Checked October 1, 2026 against Riverbanks Zoo & Garden's own pages: visitor information, rides and attractions, guest relations and the botanical garden. Riverbanks says hours and prices are subject to change.
Riverbanks is a 170-acre zoo and botanical garden on both banks of the Saluda River, with more than 3,000 animals and a 70-acre garden. One ticket covers both sides.
Hours
- Open daily, 9 am – 5 pm.
- Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
- After-hours Signature Events (Boo at the Zoo, Wild Lights) need their own tickets; daytime admission does not cover them. See our Halloween events and Christmas lights guides for 2026 dates.
Ticket prices (per person, per visit)
| Ticket | Online | Ticket window |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (13–61) | $27.95 | $30.95 |
| Children (2–12) | $24.95 | $27.95 |
| Seniors (62+, photo ID) | $25.95 | $28.95 |
| Military (military ID) | $25.95 | $28.95 |
| Under 2 | Free | Free |
| Parking, per vehicle | $3 | $6 |
Buying online saves $3 a ticket and $3 on parking, and you skip the ticket window. Groups of 15 or more can ask about group rates.
Two entrances
- Zoo (main entrance): 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210, just off I-126 at Greystone Blvd.
- Botanical Garden entrance: 1300 Botanical Parkway, West Columbia, SC 29169, just off SC Highway 378 near I-20 and I-26.
Both entrances have visitor parking and accessible spaces (state permit required). The COMET bus also serves the zoo on request via Route 84 between downtown and St. Andrews.
Getting between the zoo and the garden
The new Saluda Skyride runs 9 am – 5 pm daily and is free with admission. Cabins hold up to eight people, guests under 15 need a supervising companion, and strollers or wheelchairs wider than 29 inches must be folded. Remember that you have to ride back to the side where you parked. You can also walk the paved River Trail between the two sides.
What costs extra
Rides and attractions use a reloadable Explore More Card ($1 = 1 credit); cash is not accepted at the rides.
| Attraction | Credits | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Saluda Skyride | Free | 9 am – 5 pm |
| Kangaroo Walkabout | Free | 9 am – 4:30 pm |
| Endangered Species Carousel | 3 per ride | 9 am – 4:30 pm |
| Riverbanks Express train | 3 per ride | 9 am – 4:30 pm |
| The Farmyard | 3 per person | 9 am – 4:30 pm |
| Giraffe Feeding | 3 per scoop of lettuce | 10 am – 2:30 pm |
| Lorikeet Experience | 4 per person | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm |
| Tiny Trailblazers (max 48 in.) | 5 per climb | 9 am – 4:30 pm |
| Sky-High Safari ropes course | 9 per climb | 10 am – 4:30 pm |
Explorer and Conservation Circle members ride most of these free. Giraffe feeding ends early once the giraffes have eaten their daily allotment.
The botanical garden
The garden side has more than 5,700 plant species. Highlights:
- Walled Garden: a 34,000-square-foot maze of seasonal and themed beds, the garden's main exhibit.
- Waterfall Junction: a children's garden with a life-size T-Rex replica, giant tree houses and splash areas (swimwear is allowed only here).
- Bog Garden at the garden gate, plus the Asian, Shade, Dry and Collection gardens (more than 100 kinds of crinum lilies).
It is one of the calmer half-days in Columbia; see our date ideas for pairing it with dinner.
Rules worth knowing
- No pets or emotional support animals. Trained service animals are allowed, with some areas restricted.
- No outside food, drinks or coolers. Refillable water bottles are fine. Picnic tables are at the west end of the zoo parking lot, and you can leave and come back the same day with your original receipt.
- Not allowed: alcohol brought in, balloons, balls, lawn chairs, bikes, scooters, skateboards, wheeled shoes and portable speakers.
- Guests 15 and under must be with an adult 18 or older. Smoking and vaping only outside the gates.
Rentals and accessibility
All exhibits, restrooms, trams, restaurants and shops are wheelchair accessible except the upper part of the Woodlands Walk. Rentals at the zoo gift shop and the garden ticket booth, first come, first served: single stroller $10, double stroller $13, manual wheelchair $10, electric scooter $35 (plus tax). Sensory packs (ear muffs, sunglasses, fidget toys) can be borrowed at Guest Relations at either entrance.
Tips
- Buy tickets and parking online the night before; a family of four saves $15.
- Arrive at 9 am. Most rides open at 9, giraffe feeding starts at 10.
- Park on the side you want to finish on, then take the Skyride over and back.
- Load the Explore More Card once with a set budget so the rides do not add up.
Questions: Riverbanks, 803-779-8717.
More around Columbia
- Things to do with kids in Columbia
- EdVenture Children's Museum guide
- Three Rivers Greenway guide, including the Saluda Riverwalk behind the zoo
The full list, by category: things to do in Columbia, SC.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Riverbanks Zoo tickets in 2026?
Online: adults (13 to 61) $27.95, children 2 to 12 $24.95, seniors 62+ and military $25.95. At the ticket window each is $3 more. Under 2 is free. Parking is $3 per vehicle online or $6 at the window.
What are Riverbanks Zoo's hours?
9 am to 5 pm every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Most rides close at 4:30 pm.
Does a Riverbanks Zoo ticket include the botanical garden?
Yes. General admission covers the zoo and the botanical garden, and the Saluda Skyride between them is free with admission.
Can you bring food into Riverbanks Zoo?
No. Outside food, drinks and coolers are not allowed, but refillable water bottles are. There are picnic tables at the west end of the zoo parking lot, and you can return the same day with your original receipt.
Are dogs allowed at Riverbanks Zoo?
No. Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted. Trained service animals are allowed, with some areas restricted.