Riverbanks Zoo and Garden opened on April 25, 1974, along the banks of the Saluda River in Columbia and West Columbia, South Carolina. What began as a state-supported project in the early 1960s took years to plan, partly because archaeologists had to survey four historic sites found on the land before construction could begin.
Today the AZA-accredited facility covers 170 acres total and is home to more than 2,000 animals, with a 70-acre botanical garden that opened in 1995 making up part of that overall footprint and showcasing woodlands, historic ruins, and extensive plant collections. Popular exhibits include the African Plains habitat with giraffes and zebras, Sea Lion Landing, and the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Aquarium & Reptile Conservation Center.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Columbia & West Columbia, South Carolina
- Opened: April 25, 1974
- Size: 170 acres total, including a 70-acre botanical garden
- Animal count: More than 2,000 animals
- Annual visitors: About 1 million+
- Famous for: African Plains habitat and Sea Lion Landing
What to See at Riverbanks
The zoo’s African Plains exhibit lets giraffes and zebras roam across an open savanna-style habitat, while Sea Lion Landing, modeled after San Francisco’s Pier 39, gives visitors an up-close look at sea lion antics both above and below the waterline.
The Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Aquarium & Reptile Conservation Center, which reopened in March 2023 after a major renovation, replaced the original 1989 Aquarium-Reptile Complex and features a coral reef tank along with reptile habitats. Younger visitors gravitate toward Waterfall Junction, an interactive play area built around water features.
The Botanical Garden and Ongoing Growth
Across the Saluda River, the 70-acre Riverbanks Botanical Garden opened in 1995 as part of the zoo’s overall 170-acre property, and it’s connected to the main zoo grounds by a pedestrian bridge. It features woodlands, historic ruins, and extensive plant collections, and the zoo has earned the Southeastern Tourism Society’s Shining Example Award four times and South Carolina’s Governor’s Cup twice.
In December 2023, Riverbanks approved Phase Two of its ‘Bridge to the Wild’ expansion, a roughly $80 million investment plan first announced in 2022 to modernize habitats and visitor facilities in the years ahead.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Riverbanks Zoo FAQs
When did Riverbanks Zoo open?
Riverbanks Zoo opened on April 25, 1974, after years of planning that included archaeological surveys of the site.
How big is Riverbanks Zoo?
Riverbanks covers 170 acres total, including its 70-acre botanical garden across the Saluda River, which opened in 1995.
How many animals live at Riverbanks Zoo?
Riverbanks is home to more than 2,000 animals across its habitats, including the African Plains, Sea Lion Landing, and the Aquarium & Reptile Conservation Center.
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Photo: Surfer43 / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.