Road Trip: Learning About America’s Historic Waterways in Three Southern Cities

On my open-air quests across the South, I discovered three wonderful parks that feature stunning waterways. The three destinations form a triangle and that makes them perfect for a road trip itinerary.  If you prefer to spend less time in the car, you can take the highways.  If you’re looking for something more leisurely, I encourage you to take the small roads.  Along roads identified only by a number, there are places so rural that one sees private burial plots only 50 yards from the family farmhouse. 

As a bonus, all three of these public parks are free for you and your family to enjoy and can teach visitors a lot about America’s waterway history. These three parks will give you new reasons to fall in love with Columbia (SC), Augusta, (GA) and Greenville (SC).

Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia is known as the capital of South Carolina, but if nature lovers drive just 10 minutes west of the thriving downtown, they will find Riverfront Park & Historic Columbia Canal. This park is managed by South Carolina Trails. This State agency has a gorgeous website with tons of trail information, including length, difficulty level, amenities and surface material. Riverfront Park has a North Entrance on River Drive and a South Entrance on Laurel Street. 

The four-mile, paved trail is full of walkers and runners, but is wide enough so you never feel like you are impeding someone else’s pace.

The historic canal trail runs between two bodies of water. On one side is the historic Columbia Canal, which dates to 1824. In fact, the canal was constructed to bypass the rocks and rapids of the Saluda, Broad and Congaree Rivers. This made trade between the upcountry farms and the Port of Charleston easier. People transported corn, wheat, livestock, and of course, “King Cotton” via the canal.

In the 1890’s, the canal was reconstructed to provide water for hydroelectric generation.  It powered the first mill in the world to run completely on hydroelectric power. On the other side of the trail is the Broad River. There is something about watching a flowing river gently tumbling over rocks that makes you feel a thousand miles away from the city (even when you are in the middle of one). Trail management has provided a series of wide overlooks on the river side. These decks often have picnic tables to encourage relaxing and contemplation.

Signage informs visitors that the park is a habitat for Bald Eagles.  The area is also the perfect environment for the Rocky Shoals Spider Lily, which is listed as “imperiled” by the government and blooms in Spring.

Eating and Sleeping

While in Columbia, the Marriott Columbia Downtown makes a convenient place to lie your head at night. The riverfront park is only a 10- minute drive and the downtown is wonderfully walkable. Never miss an opportunity to refuel for your next hike at DiPrato’s Deli. (Read my previous article about DiPrato’s here).

Augusta, Georgia

Augusta is the home of The Masters Golf Tournament, so once each year the city captures the world’s attention. In reality, outdoor enthusiasts have another reason to visit Augusta, though.  Savannah Rapids Park is situated just 15 minutes northwest of downtown and offers fresh air enjoyment for amateurs and hardcore nature lovers alike. There are multiple trails for walking, running and biking. In addition, there are canoe and kayak launch areas. Bring your own kayak/canoe or rent one onsite.

There are two options for visitors here. Option one is the paved loop, which encircles the park itself including the pavilion building (which houses special event rental spaces), a playground, multiple seating areas and the parking areas. This route provides views of the wide canal and of a portion of Reed Creek. This loop is less than one mile long and is a good way to familiarize yourself with the park. Exercise Tip:  There are portions of this trail that include steep hills.

Option two is to walk the Towpath. In a similar manner to Columbia’s trail, this gravel path runs between the river and the canal for five miles. This path remains relatively flat.  Exercise Tip: This trail is not circular. Plan ahead for how much of the towpath you want to complete because you will need to turn around and do that same amount in the opposite direction to return to your car. There are intermediate milestones for users to complete at two miles and three and a half miles.

The towpath is considered the main canal trail and is the park’s claim to fame. It was originally used by draft animals to pull the cargo boats upstream to the locks. The bonus for visitors is that starting at Savannah Rapids Park allows you to see the raging Savannah River headwaters. The power of Mother Nature is on full display here and this is a must-see feature.

More information on Savannah Rapids Park can be found at www.savannahrapids.com and canal information can be found at www.augustacanal.com.

Eating and Sleeping

The Courtyard by Marriott on Stevens Creek Road is a great base of operations for hiking at Rapids Park. The center of the property is a real courtyard where you can relax. After your hike, you will have earned a little naughtiness, so eat at Great Chow Buffet, which is still one of the best Chinese buffets in the Southeast.

Greenville, South Carolina

In the last few years, Greenville has gained a national reputation as a great place to live. Part of the reason why is their revitalized downtown. The western terminus for this project is Falls Park on the Reedy. The Reedy River is a tributary of the more well-known Saluda River. In 2004, the City of Greenville opened Falls Park, which is a 20-acre multi-use property that includes waterfalls (hence the name), gardens, the Liberty Bridge and walking trails.

After you’ve worked up an appetite by exploring the multi-level park with its beautiful stonework, consider having lunch at one of the bistros nearby. A couple of restaurants overlook the park, and many local businesses are housed in restored brick warehouses along the river. The bonus for this water-centric park is that it was designed to be family friendly. If you are traveling with children, the City of Greenville’s Parks and Recreation Department even provides an activity book on its website for children to complete as they visit with their adults in tow.

Eating and Sleeping

Though, it is a 20-minute drive from Falls Park on the Reedy, the Greenville Marriott is my favorite hotel in the area. Their staff will learn your name and treat you right every time! After your hike, eat fresh, delicious food at the Yard House (read my previous article here) and rejuvenate with a little chair dancing as you listen to their terrific playlist.

These three Southern parks are a breath of fresh air (pun intended). It’s spring! The next six weeks or so are the perfect time to enjoy these unique parks. After that, Fall would be your next best opportunity to take a stroll and avoid roasting. Water features take center stage in each place, so go check them out, purify your soul and get to know America again.

A Final Note

If you love road trips, take a moment to read my South Carolina art & culture road trip itinerary featured on Budget Travel Magazine’s website!