when leashed and under control, but event organizers can prohibit pets inside controlled event zones. Follow posted restrictions, keep pets away from wildlife and water hazards, and clean up waste.

The currently accessible southern section has a shaded overlook with picnic tables, but the open lawn and portions of the levee route are exposed. Bring sun and heat protection, especially when river humidity is high or construction prevents access to longer wooded sections.

Fishing is a recognized park activity along the river corridor, but visitors must follow South Carolina licensing, season, and catch rules and remain behind all construction barriers. River current and steep banks require caution, and swimming is not implied by fishing access.

The City does not list playground equipment among Riverfront Park's current features. This is a linear river-and-canal destination for walking, running, biking, fishing, history, wildlife viewing, and waterfront scenery, with renovation work affecting portions of the park. For equipment play, choose another Columbia park such as the separately listed Finlay Park rather than assuming every regional park has a playground. Keep children away from construction barriers, canal edges, steep banks, and swift river water.

Riverfront Park does not have a pool, splash pad, or designated swimming beach. The Broad River and Columbia Canal are natural and working waterways with current, rapids, steep edges, infrastructure, and changing conditions. The City describes tubing and kayaking as river recreation, but those activities require an appropriate access plan, equipment, skill, and current-condition check; they are not casual shoreline swimming. For managed water play, use one of Columbia's separately listed seasonal pools or splash pads.

The COMET serves Columbia's downtown and Riverbanks-area corridors, but the City does not identify one direct park-front route for both Riverfront Park entrances. Use the live planner with 312 Laurel Street for the currently accessible southern section; do not accidentally route to the separate 4122 River Drive entrance while northern construction or trail closures are active. Confirm the final walk, current entrance status, and evening return before leaving.