Best Activities for Adventure Lovers in Columbia

Get your thrills as you hike, paddle, boat and bike your way to adventure, all while taking in the beauty of South Carolina.

Paddle a Waterway

With multiple places to canoe and kayak, the heart of Columbia is a paddler’s paradise. The Saluda, Broad and Congaree Rivers converge in the city, so you can admire the old brick works and historic bridges without ever stepping foot on land. If you do get a little water shy, modern river walks and parks line the banks, offering perfect picnic or picture stops. Tackle mild rapids on the Saluda River, on the stretch that runs by the Riverfront Zoo, or trek to the outer limits of the city to wet your paddle in Columbia’s various lakes.

Hike Into the WildD

With more than 650 miles of shoreline, Lake Murray offers plenty of secluded coves to tuck your boat into for a private swim or picnic. Launch your watercraft from more than a dozen boat ramps and marinas. Ready to try some water sports? Satisfy your need for speed as you fly across the lake on a rentable wave runner or test your balance on a paddleboard. If smooth sailing is more your thing, take the whole family on a tour of the lake from the comfort of a pontoon or sail boat.

Boat the Lake

If you have a hankering for Southern classics like blackened shrimp and grits or cornmeal-fried catfish, look no further. Mr. Friendly's New Southern Cafe in iconic Five Points is just what it seems—casual, walk-in-friendly and patio-inclined. But while they do whip up time-honored Southern favorites, lunch and dinner menus are designed for sophisticated taste buds, so leave the kiddos behind.

Mountain Biking

Whether you're new to mountain biking or a seasoned expert, you'll find trails to match your ability at Harbison State Forest on the northwestern edge of town. Warm up on the 4.4-mile Firebreak Trail, and from it, shoot over to any other trail in the park—everything connects here. Test your limits on more than 7 miles of tricky single track on the Lost Creek and Spider Woman II trails, where you'll get your heart racing through steep climbs, rock gardens and creek crossings.

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