Checked October 1, 2026 against the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC), which runs the park: Saluda Shoals Park, kayak rentals and the Saluda Shoals Riverwalk.
Saluda Shoals is a 480-acre regional park on the Saluda River below the Lake Murray dam, with ten miles of paved and unpaved trails, a river observation deck, two boat ramps, a wetland preserve and an 18-hole disc golf course.
Entrances
- West entrance: 5605 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212 (main park).
- East entrance: 6071 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29212, for the fields, the courts and Leo's Landing inclusive playground. The east gate opens at 8:30 am daily.
- Dreher Shoals Landing: 6181 Bush River Road, the new Riverwalk trailhead.
Phone: 803-772-1228.
2026 hours (every day)
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Jan 1 – Mar 7 | 7 am – 6 pm |
| Mar 8 – Sep 14 | 7 am – 8 pm |
| Sep 15 – Oct 31 | 7 am – 7 pm |
| Nov 1 – Dec 31 | 7 am – 5 pm |
Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
What it costs
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Daily parking, car or minivan | $7 |
| Daily parking, 12+ passenger van or bus | $15 |
| 1-month park pass | $10 per vehicle |
| 1-month extended pass (24-hour, park gates only) | $15 per vehicle |
| Annual parking pass | $75 (extra hang tag $40) |
| Extended 24-hour annual pass | $100 (extra hang tag $50) |
Annual and monthly passes also cover Dreher Shoals Landing (the extended pass works only at the park's gates). Buy them at the admin building, 9 am – 5 pm daily, or by phone.
Saluda Splash and the playgrounds
Saluda Splash is a zero-depth spray ground for children: $4 per person, or $55 for a 15-visit pass that also works at Melvin Park Splash in Chapin. Parking is extra. ICRC's page does not publish the splash season dates, so call before planning a fall visit around it. Leo's Landing, the inclusive playground, is at the east entrance.
Barking Lot dog park
A fenced off-leash area for vaccinated, spayed or neutered dogs. $60 a year for up to two dogs, plus parking. Open park hours, except Tuesdays 9–11 am (maintenance).
Kayak the lower Saluda
ICRC rents single and tandem kayaks first come, first served, with a shuttle from the lower boat launch. A paddle from the upper to the lower ramp takes about an hour.
| Rental | Single | Tandem |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | $25 | $35 |
| 2 hours | $35 | $45 |
| All day | $50 | $60 |
October 2026 schedule: Saturdays 10 am – 5 pm and Sundays noon – 5 pm only (September also had Thursday and Friday). ICRC's published schedule runs from April to October, plus Memorial Day and Labor Day. Boats are back by 5 pm, are not rented when the river is above 2,600 cfs, and riders must weigh at least 30 pounds. Life jackets are provided and must be worn. A $10 pre-shuttle is available for your own boat. Kayak line: 803-479-9886.
ICRC warns that renters will very likely get at least partly wet, so dress for it.
The new Saluda Shoals Riverwalk
Phase 1 opened on August 19, 2026: about 2.5 miles of 10-foot-wide paved trail and boardwalk from Dreher Shoals Landing (6181 Bush River Road) along the river to the park, then about three more miles through it. It is ADA accessible and dog friendly, with restrooms and parking at the trailhead ($7 a car, passes valid; no trailer parking). A second phase will continue to Gardendale Landing, and ICRC plans an eventual link to the Saluda Riverwalk behind Riverbanks Zoo. See our Three Rivers Greenway guide for that trail.
Holiday Lights on the River
ICRC's drive-through light show is held here each winter. The 2026 dates and prices had not been published when we checked; our Christmas lights guide will carry them once they are.
More around Columbia
- Lake Murray Public Park guide, just upstream at the dam
- Things to do with kids
- Suburbs of Columbia: Irmo, Lexington and Chapin
The full list, by category: things to do in Columbia, SC.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get into Saluda Shoals Park?
Parking is $7 per car or minivan per day ($15 for a 12+ passenger van or bus). A monthly pass is $10 and an annual parking pass is $75.
What are Saluda Shoals Park hours?
In 2026: 7 am to 7 pm from September 15 to October 31, 7 am to 5 pm from November 1 to December 31, 7 am to 6 pm from January 1 to March 7, and 7 am to 8 pm from March 8 to September 14. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Can you rent kayaks at Saluda Shoals Park?
Yes, from April to October. Singles are $25 an hour, $35 for two hours or $50 a day; tandems are $35, $45 or $60. In October rentals run Saturdays 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays noon to 5 pm, and include the shuttle.
Are dogs allowed at Saluda Shoals Park?
The Riverwalk is dog friendly, and the park has the Barking Lot, a fenced off-leash dog park that costs $60 a year for up to two dogs, plus parking.
Where does the Saluda Shoals Riverwalk start?
At Dreher Shoals Landing, 6181 Bush River Road, Columbia. Phase 1 opened on August 19, 2026 with about 2.5 miles of paved trail and boardwalk leading into Saluda Shoals Park.