West Columbia’s Riverwalk was the site of mass visitation, on Monday, Labor Day. The City of West Columbia’s free parking lots were getting maximum use.

The parking lot at Carraway Park was filled and so was the street parking on Alexander Road. Drenched river-dippers walked across the filled Riverwalk parking lot carrying tubes. West Columbia’s Riverwalk was one of the most-used public attractions in Lexington and Richland Counties on the day that has come to symbolize the ending of the Summer season.

Michael Mayo, owner of river-tubing outfitter Palmetto Outdoor, said upgrades and the repair of Riverwalk this summer have drawn large numbers of visitors to the Congaree River.

“I could not be happier with the leadership of West Columbia for their effort to get all of Riverwalk reopened,” Mayo said. Riverwalk was closed after the concrete path and boardwalk were damaged by river flooding. “With the repair of all sections of the Riverwalk, there are more places for tubers to get off the river.”

When the Riverwalk was reopened, West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles.expressed his gratitude.

“The reopening of the entire Riverwalk is a wonderful moment for West Columbia. This space brings people together to connect with nature, exercise, and enjoy time with family and friends. We are grateful for the community’s support throughout the restoration efforts, and we are excited to see the Riverwalk once again serving as a gathering place for all,” Miles said.

Repair work on Riverwalk began in July and a portion of the trail was reopened in the same month. Mayo said the repairs resulted in large numbers using the river.

“July was Palmetto Outdoor’s biggest month on record,” he said. “The number of tubers on the river was up 15 percent compared to last year.”

Tubers come from Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, Washington DC and lots come from Florida, Mayo said. He also said Labor Day was great. Palmetto Outdoor will go to a weekend-only schedule, instead of open all week, on Sept. 7.

Palmetto Outdoor also offered a new attraction in the 2025 season that drew more users to West Columbia’s Riverwalk. A tubing trip for ages under 10 and weighing at least 45 pounds, was a big hit. The new trip originates in West Columbia and floats to the new Cayce outtake landing at Kelly Jones Park.

“The new trips for younger tubers attracted large groups at times this summer,” Mayo said. “It’s a more casual float of only an hour-and-a-half, and there’s no white water.”

Mayo also said the rinse-off shower installed at the Riverwalk Park by the City of West Columbia is a great addition. “The new shower stall gets lots of use,” he said. “People love to rinse off when they get out of the river.”

Mayo said the high volume of use of the Riverwalk has other benefits, too.

“When they get off the River, they’re starving,” he said. “We send them to Zesto, D’s Wings, Terra, Black Rooster, Cafe Strudel, or Savage Craft. A lot of the tubers stay overnight at West Columbia hotels and they come back out to dine in the evening,” Mayo said.

West Columbia has one of the most attractive public spaces in the County. And now all of it is open. Make sure you get out and enjoy the cooler fall weather on West Columbia’s Riverwalk.