19+ Best Playgrounds and Parks: Columbia, SC

Are you looking for fun parks or playgrounds near Columbia, SC? If you’re looking for the best places to play outdoors in or near Columbia, you’ve come to the right place. Our Parks: Columbia, SC list includes parks with playgrounds, walking trails, and hiking trails, nature parks, art parks, splash pads, parks with picnic areas and picnic shelters, and a whole lot more about our favorite places to play!

There are so many options when it comes to parks and playgrounds. These parks have great playgrounds, wide open spaces, basketball courts, picnic tables, walking trails, or just amazing outdoor spaces. We have reviewed some of our absolute favorite places to play, but we also have lots more coming soon!

Great Parks and Playgrounds Around Columbia, SC

Looking for playgrounds in or near Columbia where the kids can play? There are so many cool options in the Midlands! Pick one of these fun playgrounds and get playing outdoors!

• Carraway Park: Great for kids of all ages in West Columbia, SC
• Owen’s Field Park: Skate park, fun playgrounds with a zipline, pump track
• Citadel Park: The perfect shaded place to play
• Elmwood Roy Lynch Park: Splash pad, zipline, and playgrounds
• Leo’s Landing: Very large, inclusive playground at Saluda Shoals in Irmo, SC. ($5 per vehicle, or $55 per year)

Columbia’s Most Unique Parks and Outdoor Spaces

Have you visited Sesquicentennial State Park?

With a beautiful little lake, playground, easy hiking, free splash pad, and cheap boat rentals, Sesquicentennial State Park is the ultimate family day kind of park! Pack a picnic and get going! Enjoy the shaded picnic tables and benches beside the lake.

Experience local art for free at West Columbia Interactive Art Park

What’s at the West Columbia Interactive Art Park? Kids and grown-ups will enjoy walking along the paths of this interactive art park in West Columbia. Play the drums, and enjoy the murals, sculptures, and time together. There are even some very family-friendly places to eat out in the park and nearby.

Lake Murray

In the summer Lake Murray Public Park is the place to be for outdoor play in the water and sand. There’s also a great picnic area to enjoy the fresh air and lake view.

Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park is a unique park with old-growth forests for hiking, cool boardwalk trails to explore, and out-of-this-world kayak trails.

Want to walk or hike on Columbia’s hiking trails?

These walking trails and hiking trails near Columbia are perfect for a little hiking or getting out those bikes and strollers.

Three Rivers Greenway Trail

Parks with family hiking trails near Columbia, SC

Splash Pads at Columbia Parks

Here are all the parks where you can splash, swim, and cool off in Columbia, SC

Parks with Splash Pads

Splash pads and more places to cool off in Columbia, SC

Best Parks in Columbia, SC for Toddlers

There are so many fantastic parks for even the tiny tots all around Columbia! Let your littles learn to climb, swing in bucket swings, or enjoy small slides made just for them.

• Doko Meadows: Shaded, bucket swings, toddler playscape 
• Citadel Park: Padded base, plenty of room to run, tons of shade, separate toddler area 
• Sesquicentennial State Park: Separate play space with small slides and playscape

Going for a stroll?
These Columbia, SC Parks are Stroller-Friendly!

Best Parks in Columbia, SC for Preschoolers

Have a preschooler who is a bit too big for the small stuff, but not quite big enough for the full-sized equipment? Here are a few playgrounds we think they’d love:

• Carraway Park: Wide variety, all-inclusive, padded base 
• Leo’s Landing: Plenty of opportunities for kids of ALL ages 
• Hollywood Park: Quiet, shaded, large green space 
• Guignard Park: Natural stream for splashing, walking loop, medium-sized playground

Best Parks in Columbia, SC for Older Kids

Even the older kids can benefit from a park day or two! Enjoy the outdoors with your bigger kids at these fun playgrounds!

• Elmwood Roy Lynch Park: Sprinklers, large zipline, 2 playgrounds
• Emily Douglas: Splash pad, large climbing structures, huge green space 
• Woodland Park: Walking trail, pickleball, large green spaces, huge playground

Looking for more of the best parks in Columbia?

Our coverage of parks and playgrounds is growing and we’ll have more on Columbia’s best playgrounds soon. But you’ll also find great information on the area’s outdoor places to play at websites for local town and city recreation departments.

• City of Columbia Parks and Recreation
• City of West Columbia Parks and Recreation
• Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission

Which park or playground in Columbia is your favorite?

Need more places to play?

Fun days start with this list of over 50 Things to Do in Columbia, SC.