A day in Congaree is peaceful, serene, and packed with opportunities to experience one of the last remaining old-growth floodplain forests in the country.
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Taking a day trip to Congaree National Park, South Carolina, is a great way to immerse yourself in an ancient forest landscape, surrounded by some of the tallest trees in the eastern United States and one of the most diverse ecosystems in the country.
Getting There
Congaree National Park is located in central South Carolina, just outside Columbia, the state’s capital. The park has one main entrance, accessible via National Park Road off Old Bluff Road. As one of the newest national parks in the United States, Congaree offers a unique glimpse into the region’s rich natural beauty and biodiversity.
Best Time to Go
Although Congaree National Park is open year-round, the ideal times to visit are in the spring and fall. During these seasons, the weather is generally milder and more comfortable for outdoor activities, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the park’s diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity.
Spring brings vibrant new life as the trees begin to bud, wildflowers bloom, and migratory birds return to the area. The lush green canopy and the sounds of chirping birds create a beautiful, immersive experience. The temperatures are pleasant, making it perfect for hiking, canoeing, and exploring the trails. Additionally, spring offers opportunities to witness the dramatic rise in water levels as the Congaree River swells, which can enhance the beauty of the wetlands and the sights along the trails.
Fall is equally enchanting, as the foliage transforms into a tapestry of warm colors—reds, oranges, and yellows—that contrast beautifully with the dark trunks of the towering trees. The crisp air and lower humidity of late fall make hiking and other outdoor activities particularly enjoyable. Wildlife is also more active during this time as animals prepare for winter, making fall an excellent time for birdwatching and wildlife photography.
In contrast, visiting in summer can be quite hot and humid, with temperatures often soaring, making outdoor activities more strenuous. The park can also be crowded during this season, particularly on weekends and holidays. Make sure to check the current water level when visiting in the summer months to make sure the trails aren’t flooded.
The winter months, while offering a unique serenity with a quieter landscape, may present challenges due to cooler temperatures and a less vibrant environment, as many trees shed their leaves, revealing a more barren landscape.
By choosing to visit in spring or fall, you can maximize your experience at Congaree National Park, enjoying both the lush scenery and the rich variety of wildlife while avoiding the extremes of summer heat and winter chill.
Day One
National Park Sign
We always kick off our trips to a National Park with a stop at the entrance sign. On the way in, it was quiet, so we snapped a quick selfie. It wasn’t the greatest shot, but it was something. When we left the park, we parked across the road from the sign and set my phone up on the hood with a timer. This way, we could capture a better photo since there were still no other visitors around.
Note: Congaree National Park does not charge an entrance fee.
First attempt at a photo, selfie-style
Photo on the way out using the vehicle and the camera timer
Harry Hampton Visitor Center
Before heading to the visitor center, be sure to apply insect repellent in the parking area. There are signs directing you that bug spray is only permitted in the lot and not within the park itself. This is important for protecting wildlife, especially fireflies, and their habitats.
At the visitor center, there are two buildings with a breezeway in between. As you walk up from the parking lot, the building on the right houses the restrooms with a water bottle filling station and water fountain underneath the Congaree National Park Mosquito Meter.
At the end of that building, on the side closer to the boardwalk trailhead, you’ll find the park ranger information station. This is where we had to get the Junior Ranger book and check the whiteboard with all of the trail, weather, river, and flood level status. Make sure to check this board before heading out to any other areas in the park.
The building to the left when walking through the breezeway is the park store and exhibit. Visitors can learn about the astonishing biodiversity within Congaree National Park. The park bookstore is also where you’ll find some trail food for sale along with books, maps, stuffed animals, and trinkets. If you collect the Passport Book stamps, there is a corner in the store to the left of the register with everything you need for your book.
Harry Hampton Visitor Center
Sign regarding insect spray
Mosquito Meter
In the park’s bookstore
Congaree’s park conditions sign
Trailhead for most of the trails behind the visitor center
Congaree Boardwalk Loop Trail
The Boardwalk Loop Trail is the most popular trail in Congaree National Park, offering a unique way to experience the park’s diverse South Carolina ecosystem. We were in awe of the tallest trees we had seen in a long time.
This 2.4-mile loop on an elevated boardwalk takes visitors through the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. You pass by giant bald cypress and water tupelo trees, giving a close-up view of the swampy environment without getting your feet wet. The elevated wooden boardwalk keeps hikers dry while offering a chance to observe wildlife, such as birds, frogs, snakes, and even the occasional river otter.
The trail is well-marked and relatively easy and it provides interpretive sign markers along the way that share information about the natural and cultural history of the park. The boardwalk also offers great photo opportunities, especially during the early morning or late afternoon when the light filters through the trees and reflects on the water. It’s a perfect introduction for a first visit to the Congaree River Floodplain forest and a peaceful way to explore the rich biodiversity of this lesser-known national park.
We walked the trail until we reached the intersection with the Sims Trail on the south side of the boardwalk. From there, we decided at the moment to walk down the Sims Trail to Wise Lake and back before continuing on the Boardwalk Loop Trail.
The start of the Congaree Boardwalk Loop Trail
Elevated section of the boardwalk
Ryan working on the Junior Ranger book along the trail
Large trees
Looking up at the giant trees
Quick stop at a bench for snacks and water
Congaree Boardwalk
Sims Trail
The Sims Trail is an alternate route to some of the longer trails in the parks, wish as the Weston Lake Loop Trail, Oakridge Trail, and the River Trail. It can also be used as a shortcut to make the popular Boardwalk Trail a shorter hike. When taking it south from the lower boardwalk trail, you can walk to Wise Lake and back without missing any of the points in the self-guided boardwalk tour brochure. Take a walk through the old-growth bottomland forest on the Sims Trail.
The Sims Trail winds past towering loblolly pines, some of the giants that helped inspire preservation efforts at Congaree National Park. Dead standing pines, or snags, serve as prime habitats for woodpeckers, including the Red-headed and Pileated Woodpeckers. The trail also crosses several wetlands, offering excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, with Red-shouldered Hawks and Barred Owls often seen lying in wait to catch crayfish and salamanders. Due to both natural and manmade disturbances, the trail features more open sky than most areas of the park, making it a great spot to see Chimney Swifts and Mississippi Kites in the summer, as well as Red-shouldered Hawks and vultures throughout the year.
Trail sign for the Sims Trail
Walking along the Sims Trail
Large spider in a web overhead
Sims Trail to Wise Lake
Wise Lake
At the end of the Sims Trail is Wise Lake, one of the oxbow lakes in the park. Wise Lake offers a remarkable experience for nature lovers, photographers, and hikers alike, encapsulating the beauty and biodiversity that make this park unique.
Located within the lush floodplain forests of central South Carolina, Congaree National Park is famous for its towering hardwoods, diverse wildlife, and ancient landscapes shaped by the Congaree and Wateree Rivers. Wise Lake itself serves as a serene example of a Southern cypress-tupelo swamp, reflecting the park’s wild, undisturbed beauty and the quiet mystique of an old-growth forest.
Stephanie, Ryan, and Tyler at Wise Lake
Looking at the lake between the trees
Large alligator swimming across the lake
Finish Boardwalk Trail
After walking down the Sims Trail to Wise Lake and back, we continued on the Boardwalk Loop Trail. When we got back on the Boardwalk Loop Trail, we were close to the Weston Lake Overlook. Since we wanted to see the lake, we took this very short detour to the end of the platform over the lake.
The trail comes back around on the last leg towards the visitor center. You will pass the firefly trail, which is the best place to see the synchronous fireflies during their season in the spring. When you get to the T in the boardwalk, turn to your right to continue back along the path to the visitors center.
Weston Lake Overlook
Our family on the Boardwalk
Stephanie with the largest tree in the park
Turn in Junior Ranger Book
Once we returned to the visitor center, Ryan excitedly handed in his completed Junior Ranger booklet. He then had the chance to take the oath with one of the park rangers, proudly reciting the pledge to protect and preserve the park. It was a memorable moment for him, symbolizing his commitment to conservation and his newfound role as a Junior Ranger. The ranger also presented him with a badge, marking his achievement and deepening his connection to the park.
Ryan taking the Junior Ranger oath
Day One Map
Congaree Visitor Center
Harry Hampton Visitor Center
The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is the main visitor center at Congaree National Park, offering valuable resources and information for park visitors. Named after Harry Hampton, a prominent conservationist and journalist who played a significant role in advocating for the preservation of Congaree’s forests, the center is a gateway to learning about the park’s unique ecosystem, history, and recreational opportunities.
Itinerary Options
Canoeing or Kayaking on Cedar Creek: After exploring on foot, take to the water on the Cedar Creek Canoe Trail, winding through the park’s floodplain forest. Paddling allows you to see parts of the park inaccessible by trail and lets you experience the silence and unique beauty of this ecosystem. You may also get to see the elusive river otters.
Sunset at Bluff Campground: If you’re still feeling adventurous, take the short Bluff Trail (0.7 miles) up to Bluff Campground. This elevated area provides views of the setting sun through the trees, casting a warm glow on the forest. It’s a beautiful, peaceful way to end the day.
Weston Lake Trail: This 4.4-mile loop trail takes you deeper into the floodplain forest and offers views of Weston Lake, Cedar Creek, and some of the largest trees in the park. The trail has quiet spots for sitting, so take in the sounds and sights of the forest around you.
Ranger Programs: Congaree National Park offers a variety of ranger-led programs that enhance the visitor experience by providing insight into the park’s unique ecosystem, history, and cultural heritage including guided hikes, campfire programs, wildlife viewing, and cultural or historical talks.
Camping: Stay for a night at one of the park’s two frontcountry campgrounds, Longleaf Campground or Bluff Campground. Or, get a permit to do some backcountry camping.
Southern Section: There is a small southern section of the park that includes two smaller hikes, the Bates Ferry Trail which is just over 1 mile along the Congaree River, and the smaller Fork Swamp Trail Loop.