Discover Columbia
Accommodation in Columbia
Columbia County combines outdoor experiences at Clarks Hill Lake with trails for a variety of activities and a history reflected in its churches, museums, and historic buildings. Families can tailor their plans to their interests: paddling and hiking, a bike ride, or places that tell the story of the region’s past. These different destinations provide specific starting points for choosing a vacation rental that suits your travel plans.
By the Water and in Nature
Mistletoe State Park is located on Clarks Hill Lake, which covers 71,100 acres. The park has 15.5 miles of trails with varying levels of difficulty. This makes it an appealing choice for visitors who want to include nature trails in their trip; trail lengths and varying levels of difficulty can be taken into account when planning the day. Wildwood Park also provides access to Clarks Hill Lake. For a stay that includes water and nature, these two places are natural starting points—but they should not be considered a single destination.
On the water, Serene18 is a self-guided paddling experience offering kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. It includes five sections and a challenge where completed routes can be stamped in the official Explorer Pass. For those who prefer to explore on land, the Bartram Trail offers an 18.5-mile one-way route. The trails have varying levels of difficulty and are suitable for mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, and camping. When planning, it is important to account for the one-way route and choose activities suited to your interests.
Trails and Experiences for Different Interests
The approximately 4.2-mile Euchee Creek Greenway is used for walking, running, and cycling. Visitors can access it from trailheads at Patriots Park or in the Canterbury Farms neighborhood. For those who want to include different forms of exercise in their trip plans, it offers a specific trail with several uses. The Evans To Lock Trail is another option: It is 6 miles long, fully paved, and wheelchair accessible.
Nature observation and educational experiences are also among the options. The Wetland Interpretive Center is free to visit and features live animal exhibits and informative displays. Guided walks are available on request. Programs take place at Mistletoe State Park year-round, including astronomy events, concerts, and nature walks. If you want to include a specific program in your trip, you can check its exact dates when planning.
Savannah Rapids Park is a 33-acre park for passive recreation and has been a destination for nature lovers for more than 150 years. The park is home to the Lockkeeper’s Cottage, built around 1880 and now serving as Columbia County’s state-certified visitor center. For guests who want to begin their stay with an introduction to the region, this place combines a visit to a park with a historic building and a visitor center.
Discover History and Historic Sites
Old Kiokee Baptist Church is Georgia’s oldest continuously operating Baptist church. The present building was built at this site in 1808. The Columbia County Courthouse dates to around 1812 and is the oldest courthouse still in use in Georgia. The two places offer different perspectives: The church represents the history of a congregation that has continued to operate, while the courthouse has both historic and contemporary significance as a building still in use.
The Harlem Museum and Welcome Center shares the history of the city of Harlem and part of Columbia County’s history. Its current location offers more space, storage capacity for the collection, and a larger exhibition area. It also presents the story of Laurel and Hardy and their cultural impact. In addition, Heggie’s Rock Preserve covers about 101 acres in Columbia County—another natural area for travelers who want to include landscapes as well as historic sites.
When choosing where to stay, it is worth deciding on your priorities first: A trip focused mainly on paddling and trails calls for different interests than a visit to historic sites or exhibitions. Columbia County is about two hours from Atlanta and is near Augusta. For further orientation, see Grovetown, Evans, and Harlem. This makes it easy to find a vacation rental that suits your planned excursions and the focus of your trip.
For the broader travel overview: Georgia.
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