In July of 1990, the Lower Saluda River Corridor Plan was finalized, printed, and put into motion. The next year the South Carolina legislature designated the Lower Saluda a S.C. Scenic River.

The designation brought government help into the picture. Promise of funding and other support became a reality. The corridor plan offered a blueprint of how best to add to the beauty of this scenic and natural waterway without taking anything away.

Saluda Shoals Park opened to the public in 1999. Although located in Lexington County, as part of the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission, the facility is designed to offer services to the entire Midlands area and visitors to the Columbia area.

The entrance is off Old Bush River Road between St. Andrews and the Lake Murray dam. Intended to be convenient to all area residents, the front gate is less than 20 minutes from downtown Columbia. As each year passes, more locals and visitors are discovering this place where a minimum of change transformed a natural river and forest environment into one of the most unique recreational facilities in the Midlands.

Last year over 392,000 people enjoyed Saluda Shoals Park's facilities including almost 48,000 who came for the special events: Piggin and Pickin at Saluda Shoals, a barbecue cook off and music festival, Unearth, the fall arts festival, and Holiday Lights on the River. The seasonal drive- through light show is becoming the park's best known event. Holiday Lights opened the day before Thanksgiving and the lights will remain from 6 to 10 pm until December 31.

Those involved with Saluda Shoals are extremely proud of the youth educational programs. Last year 13,150 children participated in everything from life and earth science classes to interactive canoe trips. Environmentally important subjects like interaction between plants and animals, biotic and abiotic factors in a living system, and effects of rainfall on the surrounding land were featured.

Adventure programs offer events that can be tailored to any age group or function. Birthday parties, Scout troops, and other organizations can receive a presentation by a park ranger, a craft activity, and a guided nature walk. Subjects feature mammals, bats, birds, rabbits, bugs, predators, turtles, snakes, spiders, and owls.

Saluda Shoals Park also has two classrooms with a 25 student capacity and a show- and- tell learning center inside the Exhibit Hall. The facility can handle more than 50 students at a time. There is plenty of room when the class room is 350 acres.

A fisherman's pass allows 24 hour coded entry into the park for those early risers wanting to wet a hook. There are also canoe and kayak rentals on site. On weekends, the park offers horseback trail rides.

There are trails to the shelters available for parties up to 135 people. There are paved trails, natural trails, and multi- purpose trails.