Lexington is Lexington County’s largest town and seat. This South Carolina town is situated west of south Columbia and nestled on the shores of Lake Murray.
This vibrant and alluring town boasts small and large attractions for tourists from all over the state and beyond.
Spending time outdoors is an excellent way to enjoy nature and bask in the sun during a vacation.
Luckily, Lexington has many outdoor recreational venues like Lexington Square Park, located in the heart of downtown, and Corley Street Park featuring a sandbox area and spray pool.
Are you planning a trip to Lexington? Here are the best parks in Lexington, SC.
Best Parks in Lexington, SC
1. Lake Murray Public Park
The Lake Murray Public Park is a remarkable place to enjoy the outdoors.
This extensive lakeside park has many amenities, including a beach area. The park is perfect for visiting with family and kids.
There’s a public swimming area in the park that is suitable for kids to play in.
Additionally, groups can reserve the many picnic shelters and tables in the park.
During the summer, Lake Murray is an excellent place to fish. In addition, several fishing tournaments happen on the lake.
If you don’t have your boat with you, you rent a boat for a couple of hours.
Alternatively, you can sunbathe, swim or have a cookout at the park. This attraction is one of the best parks in Lexington, SC.
Address: 1832-1834 N Lake Dr, Lexington, SC 29072, United States
2. The Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve
Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve
This Preserve is a 460-sure sanctuary with some of South Carolina’s most diverse plant communities and the distinct formations that give the Preserve its name.
One of the features that makes Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve unique is that it is still in its natural state, unlike other preserves with artificial lakes, mangroves, and well-maintained hiking trails.
Layers of sandstone, fossils of old marine animals, tall long-leaved pines, and the state’s coastal plain’s only natural waterfall welcome guests looking for exciting nature adventure in Lexington.
This Preserve, located at the Peachtree Rock Road in Lexington, is a 4-2-kilometer loop trail perfect for all skill levels, whether a novice hiker or an advanced adventurer.
Come enjoy walking, hiking, or bird-watching. You can bring your loved ones, pets, and kids.
The Nature Conservancy and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources run this natural Preserve rich in history and culture with its fauna, flora, and unique geology.
Address: 883 Peachtree Rock Rd, Lexington, SC 29073, United States
3. Corley Street Park
Corley Street Park is an ideal way to chill in the humid weather of the South when you visit during the summer season.
Corley Street Park is the oldest park in the city, dating back to the 1970s.
This park, with numerous old trees, offers fun and leisure with its open field for picnics, a tiny pond with ducks, fish, turtles, and some frogs, and benches to relax by the water as you enjoy nature.
Corley Street Park is open from sunrise to sunset. All the areas in the park are available all through the year, excluding the spray pool, which is only accessible from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
With a grant of over 18,000 dollars from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation in 2011, renovations and upgrades were carried out to make the playground safer, kid-friendly, and more attractive with its picnic spaces, fish ponds, tennis courts, and open area.
The spray pool is the park’s latest addition after its main renovation, with additional playground installation, picnic shelters, and painted murals.
For the restoration, the Lexington Police Department included a phone call station for emergencies, while the Lexington Countywide Stormwater Consortium established a rain garden in the park.
Address: 204 Corley St, Lexington, SC 29072, United States
4. Segra Park
Segra Park
This Park houses the Columbia Fireflies minor league baseball team, an associate of the Kansas City Royals.
The multi-purpose sport and entertainment park is designed for soccer, baseball, football games, concerts, and many other activities.
Segra Park has 7,501 seats and can accommodate approximately 10,000 people for sporting events.
If you have additional time during your visit to this neighboring city, Segra Park is the ideal place to catch a ball game or go to a concert with your friends and create some fantastic memories.
Address: 1640 Freed Street, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
5. Virginia Hylton Park
At Virginia Hylton Park, You would enjoy solitude while listening to the chirping birds and watching the swaying trees.
The Park was named after previous Lexington Tower Council Member Virginia Hylton, who was involved in government service work from 1981 to 1998.
Visitors describe Virginia Hylton Park as a relaxing and excellent hangout destination with family and friends.
The Park features playgrounds, trees, a covered pavilion, and picnic tables.
There is the Butterfly Garden, Koi Pond, the Iris, Day Lily Garden, and the Camellia and the Twelve Mile Creek facing a rejuvenating artificial waterfall.
With its present size of 6.5 acres, plans are in progress for its renovation with an extra 8.25 acres to upgrade the park to provide the city with a social, playful, and recreational area for all, regardless of age.
Streams and walkways curl through the park. There’s also a playground for kids with disabilities to ensure everyone can be included.
Concerts are also hosted in the park from June to August. Virginia Hylton Park is undoubtedly one of the top parks in Lexington, SC.
Address: 111 Maiden Ln, Lexington, SC 29072, United States
6. Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park
Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park
Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park is a well-known linear modern park along the Columbia Canal and the Saluda River. Miles of paved path draws joggers, bikers, and walkers.
Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park is unique because it has an outdoor gym with seven pieces of equipment. You can also enjoy a free workout using the vertical press, lat-pull, elliptical, rower, and leg press machines.
Visitors recommend this park as a fantastic place for a picnic and to swim in the river.
Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park is also the site of the world’s first textile mile run by the oldest hydroelectric plant in South Carolina.
Explore this relic of historical significance or admire the local lush landscape.
Many annual festivals are held in Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park, including the Riverfest and Greekfest.
Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park is in Columbia, SC, 20 minutes from Lexington, SC.
Address: 312 Laurel St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
7. Gibson Soccer Park
Visitors can find this play area at the younger kid’s soccer fields. This Park is great for kids who want to roam around freely.
The Park has monkey bars, four slides, four swings, and a rock walk for enjoyment. It is no doubt one of the fun parks in Lexington, SC.
A shade is under one of the two picnic shelters, and the bathrooms are a great hike to the concession stands.
Gibson Soccer Park has tennis and volleyball courts and a small baseball field that is fantastic for a kickball game.
Address: 104 Duffie Dr, Lexington, SC 29072, United States
8. Lexington Paw Park
Lexington Paw Park
Lexington Paw Park is a 3-acre park dedicated to four-legged furry friends.
This Park provides dogs and their owners a fantastic atmosphere to socialize, interact and play.
All dogs are required by law to be vaccinated. Only neutered and spayed dogs are permitted on the park grounds.
All dogs must be attended to at all times; do not allow your dogs to roam unattended.
Aggressive dogs are not permitted inside Lexington Paw Park.
If your dog begins to act aggressively towards other dogs, you must take it from the park.
Address: 999 Hendrix St, Lexington, SC 29072, United States
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9. Fourteen Mile Creek Trail
Fourteen Mile Creek Trail
The Fourteen Mile Creek Trail is a 1.9-kilometer pathway close to Lexington, SC, with plenty of beautiful wildflowers.
If you and your kids enjoy the great outdoors, plan a trip to Fourteen Mile Creek Trail. It is perfect for beginner hikers and kids.
The Trail follows a creek and leads to a tiny meadow where children can wade in and splash around.
It also has bridges, designated areas for pets, places to sit, and an outdoor classroom.
Fourteen Mile Creek Trail is notable for all skill levels and offers numerous activity options.
Check out the outdoor learning center and educational kiosk to learn more about the local wildlife.
Your dog is allowed to use the Trail, but you must keep it on a leash.
Address: 1104 N Lake Dr, Lexington, SC 29072, United States
10. Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park
Visitors can peek into the natural landscape and ecosystem encircling the city.
Stroll through America’s most extensive old-growth bottomland forest, paddle down the 15-mile Cedar Creek Canoe Trail, and search for wildlife, such as bats, deer, snakes, otters, owls, bobcats, and much more.
If you happen to be there in the evening, expect to be amazed by the show put up by the fireflies.
Begin your visit with a stop at Harry Hampton Visitor Center to ask about the present condition of the park and pick up a brochure describing different natural and historical features in the area.
Guests love the relaxing 2.6-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail, which begins at the visitor center, lined with splendid cypress trees, and where wildlife sightings are regular.
Kids can become certified Junior Rangers by acquiring a workbook at the visitor’s center to document what they learn and discover.
Address: South Carolina, United States
11. Caractor Park.
Caractor Park is a small but lovely park in Lexington, SC. The Park has ample room to run about, and the ground is covered in rubber materials to prevent kids from getting hurt.
Caractor Park contains a mist fountain, hopscotch, four picnic shelters including grills, and a rope climber.
The Park’s water features are perfect for a hot summer day. Caractor Park is an excellent spot for a summer picnic with family and friends.
Address: 804 Hendrix St, Lexington, SC 29072, United States
12. Saluda Shoals Park
If you are looking for exciting, family-friendly outdoor activities near Lexington, head to Saluda Shoals Park.
This 480-acre riverfront park is located close to Lake Murray Dam. It is among the best places to go in Columbia for outdoor lovers.
Saluda Shoals Park is a natural, environmentally friendly park offering several exciting outdoor activities for adventure lovers.
The ten-mile-long multi-purpose Trail can be used for fishing, walking, and hiking. You can also rent kayaks and bikes and go on guided canoe trips.
Saluda Splash is excellent for cooling down on sweltering days, especially during the summer.
The interactive zero-depth water playground is a terrific place for kids to let loose and have fun.
Saluda Shoal Park, also suitable for dog owners, has an off-leash area known as the Barking Lot Dog Park. It is a fantastic place to take your adorable dog along for social interaction.
Address: 5605 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29212, United States
13. Gibson Pond Park
Gibson Pond Park
Gibson Pond Park extends 15 wooded acres and features picnic tables, bathrooms, circle paths, and more.
The Park is an ideal place to take a break from the city’s noise and enjoy nature and fresh air.
It was previously known as George’s Pond and was bought by Murray Gibson in 1934 and converted into a famous recreation area.
This “swimming hole” was popular among the residents, helping them escape from the hot South Carolina summers for approximately 40 years.
Besides the diving platform in the Park, Gibson included picnic tables, a pavilion, and rental cabins for visitors both local and abroad.
The park, now run by the Town of Lexington, was shut down in 1972 but was opened again to the public in 2007 with many significant additions, including a stunning overlook that provides an extraordinary view of a waterfall tumbling over an old gristmill.
Gibson Pond Park includes restrooms, paved trails, a large picnic shelter, and a restroom, but fishing is no longer permitted.
On October 4, 2015, when the state became ravaged due to enormous flooding, the pond’s dam broke down, leading to a heavy volume of water being released, subsequently flooding the area beneath it, including the old textile mill complex and the millpond.
In the early months of 2018, the Park underwent renovations. The town worked to reconstruct the dam, refilled the pond, and opened the property again to the public.
If you want to stroll, little pathways and a few picnic tables go through the woods.
The park also provided everything needed for a successful conference or event.
Address: 241 Gibson Rd, Lexington, SC 29072, United States
14. Sesquicentennial State Park
Sesquicentennial State Park
The State Park, situated in the Sandhills region, extends over 1,400 acres, approximately 12 miles from downtown Columbia.
Originally constructed by the civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the state park was bequeathed to the city of Columbia to mark 150 years.
Sesquicentennial State Park offers a retreat center with dormitory-style accommodation, a kitchen, and tent camping sites that visitors can book if they are staying overnight. Pads and picnic shelters are also available for reservation.
Nature enthusiasts can indulge in outdoor activities like renting pedal boats, fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks. Furthermore, they can go fishing along the 30-acre park lake.
Additionally, Sesquicentennial State Park contains a membership-only dog park where your four-legged friend can run off-leash.
Dogs can also goof around in the splash pad to cool down when the weather is hot.
Address: 9564 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29223, United States
15. Finlay Park
Finlay Park
The 14 acres Finlay Park, opened in 1991, is the biggest and most frequented park in downtown Columbia.
It was previously named Sidney Park but was renamed after an old Columbian mayor Kirkman Finlay in 1994.
The Park consists of a peaceful walking path surrounding a small lake, playgrounds, mature landscaping, a water feature, and the status of Kirkman Finlay sitting on a park bench.
A sweeping view on the park’s north side along Laurel Street faces the Governor’s Mansion and serves as a lovely place to watch the sunset.
Finlay Park hosts many festivals and events, including the Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series.
Address: 930 Laurel St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
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Plan Your Trip to Lexington
Lexington, SC, is the ideal vacation getaway for thrill-seeking adventurers or nature lovers who love to bond with flora and fauna.
The city is a stunning place to visit, with compelling Southern world charm that will constantly excite you after you leave.
With so much to see and do in this fantastic city, you will undoubtedly want to add it to your travel bucket list.