Saluda Riverwalk in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is a 170-acre zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden spanning both sides of the Saluda River from West Columbia into Columbia, SC. Riverbanks is home to more than 2,000 animals representing 350 species from around the world and one of America's best public gardens. The Zoo opened on April 25, 1974, and since that time, has connected individuals, families, and school children with the natural world. Today, Riverbanks is the largest Zoo in the Southeast and South Carolina's largest gated attraction, boasting a national reputation as one of America's best zoos and welcoming more than 1 million visitors annually.
Mission: It is the mission of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden to create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on conservation. We are dedicated to providing the highest standards of care for our animal and plant collections, a diverse educational and high-quality recreational experience for all Riverbanks guests, and devoting all the resources at our disposal for the conservation of the earth's flora and fauna.
Erected by South Carolina State Museum.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is April 25, 1974.
Location. 34° 0.608′ N, 81° 4.626′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Saluda Riverwalk. It can be reached from Candi Lane west of Greystone Boulevard, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia SC 29210, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stark's Ferry (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Saluda River Bridge (about 600 feet away, measured
Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 32 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
