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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- With summer in full swing, many folks are preparing to test the water.  And for some nature lovers, they're hoping the opportunity to enjoy Columbia's waterways, gets a little easier.

Rafters like Eric Schaphoff enjoys spending his free time, riverside.  But he says getting to his favorite spot along the Saluda can be a headache.

"We carry canoes down," said Schaphoff.  "Two people down the trails are okay, but when you have that much and you have other things carrying with you, life jackets and all of that it would make it a lot easier,"

The Midlands man says things would be easier, if there were move paved paths leading to the waterways.  The long-time rafter says he wants safer accessibility to the river. 

"Kayakers don't have to go and put in, in odd places and take chances of falling over rocks to carry their stuff in and out," said Schaphoff.

Currently those out enjoying the Congaree Creek have several options on where to enter.  Since January a third entrance was added, allowing water enthusiasts more accessibility.  It's an option Schaphoff also wants for the Saluda.

"The next access landing is either further down on Congaree," said Schaphoff.  "Or the earliest one would be near the old radio station off Bush River Road."

But a potential road block to those preparing to paddle the river, could be the nearby Riverbanks Zoo.  Wach Fox News contacted zoo officials Tuesday, but no one was available for comment.  However a similar situation last month, led to the Zoo's executive director Satch Krantz, voicing his concerns on the need to limit party-like atmosphere near the family-friendly attraction. 

"This is not aimed at the regular zoo visitor, this is aimed at the activities that occur in our parking lot; usually late in the afternoon, associated with people trying to access the river" said Krantz in May. 

However Eric Schaphoff says river goers like him aren't looking to cause chaos, instead they only want to go with the flow in order to enjoy the Saluda this summer.