Harbison State Forest is a unique location in Columbia, South Carolina. Over 2100 acres and more than 20 miles of trails make Harbison State Forest a great place to be in nature in an urban environment. It starts and ends in the same location allowing runners, hikers, and mountain bikers to experience all they would expect of being outdoors. Steep climbs, declines, a creek crossing are just some of the features this trail offers.

The history of the Forest dates back thousands of years. Catawba and Cherokee tribes frequently traversed the woodlands to reach an ancient fording location on the Broad River. Early roads and paths leading to the ford made the area an attractive location for the first European settlers who formed a community which came to be known as Dutch Fork (from "Deutsche volk").

In 1951 the South Carolina Forestry Commission purchased 2,135 acres of land on the Broad River from the Board of National Missions for the Freedmen of the Presbyterian Church. The Church stipulated that the land be named "Harbison Forest" in honor of a major benefactor In 1981, the Forestry Commission approved a master plan for the long-term development of the tract. The goal was to provide a public greenspace to serve as an educational environment promoting the value of the state's forests and encouraging the stewardship of all of our natural resources.

Click Here for Registration

This event listing provided for the Columbia community events calendar. Community events are not associated with or sponsored by AARP, but may be of interest to you. If you have an event to share, let us know!

Images provided by AmericanTowns.com, Ticketmaster