National park · United States
Congaree National Park
Go for one half-day from Columbia: walk the 2.6 mi Boardwalk Loop before 10:00, add the Weston Lake or Oakridge loop if the ground is dry, and skip the drive if Cedar Creek is in flood — the boardwalk closes first.Go for one half-day from Columbia: walk the 2.6 mi Boardwalk Loop before 10:00 AM, add the Weston Lake or Oakridge loop if the ground is dry, and skip the drive if Cedar Creek is in flood — the boardwalk closes first.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
107 km² (41 sq mi)41 sq mi (107 km²)
approximate
Established
1976
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 107 km² (41 sq mi)41 sq mi (107 km²)
- About 107 km² (26,500 acres) of floodplain; protected from 1976 as a national monument, redesignated a national park in 2003, and the boundary has been expanded since (check).
- Established
- 1976
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Congaree protects the largest remaining old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States: a flat, flood-prone floodplain of bald cypress, water tupelo and loblolly pine on the Congaree and Wateree rivers, about 30 minutes from downtown Columbia. There are no mountains and no entrance gate — you park, walk, and the forest does the rest. The catch is water: after heavy rain the boardwalk and low trails flood, and summer brings heat, mosquitoes and afternoon storms. Come in spring or autumn, start early, and treat the creek as the main event.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1983Designated as Congaree Swamp National Monument, before national park status.
Size and age
107 km² (41 sq mi)41 sq mi (107 km²) · national park since 1976
About 107 km² (26,500 acres) of floodplain; protected from 1976 as a national monument, redesignated a national park in 2003, and the boundary has been expanded since (check).
Why go
- The tallest known examples of several eastern tree species grow here, including loblolly pine and bald cypress.
- A raised boardwalk crosses the floodplain, so you see the swamp without wading.
- Cedar Creek is a flatwater canoe route through old-growth forest, with ranger-led trips in spring and fall.
- It is the only national park in South Carolina and an easy half-day from Columbia.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanBare trees, few people, cold mornings
- FebQuiet; water often high
- MarGreen returns; mild walking
- AprWarm, dry spells, birds active
- MayWarm; mosquitoes start
- JunHot and humid; afternoon storms
- JulPeak heat and mosquitoes
- AugHot; storms; flooded low trails
- SepStill hot; hurricane-season rain
- OctDry, clear, best walking
- NovMild; colour in the canopy
- DecCool and quiet; short days
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pileated woodpeckers and songbirdsAll year · Common even along the boardwalk near the visitor center. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Spring migrants and warblersMar–May · The park is a designated Globally Important Bird Area. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Wild turkey and white-tailed deerOct–Apr · Farther out on the trails, usually early or late. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| MosquitoesMay–Sep · Worst near standing water; repellent is essential. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Venomous snakes (cottonmouth, copperhead, rattler)Apr–Oct · Watch where you put hands and feet around logs, holes and warm rocks. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Columbia, SC
Drive up Bluff Road (SC-48) and follow park signs to the visitor center; the COMET Route 47 bus also serves the park (check current timetable).
30 min
From Charlotte, NC
I-77 south to Columbia, then Bluff Road.
2–2.5 h
From Charleston, SC
I-26 west to Columbia, then Bluff Road.
2–2.5 h
From Atlanta, GA
I-20 east to Columbia, then Bluff Road.
3.5–4 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor center and boardwalk | Harry Hampton Visitor Center, the raised 2.6 mi Boardwalk Loop and the Bluff Trail. | Open daily except federal holidays; no ticket needed. |
| Weston Lake and Oakridge area | The main dirt trail loops south of the boardwalk, past Weston Lake and the Cedar Creek oxbow. | Open on foot; floods after heavy rain. |
| Cedar Creek corridor | The canoe route and its banks, with marked cuts to the Congaree River. | Open; paddle only, and only at workable water levels. |
| Backcountry | The rest of the floodplain, reached by long, flat, often muddy trails. | Open with a free backcountry permit for camping. |
Sketch map
- 1Harry Hampton Visitor Center · Headquarters≈33.830, -80.823Map ↗
- 2Boardwalk Loop · Trail≈33.828, -80.818Map ↗
- 3Weston Lake · Viewpoint≈33.820, -80.823Map ↗
- 4Cedar Creek canoe access · Ranger station≈33.830, -80.815Map ↗
- 5Longleaf Campground · Sleep≈33.825, -80.830Map ↗
- 6Columbia, SC · Town≈34.001, -81.035Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions around the visitor center and boardwalk, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entrance | Free | person | No entrance fee and no gate; parking is free. Congaree does not charge the standard per-vehicle park entry (check). |
| Longleaf Campground tent site | US$10 | site | 2026 estimate; book on Recreation.gov. Senior and Access pass holders pay half (check). |
| Bluff Campground tent site | US$5 | site | 2026 estimate; walk-in sites, book on Recreation.gov (check). |
| Backcountry camping permit | Free | permit | Free, but required; self-register at the trailhead or pick one up at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. |
| Ranger-guided canoe tour | Free | person | Free with reservation; offered spring and fall (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Campground reservation permit or guide
Ranger canoe tour permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$10
- US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NPS — Congaree camping fees and reservations before you go.
Park rules
- No entrance fee
- There is no gate and no ticket; you pay only for camping or a reservation-based tour.
- Camping
- Only at Longleaf and Bluff campgrounds with a Recreation.gov reservation, or in the backcountry with a free permit.
- Fishing
- Rules vary by area and signage; ask at the visitor center before carrying a rod into the backcountry (check).
- Wild pigs and alligators
- Do not approach; keep distance from water edges and give sows with young a wide berth.
- Leave no trace
- Pack out all rubbish; fires only in provided rings where allowed.
Where to stay
In the park
Longleaf and Bluff campgrounds
Drive-in and walk-in tent sites inside the park; Longleaf is closest to the entrance and busiest at weekends.
In the park
Backcountry sites
Free permit camping in the floodplain; quiet, flat and often muddy.
Near the park
Columbia, SC
Hotels and hostels of every level, about 30 minutes away; the usual base for a Congaree day trip.
Safety
Flooding medium
Heat and humidity medium
Mosquitoes and ticks medium
Snakes and alligators low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The visitor center, restrooms and the Boardwalk Loop are wheelchair accessible.
- The dirt trails beyond the boardwalk are flat but often muddy and not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers after rain.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the boardwalk and marked trails; the floodplain soils and cypress roots are easily damaged.
- Do not collect plants, cypress knees or wood, and pack out everything you bring in.
- Paddle Cedar Creek at workable levels and avoid dragging boats over banks and roots.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Congaree National Park?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee and parking is free. You pay only if you camp — about US$10 a night at Longleaf and US$5 at Bluff (2026 estimate, booked on Recreation.gov) — or if you join a tour that charges.
What are the best hikes in Congaree National Park?
The 2.6 mi Boardwalk Loop is the essential walk and the only reliable one when the floodplain is flooded. Add the Weston Lake Loop (about 4.4 mi) for dirt trails and the oxbow, or the Oakridge Loop (about 7.5 mi) for the longest marked day walk. All are flat; mud and water are the real difficulty.
When is the best time to visit Congaree National Park?
March to May and October to November: mild temperatures, drier trails and active birdlife. Summer is hot, humid and mosquito-heavy with afternoon storms, and winter is quiet but bare and often wet.
Do I need a reservation to visit Congaree?
No for day visits — just drive in and park. You do need a Recreation.gov reservation for Longleaf or Bluff campgrounds, a free permit for backcountry camping, and a reservation for ranger-guided canoe tours.
Can you canoe at Congaree?
Yes, on Cedar Creek, either with your own boat or on a free ranger-guided tour in spring and fall. Markers are sparse and blowdowns can block the lower creek, so check conditions at the visitor center first.
How far is Congaree from Columbia, SC?
About a 30-minute drive from downtown Columbia up Bluff Road (SC-48), following park signs. The COMET Route 47 bus also serves the park — check the current timetable.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go