All About Congaree National Park in South Carolina
Congaree National Park is a unique natural treasure, known for preserving the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest.
Located in central South Carolina, in the southeastern United States, this park, covering about 26,276 acres, is famous for its towering trees, diverse wildlife, and rich biodiversity. It offers visitors a glimpse into an ecosystem that thrives in the floodplain of the Congaree River and Wateree Rivers.
What to do at Congaree National Park
Congaree Boardwalk
Sims Trail to Wise Lake
The Best Trails and Best Hikes at Congaree
- Congaree Boardwalk Loop
- Bluff Trail
- Sims Trail
- Weston Lake Trail
- Oakridge Trail
- Kingsnake Trail
- Firefly Trail
Things to do at Congaree National Park
- Hiking on one of the many trails through the old-growth forest
- Talk to rangers and participate in a ranger-led program from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center
- View wildlife in the swamp
- Go on a canoeing or kayaking tour down the river
- Camp in one of the few camping spots at one of two frontcountry campgrounds or get a backcountry permit
- Catch fish at one of the park's rivers and streams which are home to several species of fish
- Catch the synchronized firefly display in action in the late spring
What to see at Congaree National Park
Points of Interest
Congaree Visitor Center
Congaree 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.
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.
Passport Book Stamp Location
National Park Passport Book Stamp Locations
- Harry Hampton Visitor Center
Congaree National Park Basics
100 National Park Road,
Hopkins, SC 29061
None
Eastern
November 10, 2003
Location, Phone Number, and Address
Congaree’s physical address is 100 National Park Road, Hopkins, SC 29061. The park is in central South Carolina near the capital city of Columbia. You can reach the park by phone at 803-776-4396.
What are the Entrance Fees for Congaree?
Congaree National Park is a great place to visit for a budget-friendly trip since they do not charge an entrance fee.
Current as of July 2024
What Time Zone is Congaree National Park in?
Congaree National Park is in the Eastern Time Zone.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit Congaree National Park depends on your interests and what you hope to experience, but most visitors find spring and fall to be ideal due to milder temperatures and more comfortable conditions for outdoor activities.
For those wanting to catch the synchronized fireflies, go birdwatching, or see the wildflowers in bloom, spring is the best time to visit. Summer is the best time to go if you are planning to do water activities such as canoeing or kayaking. The Fall is a great time to hit a walking trail due to the cooker weather and fall foliage. In the winter, there are fewer crowds which makes it perfect for wildlife viewing and photography.
When did Congaree become a National Park?
Congaree National Park is one of the newest areas to become a national park in the United States. It was officially established on November 10, 2003.
Congaree National Park was designated as Congaree Swamp National Preserve Association in 1972 to prevent the logging efforts in the area. In 1976 the state of South Carolina passed legislation to create Congaree Swamp National Monument which was expanded further in 1988.
Because over two-thirds of the monument was a designated wilderness area, and became an Important Bird Area in 2001, Congress decided to upgrade the area to a national park on November 10, 2003. At this time, the word “swamp” was dropped from the name because it was confusing visitors.
How Big is Congaree National Park?
The old growth forest, giant hardwoods, and wilderness areas make up 26,692 acres or about 41 square miles.
Park Website
Always check the official park site for the most up-to-date information, hours, prices, and conditions.
Travel Tips for Congaree National Park
Driving Through Congaree
Congaree is one of the few parks in the National Park Service that doesn’t have any roads that you can drive through. When you enter the park, the road passes the Longlead Campground on the left then ends at the parking area for the visitors center. Almost all of the trails in the park start from here.
Where are the National Park Entrances?
The main entrance to Congaree National Park is located near the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, which serves as the primary starting point for visitors. The park can also be accessed via US 601 on the southwestern side of the park. This entrance leads to the parking lot for the Fork Swamp Trail and Bates Ferry Trail.
What is the Nearest City to Congaree?
North of Congaree National Park is South Carolina’s state capital city, Columbia. it is about 18 miles north of the park and the nearest big city with the most amenities. Other cities in the area include Cayce, West Columbia, Sumter, and Orangeburg in South Carolina.
What is the Nearest Airport to Congaree?
The closest major airport to Congaree is Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) which is about 30 minutes from the park. A bit further away are Charlotte Douglass International Airport (CLT) and Charleston International Airport (CHS) which are both about 2 hours from Congaree National Park.
Itineraries including Congaree National Park
Lodging Near Congaree National Park
Where to Stay
While there are no lodging facilities inside Congaree National Park, several nearby options exist. Try to find one on the southwestern side of the city of Columbia to have easy access to the national park. You can also find vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, and unique places to stay in the area.
Campgrounds in the Area
Congaree has two frontcountry campgrounds available for visitors. Both require reservations to be made in advance at recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Campers cannot pay in person at the visitor’s center. There are no sites for RVs or campers, the sites are for tents only.
Longleaf Campground is about 100 yards from the parking area. Those who are staying at the Bluff Campground must hike one mile to the campground before setting up. Longleaf Campground has two vault toilets and no running water available. There is water available 24 hours a day at the visitor center. There are no restrooms or running water at the Bluff Campground.
Outside of the park, the nearby Sesquicentennial State Park offers RV and tent camping with access to modern amenities like restrooms and showers.
What are the Closest National Parks to Congaree National Park?
370 miles • 6 hour drive
Facts about Congaree National Park
The Plants and Animals of Congaree
The park is home to some of the tallest trees in the eastern United States, including loblolly pines, bald cypress, and water tupelo trees. Many of these trees are classified as “champion trees” due to their exceptional size. The park’s unique forest has trees that reach heights of over 160 feet.
The park hosts a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, river otters, bobcats, wild turkeys, and a wide range of reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Birdwatchers can spot species like woodpeckers, owls, and many migratory birds. The park is also a designated International Biosphere Reserve due to its ecological significance.
What is the Highest Point? What is the Lowest Point?
The highest point in the park is 140 feet above sea level on Old Bluff Road. The lowest point is found at the Congaree River at only 80 feet above sea level.
Congaree Fun Facts
- Congaree is a floodplain forest, meaning it experiences periodic flooding, which helps to nourish and maintain its lush environment.
- Over two-thirds of the park is designated a "Wilderness area" and it is also a designated Important Bird Area.
- The tall trees in Congaree make up one of the highest temperate deciduous forest canopies remaining in the world.
- Congaree National Park is one of the least-visited parks in the United States and North America.
- The tallest tree in Congaree National Park in South Carolina is the National Champion loblolly pine, which is 170 feet tall and has a circumference of over 15 feet.