Did you know civilians can visit a water park right on Fort Jackson? Palmetto Falls Water Park is open to the public from late May through early September, and at $17 per person it is one of the best summer values in the Columbia area. This review covers everything you need: how to get through the gate, what the slides and lazy river are like, what to eat at the snack bar, and the inclement weather story we lived so you do not have to.
Located on Fort Jackson right here in Columbia, Palmetto Falls Water Park was an absolute blast for our family. We have lived in the Midlands for years and somehow this place flew completely under our radar. If you are in the same boat, consider yourself officially informed. You need to put this on your summer list before the season closes on September 7.
Quick Facts: Palmetto Falls Water Park
- Address: 6511 Strom Thurmond Blvd, Fort Jackson, SC 29207 (enter via Gate 2 on Forest Drive)
- Season: May 23 through September 7; open on holidays
- Civilian (non-affiliated) admission: $17/day; $80 season pass
- Military (DoD ID cardholder) admission: $13/day; $70 season pass (includes Legion Outdoor Swimming Pool)
- Height requirements: Lagoon slides: 36 inches minimum; Tower slides: 48 inches minimum
- Phone: 803-751-4796 or 803-751-3475
- What to bring: REAL ID, vehicle registration, proof of insurance (for the gate background check)
Getting In: Civilian Access to Fort Jackson
The step that trips most people up is simply not knowing that civilians can visit in the first place. Fort Jackson is a military installation, but Palmetto Falls Water Park is open to the general public. The process to get on base just requires a bit of preparation.
Drive to Gate 2 on Forest Drive and tell the security guard you are heading to Palmetto Falls Water Park. The guard will direct you to the Victor Control Center (VCC) on the right, where all adults in the vehicle will go through a background check. After the check is complete, you will receive an AIE pass for the day and can drive straight to the water park to purchase your tickets.
Here is what every adult in the vehicle needs to have with them:
- A REAL ID-compliant photo ID (South Carolina driver’s licenses now need the gold star to access military installations, effective May 2025)
- The driver also needs vehicle registration and proof of insurance
If you have had a background check within the past year, just let VCC staff know and they may be able to issue your day pass more quickly. Season pass holders get an AIE pass for the full season after their first background check, so repeat visits are much faster.
Good to know: Adults driving youth groups or summer camp attendees should complete their background check before the event day. Call the water park at 803-751-4796 to coordinate in advance.
The Slides
All five slides are worth your time. The longest one is designed to be a slow, relaxing ride down, and for most people in our group, that is exactly what it was. My swim skirt apparently had other ideas and turned my leisurely float into something considerably speedier. Lesson learned: wear your swimwear accordingly and enjoy the ride either way.
The remaining slides come in pairs, placed in different areas of the park. They are set up perfectly for side-by-side racing, and if you have competitive kids (or competitive adults), you will spend a lot of time here. Our crew absolutely did.
Know the height requirements before you go. The lagoon slides (the smaller set) require riders to be at least 36 inches tall. The tower slides require at least 48 inches. There are no exceptions to this rule, and riders cannot be caught at the bottom of the slides by another person.
The Lazy River
Our kids could have spent the entire day in the lazy river, and honestly, so could I. Stretching 800 linear feet, it winds through some really fun water features, including waterfalls you float right under and mushroom fountains that our littles absolutely loved. This was where our crew spent the most time, no question.
A couple of rules to know before you jump in. You must be inside or on a tube at all times in the lazy river. Entry and exit are only at the front zero-depth entry point or the stairs at the backside of the park. Jumping in or climbing out from the sides is not allowed and can cause injuries even for adults who can stand. A lifeguard is stationed at the zero-depth entry to help patrons in and out of their tubes.
Pools for Every Age
Beyond the slides and lazy river, Palmetto Falls has something for every age. The 10,000-square-foot family pool is the center of the action. The 2,500-square-foot kiddy pool is shallow and perfect for toddlers just getting comfortable in the water. The 600-square-foot splashdown pool sits at the base of the slides. And the dedicated toddler and kiddie area had our youngest happily entertained for a solid stretch of the afternoon.
Lifeguards are stationed throughout the entire park. That said, always keep your own eyes on your kids around water, too.
There is also a sand volleyball court behind the Palmetto Pavilion (the pavilion seats up to 200 people and is available for large group rentals). The volleyball court appeared to be locked up during our visit, so your mileage may vary on that one.
Food and Drinks at the Sand Bar
Honest admission: we had zero expectations for the on-site food. We were completely wrong. The pizza at the Sand Bar snack bar is genuinely delicious, and way better than you would expect from a water park concession stand. The menu also includes burgers, nachos, pretzels, and ice cream. Drinks cover all the bases: Coca-Cola brand sodas and Gatorade for the kids, and for the adults, beer, seltzer, canned wine, and frozen cocktails. Frozen cocktails at a water park. We were delighted.
Tip: No outside food or drinks are allowed in the park per Fort Jackson regulations. The one exception: a cake or cupcakes for a birthday celebration, if you notify the park in advance. Plan to use the Sand Bar for meals and snacks, or pack a cooler to enjoy in the parking lot before you head in.
What to Know Before You Go
A few logistics worth knowing before your first visit:
- Life jackets: Free common-use life jackets are available on site. If you bring your own from home, it must be labeled U.S. Coast Guard Approved. No inflatable rafts or non-USCG flotation devices are permitted in the park.
- No medications on staff: Palmetto Falls does not carry medications on site. If anyone in your group has allergies or medical conditions, pack your own Benadryl or any needed meds in your bag.
- Swimwear rules: Standard swimsuits are fine. String bikinis, thongs, and anything that is not family-appropriate coverage are not allowed. No denim, cotton shirts, or cotton shorts in the water, as cotton fibers clog the filtration system. Polyester and nylon are fine over-layers if you want to cover up.
- The shade structures are not waterproof: More on this in the next section, but if there is rain in the forecast, your belongings will get wet. Come prepared.
Our Inclement Weather Experience (Learn From Our Mistakes!)
We went on a day with rain in the forecast and adjusted our arrival time in an attempt to outrun any potential storms. We failed, but we can share what we learned so you do not have to make our same mistakes.
Here is how the official inclement weather policy works: if there is thunder or lightning, the park closes for a minimum of 30 minutes from each occurrence. Everyone must exit the water and move to either the covered entrance area at the front of the park or their personal vehicles, with ALL of your belongings. If more thunder or lightning occurs during that 30-minute window, the clock resets and starts over.
We had just gotten in the water when we got kicked out. It was extremely inconvenient, and yes, a little scary for the littles who did not fully understand what was happening. But here is the silver lining: we decided to wait it out because we had barely had any time in the park. When we came back in after the all-clear, nearly every other family had packed up and left. We had the place almost entirely to ourselves. And honestly? We did not even mind getting a little rained on since we were soaking wet anyway.
Rainy day tips we learned the hard way:
- Bring a large umbrella or a garbage bag to cover your belongings during a weather delay (shade structures are not waterproof)
- Pack zip-lock baggies for your phone, keys, and wallet
- If you stick it out after a storm clears, you may have the park nearly to yourselves
- Rain checks are issued if the park closes for more than two consecutive hours, but you must have your admission receipt and wait out the full two hours first
- Check Palmetto Falls social media the morning of your visit if storms are in the forecast, since the park may close for the entire day if conditions are severe enough
Our Verdict: Absolutely Worth the Extra Steps
The gate process adds about 10 to 15 minutes to your first visit, and at $17 per person for civilians, Palmetto Falls Water Park is one of the best summer values in the Columbia area. The variety of features keeps kids and adults busy for hours, the food is genuinely good, and the lifeguard presence throughout the park is reassuring. If you have not made it here yet this summer, add it to your list before the season closes on September 7.
Honest catch: the shade structures will not save your stuff if it rains, so come prepared. And if the lightning alarm sounds, embrace the delay, pack your belongings under cover, and hope the crowds thin out. They did for us.
Plan Your Visit to Palmetto Falls Water Park
Palmetto Falls Water Park is located at 6511 Strom Thurmond Blvd on Fort Jackson, Columbia, SC 29207. Enter via Gate 2 on Forest Drive and follow signs to the Victor Control Center for your civilian background check before proceeding to the park. For more information, visit the official Fort Jackson Army MWR page for Palmetto Falls Water Park or call 803-751-4796 or 803-751-3475. Season runs May 23 through September 7.
Looking for more water fun this summer? Check out 6 Floating Obstacle Courses at Aqua Parks in Georgia and South Carolina for even more ways to get wet with the family.
Palmetto Falls is just one of many great summer adventures near home. Browse The Ultimate Guide to Day Trips Near Columbia, SC for even more family-friendly destinations in the Midlands and beyond.
Keeping your summer budget in check? You will love our list of 10+ Completely Free Things to do in Columbia, SC This Summer.
FAQ: Palmetto Falls Water Park at Fort Jackson
Can civilians visit Palmetto Falls Water Park at Fort Jackson?
Yes, civilians are welcome! Enter Fort Jackson at Gate 2 on Forest Drive, stop at the Victor Control Center for a background check for all adults in the vehicle, and receive an AIE day pass. Admission for non-affiliated civilians is $17 per day or $80 for a season pass. Background checks completed within the past year may expedite future visits.
What ID and documents do I need to enter Fort Jackson?
Every adult in the vehicle needs a photo ID. Since May 2025, South Carolina driver’s licenses used to access military installations must be REAL ID-compliant, meaning they must have the gold star. The driver also needs vehicle registration and proof of vehicle insurance.
What are the height requirements for the slides?
The lagoon slides require riders to be at least 36 inches tall. The tower slides require at least 48 inches. No exceptions are made, and riders cannot be caught or assisted at the bottom of the slides.
Does Palmetto Falls Water Park give refunds?
No. Palmetto Falls has a strict no-refund policy, including for weather. The exceptions are military PCS orders (partial refund for season pass holders) and civilians who do not pass the base background check. Rain checks are issued if the park closes for more than two consecutive hours due to inclement weather, but you must have your admission receipt on hand and wait out the full two-hour minimum before a rain check is issued.
What happens when there is thunder or lightning at Palmetto Falls?
The park closes for a minimum of 30 minutes after every thunder or lightning event. All patrons must exit the water and move to the covered entrance area or their vehicles, taking all belongings with them. If additional thunder or lightning occurs during that 30-minute window, the clock resets. If the park closes for more than two consecutive hours, rain checks are issued. If conditions are severe enough for a full-day closure, the park will post notice on social media.
Can I bring outside food or drinks to Palmetto Falls?
No outside food or drinks are permitted inside the park per Fort Jackson regulations. The one exception is a birthday cake or cupcakes, which must be cleared with park management in advance. The Sand Bar snack bar on site offers pizza, burgers, nachos, pretzels, ice cream, soft drinks, Gatorade, and adult beverages including beer, seltzer, canned wine, and frozen cocktails.
More Photos: Palmetto Falls Water Park at Fort Jackson
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