The Columbia concept encompasses a wide range of recreational facilities and amenities. The Columbia Association, or "CA," builds, operates and maintains most of these facilities. A private nonprofit corporation, CA is supported in part by Columbia property owners through an annual charge that cannot exceed $0.75 per $100 of assessed valuation (current rate $0.68) fixed by state law at 50% of fair market value as determined by the State of Maryland on all taxable residential, commercial and industrial property under the Columbia Association covenants.

Fees are charged at some facilities, such as swimming pools and boat docks. Others, including parks, tot lots and many tennis courts, are free. CA recreational clubs and facilities are available separately or through a "Package Plan," which allows the use of most (with a few exclusions) CA-owned facilities as frequently as desired for a single yearly membership fee.

Columbia's recreational amenities include:

• Columbia Swim Center (3 indoor pools and 2 water slides)
• Columbia Athletic Club with 2 squash courts, a platform tennis court, 6 racquetball/handball courts, 4 indoor tennis courts, circuit weight training room, indoor running track, sauna and whirlpool facilities
• Supreme Sports Club with 12 indoor racquetball courts, exercise and weight rooms, a high-tech equipment room, sauna and whirlpool, indoor swimming pool, women's gym, basketball and volleyball courts, 1/10th mile track, roller skating and youth fitness rooms
• The Columbia Gym with adult and youth areas, indoor swimming pool, cardiovascular and strength training, free-weights, women's gym, aerobics and Day Spa
• 23 outdoor swimming pools
• 3 outdoor tennis clubs (23 lighted courts)
  
• 6 outdoor public tennis courts
• 20 outdoor public tennis courts operated by the Board of Education
• 2 Nautilus centers
• 2 18-hole golf courses
• Columbia Bowling Center (owned and operated by a private enterprise)
• Columbia Ice Rink
• Columbia Horse Center
• Columbia SportsPark with miniature golf, batting cages, picnic pavilions, clubhouse and playground

More than 5,300 acres have been set aside for parks, playgrounds and natural open space areas, including:

• 3,200 acres currently owned and managed by Columbia Association
• 3 lakes for sailing, boating, and fishing
• 163 tot lots and play areas
• 88 miles of pathways for walking, biking and jogging
• the 950-acre Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, a nature preserve managed by Howard County