Congaree National Park

State: South Carolina. Type: national park in Richland County, about 18 miles southeast of Columbia. Protects 26,692.6 acres, including the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the United States. Designated a national monument in 1976 and established as a full national park by Congress on November 10, 2003. Entrance is free; the visitor center is named for Harry Hampton, an early advocate for preserving the forest.

Congaree National Park protects a floodplain forest along the Congaree River in central South Carolina, preserved after a grassroots campaign that began in 1969 and led to national monument status in 1976 before Congress upgraded it to a national park in 2003. The park's centerpiece is its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, home to champion trees including a 167-foot loblolly pine and a 157-foot sweetgum, among the tallest of their kind in the eastern United States. A 2.4-mile elevated boardwalk loop lets visitors walk through the floodplain without getting their feet wet, while a network of hiking trails and a 20-mile canoe trail along Cedar Creek offer deeper access for paddlers and hikers. The Harry Hampton Visitor Center, near the park entrance, provides exhibits and ranger guidance. Congaree remains one of the least-visited national parks in the country, drawing 287,833 visitors in 2025, which gives it a quieter, less crowded feel than many other park-system sites.

The park is located at 100 National Park Road, Hopkins, SC 29061, in Richland County, roughly 18 miles southeast of Columbia, South Carolina's capital. It sits along the Congaree River floodplain in the central part of the state.

The region has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers reaching into the 90s Fahrenheit and mild winters with lows around 34 degrees. Summer brings significant mosquito and insect activity in the floodplain forest, which is a major factor in planning a visit.

Fall through spring generally offers more comfortable hiking conditions and far fewer insects than summer, when mosquito activity in the floodplain can be intense. Water levels and flooding, which can occur suddenly in the floodplain, are also worth checking before a visit, since they affect trail and boardwalk access.

Efforts to protect this stretch of old-growth floodplain forest began in 1969 as a grassroots campaign, building on decades of awareness raised by Harry Hampton, a newspaperman who advocated for saving the tract from logging by lumber interests. The area was designated Congaree Swamp National Monument in 1976, and Congress redesignated it a national park on November 10, 2003, both broadening its protections and raising its profile within the national park system. The park preserves the largest surviving tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States, a forest type that was once far more widespread across the American Southeast before extensive logging.

The 2.4-mile elevated boardwalk loop is the most popular way to experience the floodplain forest without wading through it, and it's accessible from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Hiking trails range from 0.7 to 11.1 miles, offering options for both short walks and longer backcountry treks. Cedar Creek's 20-mile canoe trail is a well-known paddling route through the swamp forest, and birdwatching is popular throughout the park given its old-growth canopy. Ranger-led programs are available at the visitor center for those wanting more guided context.

The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is the main hub for orientation, exhibits and ranger information. The elevated boardwalk loop showcases the old-growth canopy and champion trees, including a 167-foot loblolly pine and a 157-foot sweetgum among the tallest recorded in the eastern U.S. Cedar Creek offers a distinct paddling perspective on the floodplain for visitors bringing or renting a canoe or kayak.

The park sits about 18 miles southeast of Columbia, South Carolina, making Columbia Metropolitan Airport the nearest airport with commercial service. Driving is the practical way to reach the park; visitors should check current weather and road conditions before traveling, since the floodplain can flood the access roads at times.

The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with closures on New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, per the National Park Service. The park grounds themselves have their own operating hours and seasons; confirm current details on nps.gov before visiting, since hours can be affected by special events or resource-management activity.

Entrance to Congaree National Park is free; there is no fee to enter, per the National Park Service. As a fee-free park, Congaree does not maintain fee-collection staff, and America the Beautiful passes are not required here (though they remain valid at other fee-charging park sites).

A half day is enough to walk the boardwalk loop and visit the Harry Hampton Visitor Center; a full day allows time for a longer hiking trail or a Cedar Creek canoe trip.

The park itself offers backcountry and designated camping (details available via the park's lodging/camping page), while Columbia, about 18 miles away, offers the nearest concentration of hotels across all major chains for visitors who prefer not to camp.

There are no restaurants inside the park itself; visitors typically bring their own food and water, especially for longer hikes or paddling trips, and find dining options in Columbia or in smaller communities along the drive from the city.

Columbia, South Carolina's capital, is roughly 18 miles northwest and offers a wider range of museums, dining and lodging for visitors extending their trip beyond the park.

Columbia Metropolitan Airport is the nearest airport with commercial service, about 18 miles from the park. There is no public transit directly serving the park, so a personal or rental vehicle is the practical way to arrive.

Cell phone reception within the park is unreliable, so leave an itinerary with someone before backcountry trips. Water levels can rise suddenly in the floodplain, creating flooding risk on trails and the boardwalk, so check current conditions and forecasts before heading out. Insect repellent is strongly advised, particularly in summer, given significant mosquito activity in the floodplain forest.

Proper footwear and clothing for wet or muddy floodplain conditions, water, snacks, a first aid kit, a map or compass, and insect repellent (especially in summer) are all recommended by the park for anyone exploring beyond the boardwalk.

Check current water levels and weather before visiting, since sudden flooding can affect trail and boardwalk access. Because cell reception is unreliable inside the park, download any needed maps in advance and let someone know your plans if hiking into the backcountry. Visiting outside of peak mosquito season (roughly late spring through summer) makes for a considerably more comfortable walk through the floodplain.

For any emergency, dial 911. The park's general information line, per the National Park Service, is 803-776-4396.

Congaree National Park (National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.