Guest Relations

All exhibits, restrooms, trams, restaurants and gift shops are wheelchair accessible; however, the upper portion of the Woodlands Walk nature trail is not.

Wheelchair-accessible restroom locations:

• Main Entry Plaza
• Discovery Center
• Ndoki Plaza
• Palmetto Plaza
• Carousel Plaza
• Bog Garden
• Botanical Garden Magnolia Center
• Waterfall Junction Learning Center

Public Safety and First Aid are located near the main entrance to the Zoo and at Waterfall Junction. In case of emergency, please notify a uniformed employee or call Public Safety at 803.602.0814.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden allows people with disabilities to use wheelchairs (manual and electric powered), electric scooters (3 and 4 wheel models) and manually powered mobility aids such as walkers, canes, crutches, braces and other similar devices into all public areas of the park. For the safety of all guests, Riverbanks does not allow Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices in the Zoo and Garden including, but not limited to golf carts, Segways, and two-wheeled electric scooters.

Handicapped parking spaces are available in the Zoo’s visitor parking lot and the Garden’s visitor parking lot. Official state handicapped parking permit is required.

Riverbanks strives to provide an excellent and inclusive experience for all guests. Sensory Packs are available for check-out in Guest Relations at both the main Zoo entrance and the Garden entrance. Packs include items that may assist during your visit such as ear muffs, sunglasses, fidget toys, ice packs and photo books.

• Pets and companion animals are not allowed inside Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Guests who rely on service dogs may bring them into the park, provided they follow Riverbanks’ policy and the policy outlined by ADA regarding proper control. Guests with service dogs and service dogs in-training will receive a copy of Riverbanks’ policy upon entry to the park. To view the full ADA policy, please visit the ADA website.
• Kennels are not available for those who need to leave their service animal during their Zoo stay.

Tram service between the Zoo and Garden is offered daily. Operation and availability are subject to change. Guests may also enter the Garden by parking at the Botanical Garden parking lot at 1300 Botanical Parkway, Columbia SC, or by walking from the Zoo along the paved River Trail and Woodlands Walk. The Woodlands Walk is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.

Two ATM machines are conveniently located in the Zoo and one at Waterfall Junction.

First Aid is located near the main entrance to the Zoo and at Waterfall Junction. In case of emergency, please notify a uniformed employee or call Public Safety at 803.602.0814.

Lost & found is located at the Zoo’s main entrance.

Picnic tables and trash facilities are located at the west end of the Zoo’s parking lot. There are no restrooms in the picnic area. Visitors may leave the Zoo for picnics and return to the park without any additional charge by presenting the original admission receipt. For the safety and comfort of our guests, the following items are not permitted in the picnic area: open fires, grills of any type, pets (except service dogs), fireworks, firearms, radios, alcohol or smoking.

Facility rentals and catering are available for private corporate events and weddings.

Riverbanks’ restrooms are located in several areas throughout the park including the Zoo’s main entry plaza, near the Aquarium, across from the elephant exhibit, next to the Farm, and near the carousel. There are also facilities in the Bog Garden plaza at the Botanical Garden entrance, inside the Learning Center at Waterfall Junction and in the Magnolia Center in the Walled Garden. In addition, a private room for nursing mothers is located inside the SCE&G Guest Relations Center.

Tram service between the Zoo and Garden is offered daily. Operation and availability are subject to change. Guests may also enter the Garden by parking at the Botanical Garden parking lot at 1300 Botanical Parkway, Columbia SC, or by walking from the Zoo along the paved River Trail and Woodlands Walk. The Woodlands Walk is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.

(operating times may vary)

Fresh-squeezed lemonade, lemonade ICEE, popcorn, cotton candy, and beverages.

(operating times may vary)

ICEE, hand scooped ice cream, soft serve ice cream, popcorn, cotton candy, and souvenirs.

(operating times may vary)

Soft serve ice cream, soft pretzels, popcorn, and cotton candy.

(operating times may vary)

Ice cream of the future.

(operating times may vary)

Funnel cakes and beverages.

(operating times may vary)

ICEE ‘Mix It Up’, popcorn, and cotton candy.

(operating times may vary)

Bird-Friendly coffee, ICEE, Dippin’ Dots, soft pretzels, popcorn, and cotton candy.

(operating times may vary)

ICEE, soft pretzels, fountain beverages, popcorn, and cotton candy.

(open daily)

Fresh made-to-order salads and sandwiches, burgers, pizza, hand-battered chicken tenders, kid’s meals, fountain beverages, and Bird-Friendly coffee.

(operating times may vary)

Brick oven pizzas, soft pretzels, ICEE, and draft beer.

(operating times may vary)

Hand-pressed, made to order specialty burgers, tater tots, and draft beer.

To view and/or purchase your photos taken by an ADVENTURE PHOTO representative during your visit at Riverbanks, please visit the ADVENTURE PHOTO web page and fill out the contact form. An ADVENTURE PHOTO representative will be in contact with you within 1–3 business days. To help us locate your photos, please provide as many distinguishing details for each guest in your photo as possible (i.e., Child/Adult, Male/Female, Hair Color/Length, or any other details that may help your photos stand out).

(temporarily closed)

Have a sweet tooth? This is the spot for you! Enjoy a variety of candies, snacks, ice creams, and a kid-friendly selection of Riverbanks souvenirs.

(open)

We have an enormous selection of Riverbanks souvenirs! Be sure to check out our ever-growing selection of clothing, hats, stuffed animals, toys, and much more. Stroller and wheelchair rentals also available.