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.
Congaree Boardwalk Loop Trail Basics
1-2 Hours
2.6 Miles
Loop Trail
13 Feet
Duration: 1-2 Hours
Plan to spend about 1-2 hours on the Boardwalk Trail. While it could be done quicker, that doesn’t give you the time to enjoy your walk through the loblolly pine trees and stop at all of the points noted in the self-guided boardwalk tour brochure.
Distance: 2.6 Miles Roundtrip
The boardwalk loop starts at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and after about 0.3 miles it splits to the two sides of the loop. Each section of the path is about half of a mile.
Type: Loop Trail
This trail through old-growth bottomland hardwood forest is a loop trail, but it’s shaped more like a square with some lower portions of the boardwalk and other more elevated sections of the boardwalk.
Elevation Change: 13 Feet
Overall, there is very little elevation change on the elevated section of the boardwalk. There are just a few places where it inclines or declines enough that the ramp can be a little slippery, especially when wet.
Season: Spring, Fall
Even though Congaree National Park is open year-round, the best time to visit is in the spring or fall. You avoid the warmer months of summer and the barren landscape of the winter.
Time of Day: Any
If it’s warm outside, consider taking this trail early in the morning or late in the evening. This is also going to be the best time for wildlife viewing. In the summer, avoid sunset, though, as that’s typically when the mosquitos swarm.
Amount of Shade: Mostly Shaded
Since you are walking through giant trees, and a variety of trees, the boardwalk is mostly shaded throughout the day.
Difficulty: Easy
At 2.6 miles, this is one of the easiest and most accessible longer hikes I’ve been on in a National Park. The elevated boardwalk keeps you above the uneven ground below and makes for an easy walk through the large trees.
What Makes Congaree Boardwalk Loop a Great Hike?
This 2.4-mile loop 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, and 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.
Scenery on the Congaree Boardwalk Loop Trail
Start of the Trail
The trail starts from the visitor center and comes to an intersection with the Bluff Trail on the right. There’s a set of stairs that takes you down to the forest floor if you want to walk that trail. Otherwise, continue on through some of the largest trees in this part of the country. When you get to the intersection on the boardwalk, continue straight ahead on the right fork of the path to go counter-clockwise around the path. You can walk in either direction on the path, but this will keep you walking in order of the self-guided tour.
Trailhead from the visitor center
A look at the forest
On the Trail
Take in the smells of forest life as you walk on the raised boardwalk. The first section takes you through cypress trees with cypress knees everywhere. You’ll also see bald cypress trees, water tupelos, loblolly pines, overcup oaks, sweetgum trees, American beech trees, cherrybark oaks, laurel oaks, red maple, and sycamore trees throughout your walk. Be on the lookout for some of the bird species known to the park such as pileated woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, the great blue heron, barred owl, red-shouldered hawk, warblers, the white ibis, vultures, mallards, and the Carolina wren.
About halfway through the trail, after you pass the crossing with the Weston Lake Loop and the Sims Trail, you’ll come to the Weston Lake Overlook. This is a small raised platform that looks over Weston Lake.
Weston Lake Overlook
Turtle in Weston Lake
End of the Trail
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.
One of the sings on the boardwalk
Rest for a snack and water at one of the many benches along the Congaree Boardwalk Loop Trail
Notable Places on the Hike
There are many stops along the trail, but some of the main points of interest are:
- Beech Tree
- Big Bald Cypress Trees
- Big Loblolly Pine
- Weston Lake Overlook
- Moonshine Still
Stephanie at one of the largest trees in the park
Weston Lake from the overlook
Congaree Boardwalk Loop Trailhead Information
Park Name: Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park is located in central South Carolina, just outside of the state's capital city of Columbia. There's only one main entrance that can be reached via National Park Rd off of Old Bluff Road. Congaree is one of the newest national parks in the United States.
Finding the Trailhead
When you walk through the breezeway at the visitor center, the boardwalk trail is well-marked. It starts at ground level from the southwest corner of the visitor center complex.
Markers Along the Trail
As you walk along the boardwalk through the Congaree Wilderness, look for the small wooden markers with numbers on them. Those correspond to the numbers in the self-guided tour brochure that you can pick up outside of the visitor center. It will discuss a mix of history, culture, biology, and the environment.
Nearest Restrooms
The only restrooms in the park that are open to the public are the restrooms found at the visitor center. When you walk through the breezeway, they are on your right-hand side. These are fully operational flushing toilets and sinks. Longleaf Campground has a set of vault toilets for campers.
Parking Area
The parking lot for the Boardwalk Trail is the same lot used for the visitor's center and the two frontcountry campgrounds in the park.
Other Trails at this Trailhead
- Sims Trail
- Picnic Trail
- Firefly Trail
- Bluff Trail
- Longleaf Trail
- Weston Lake Trail
- Oak Ridge Trail
- River Trail
- Kingsnake Trail
Tips for Congaree Boardwalk Loop
- This is one of the few trails in a National Park that allows dogs, but they must be on a leash at all times and owners must take responsibility for their animals.
- There are many wild hogs in the area. At times, all trails south of the boardwalk may close for feral hog management work.
- You cannot see Cedar Creek from the boardwalk, but you can take the Sims Trail to Wise Lake which crosses the creek, or take the Weston Lake Loop to walk the creek.
- Insect repellent may only be used in the parking area. Make sure to check the Mosquito Meter above the restrooms and plan accordingly.
- Always check the trail conditions and weather with the rangers before setting out on the trails. The park is known for flooding and you don't want to get caught in a flash flood, especially on the low boardwalk areas.
- You'll find benches all along the Boardwalk Loop Trail to stop and rest as needed. You can sit here to take in the simple sights and face scenery not seen anywhere else, perfect to bring out the nature lover in everyone.
Accessibility Information for Congaree Boardwalk Loop Trail
Boardwalk
Paved
Trail Type: Boardwalk
The entire trail is an elevated boardwalk that is very well maintained. There are very few inclines and declines along the trail. The only place that doesn’t have boards is at the intersection with the Sims Trail. It’s a very small patch of gravel to cross back onto the boardwalk.
Parking: Paved
The parking area for the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and access to most of the park’s trails is a paved lot with multiple handicap-accessible parking spaces.