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Top Nature preserves in Columbia, United States
Top Rated Nature preserves in Columbia
Top Reviewed Nature preserves in Columbia
Reviews
Beautiful part of the hike to Mt Tammy! Stunning massive trees, moss & mushroom covered logs 🍄 & stunning creek. The water is super clear & peaceful to hike around here. Beautiful nature awaits you.
We stayed one night on our way north. Once we pulled through the entrance, it was easy to forget you were in a city. Cute signs greeted us as we drove to the office. Not having a reservation, the park office staff member happily wrote down the sites available for the night and told us to drive through and pick the one that suited us best. We could come back once we unhooked and settled in. The sites were packed gravel, spacious, level, and clearly marked regarding sewer access. The roads were well maintained with trees cut back from the edges making it large rig friendly. A park worker was filling pot holes while we walked our dog. Dogs are allowed on a six foot leash. The splash pad was closed but I imagine it’s a big hit in the summer time. Plenty of hiking and biking paths along with water equipment rental. We will definitely add it to our list of favorites to return to in the future.
Hubby added: easy and close access to the interstate.
Hubby added: easy and close access to the interstate.
Gorgeous park, especially now that it’s fall. Very clean, with a playground in the shade and shelters. Perfect for families. It’s dog-friendly!
It’s very obvious that locals love this park - there were lots of people there on a warm, fall day. We were passing by on our way to NC and stopped there to walk out dog. I was pleasantly surprised by how cute the park is.
Entrance fee is $6 per adult and $3.5 per child.
It’s very obvious that locals love this park - there were lots of people there on a warm, fall day. We were passing by on our way to NC and stopped there to walk out dog. I was pleasantly surprised by how cute the park is.
Entrance fee is $6 per adult and $3.5 per child.
Honestly, this is one of the most comforting parks I've ever been to. Beautiful views, nice trails, plenty of picture opportunities, and there's labels on the trails that are color coded so you don't get lost. There's a splash pad and a dog park too I believe. It's definitely a decent size and plenty of room for activities to do with family overall.
Absolutely beautiful. Ground was soaked, but it just rained. I was super excited to see the water falls, and was not disappointed. I also saw someone catch a fish here, which was exciting as well
We just camped here overnight. Nice large road coming in. We are in a 42' 5th wheel. It's as tall as motor homes so we always have to worry about trees. They are cut back nicely for a state park. I am glad we chose a spot in the lower loop (site 5), because the upper loop is not for big rigs in opinion. Staff was pleasant. We didn't get to enjoy any of the trails or splash pad but they looked to be very well marked and kept.
Love, love this park!!! It has almost everything. Amazing picnic area for small or large groups, splash pad and pond/lake for canoeing or paddle boarding. Of course there's camping.
But best of all are the trails! There's a small 2 mile trail that goes around the pond (very pretty), a 4 mi or so trail that sort of goes around that but then there are the biking/hiking trails 🥰. Even tho we're not in the mountains, you can get a narly climb in. Especially if you start at the main park and work your way up. At the top of one trail, you can see Two Notch and lots of sky. There are a couple of high points on the trail. Awesome for MTB. Yes, it does get sandy in several places, but just keep pedaling. Oh, and the trees, creek, deer, and all types of birds make this an even more enjoyable hike and bike area.
But best of all are the trails! There's a small 2 mile trail that goes around the pond (very pretty), a 4 mi or so trail that sort of goes around that but then there are the biking/hiking trails 🥰. Even tho we're not in the mountains, you can get a narly climb in. Especially if you start at the main park and work your way up. At the top of one trail, you can see Two Notch and lots of sky. There are a couple of high points on the trail. Awesome for MTB. Yes, it does get sandy in several places, but just keep pedaling. Oh, and the trees, creek, deer, and all types of birds make this an even more enjoyable hike and bike area.
Nice state park in the Columbia area. There is a $6 entry fee per adult and $3.50 for kids. I ended up buying the SC state park yearly pass as I could apply today's entry fee. It has a nice 2 mile mostly shaded path around the lake and through the woods. There was a nice camp/ souvenir shop where one can also rent boats to take on the lake. We cooled down at the splash park after our hike. There is also camping available. It's a nice space and feels safe.
Lemme start with the negative; $6 fee and the only drinking water available is from spigots, mind you they sell drinks and have soda machines… The trails around the park are few, but well maintained and heavily shaded. There are sprawling picnic areas, a playground, restrooms and a few small pavilions. They do offer some watercraft rentals; fishing is also permitted. My favorite part was the tiny dams that drain out of the lake.
This is a wonderful and large park inside the forest and near a large lake. The park is very well maintained. very clean, the roads and paths for pedestrians are very neat. There are a lot of gazebos and there is a free towlet. There are also parking lots for mobile homes. per month. Entrance to the park is paid starting from 6 years old, for adults the price is $ 6 for children $ 3. There are bike roads and trails for those who like to walk. In short, I advise everyone, it was very good despite the rain.
Beautiful area, got lucky. 50 degrees on a February day. Nice sunshine too. Saw this on my way to Newark Liberty and just had to stop after I saw the sign to Turtle beach.
Never found the Beach, but did find part of the Appalachian Trail, again.
Creek side trail, really lovely. Kinda steep in places, but not really. Wide path, not too many rocks on it. Lot of downed trees, one was on the way. Got about a mile in and turned around, loved it.
Edit, turtle beach is other way on River Rd about 6 or so miles.
Never found the Beach, but did find part of the Appalachian Trail, again.
Creek side trail, really lovely. Kinda steep in places, but not really. Wide path, not too many rocks on it. Lot of downed trees, one was on the way. Got about a mile in and turned around, loved it.
Edit, turtle beach is other way on River Rd about 6 or so miles.
Great trail following the creek well marked and easily traversed. Can be runoff water on the trail and steep edges with a good drop to the creek at points.
Trail is muddy/flooded in some areas(pics). This will become more flooded as the rains come. Do not delay, come now! Embrace the water & mud to enjoy this special area. Beautiful variations of green abound! Spring is here. Creek trail is difficult with multiple creek crossings without bridges. Loved my time here. 🌿🪵☘️🌲
We took to the trail as a large group, it was easy to get to off the highway. There was plenty of parking, there were facilities to go to the bathroom and very easy to read trail markers. The trails were still slightly covered in snow and ice but it was still easy to navigate and there was enough space for people to pass freely going both up and down the trails. Great beginner type trails to get the kids into hiking. We had a blast. The bridges were great and the scenery even in the winter was top notch. Def a fun spot, we will be coming back more.
05/31/2021:
This parking lot may host around 25 cars. If you can’t find parking spot here, you may be able to park at Kittatinny Park (check out my review for the park) on the other side of I-80.
This is a place you can access to several trailheads: Appalachian Trail (White), Mt. Tammany (Red Dot), Dunnfield Creek Trail (Green) and Blue Dot Trail. And the waterfall is just thousand feet away from the parking lot. All trails are pretty much in wooded shades except some part of the Red Dot Trail. It would be more fun in a hot summer to hike on the trails and play water in the creek.
Today we chose to hike thru AT to Sunfish Pond (check out my review for the pond), and then back thru Dunnfield Creak Trail. It’s a perfect sunny and pleasant day today after days of rain and chilly temperatures in the 40s and 50s on the weekend.
Hiking on Dunnfield Creek Trail is quite adventurous as you have to walk across the creek 5 times at different spots to get back to the trail. Now that water level is not very high, you can always find ways to walk across. Otherwise you may have to step into the water, which is fine and fun in hot summer.
We will definitely come back for more hiking and water fun in hot summer.
This parking lot may host around 25 cars. If you can’t find parking spot here, you may be able to park at Kittatinny Park (check out my review for the park) on the other side of I-80.
This is a place you can access to several trailheads: Appalachian Trail (White), Mt. Tammany (Red Dot), Dunnfield Creek Trail (Green) and Blue Dot Trail. And the waterfall is just thousand feet away from the parking lot. All trails are pretty much in wooded shades except some part of the Red Dot Trail. It would be more fun in a hot summer to hike on the trails and play water in the creek.
Today we chose to hike thru AT to Sunfish Pond (check out my review for the pond), and then back thru Dunnfield Creak Trail. It’s a perfect sunny and pleasant day today after days of rain and chilly temperatures in the 40s and 50s on the weekend.
Hiking on Dunnfield Creek Trail is quite adventurous as you have to walk across the creek 5 times at different spots to get back to the trail. Now that water level is not very high, you can always find ways to walk across. Otherwise you may have to step into the water, which is fine and fun in hot summer.
We will definitely come back for more hiking and water fun in hot summer.
This is a beautiful place to hike. Not that easy but definitely worth it. The views are beautiful looking down at the Delaware water gap. Has a few very Steep climbs as well as moderate sections.