Congaree National Park
- WD - Home
- Dec 26, 2025
- 2 min read
Congaree National Park Travel Guide
Deep in South Carolina's floodplain, Congaree National Park preserves the largest remaining tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the Southeast. Towering loblolly pines and champion hardwoods rise above a maze of sloughs and oxbow lakes, nourished by periodic floods from the Congaree and Wateree rivers. The park is a living laboratory of biodiversity, offering a respite from the nearby city of Columbia.
Congaree feels like a cathedral of ancient hardwoods, where champion loblolly pines and cypresses rise above a flooded forest nourished by the Congaree and Wateree rivers.
How to Get There
The park is about 18 miles Southeast of Columbia, South Carolina. From Interstate 77, take exit five and follow SC 48 (Bluff Road) to Old Bluff Road; signs lead to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is the nearest major airport. There is no public transportation to the park; you'll need a car. Many travelers combine a visit to Congaree with trips to Charleston or Savannah along the coast.
Know Before You Go
Admission is free. The park is open 24 hours a day, but the visitor center has limited hours of operation. Floods can occur at any time, submerging boardwalks and other areas. Mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies are abundant; wear protective clothing and use repellent. Summer humidity is intense; pack water and electrolytes. Canoe permits are required for overnight trips. Primitive camping is allowed at designated sites.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit, with mild temperatures and fewer bugs. Winter brings leafless trees and high water levels, providing unique reflections. Summer is lush but hot and buggy; it's also when synchronous fireflies put on a dazzling light show in late May.
Best Things to Do
Walk the 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop through towering trees and tupelo swamps. Paddle Cedar Creek Canoe Trail to spot otters and barred owls. Climb the fire tower on the Weston Lake Loop Trail for an aerial view of the canopy. Join a ranger-led kayak tour or a night hike during firefly season. Birders should bring binoculars for woodpeckers and prothonotary warblers.
Best Hikes
Boardwalk Loop (2.4 miles, easy): Elevated path through cypress tupelo swamp forest.
Weston Lake Loop (4.5 miles, easy): Adds a floodplain forest walk and a climb up the fire tower.
Oakridge Trail (7 miles, moderate): Trails through diverse bottomland habitats; expect mud and fallen logs.
Kingsnake Trail (11 miles, strenuous): Long, little-used trail ideal for birding and solitude.
Places to Stay
There are no lodges or developed campgrounds in the park. Tent sites are available at Longleaf and Bluff campgrounds, with pit toilets and no water; reservations are required. Backcountry camping along the river is by permit. Columbia offers hotels, B&Bs, and numerous restaurants, all just a 30-minute drive away.
Places to Eat
Bring all food and water for your visit. In nearby Columbia, sample Southern cuisine at Motor Supply Co. Bistro or barbecue at Southern Belly BBQ. The Soda City Market downtown is a great place to pick up picnic provisions on Saturdays.
