Congaree National Park
Updated
Overview
Congaree protects the largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the Southeast: a flooded woodland filled with state and national champion trees reaching 170 feet tall. The 2.4-mile elevated boardwalk makes this swampy ecosystem accessible year-round, while 25+ miles of backcountry trails disappear into primordial forest where you'll see more barred owls than people. The trade-off: summer means oppressive heat, mosquitoes thick enough to form clouds, and venomous snakes actively hunting the floodplain. Visit October through April.
When to Go
The sweet spot is October — good weather meets manageable crowds. Peak season hits in March.
The best month. Comfortable weather, low humidity, and reopened trails make the Champion Trees accessible again.
Monthly crowd levels — click a month for details
Seasonal Closures
Boardwalk and trails: May be flooded during heavy rain and spring flooding periods
How Busy Is It?
How Congaree compares to all 62 national parks
Busier than 65% of national parks
Above AverageMore crowded trails than 48% of parks
ModerateHigher campsite pressure than 68% of parks
Above AverageAnnual visitors per trail mile
Annual visitors per campsite
Notable Trails
Congaree has more trail mileage than 6% of national parks, with 25 miles across 12 maintained trails.
The difficulty split leans moderate to strenuous; only 25% of trails are rated easy.
Camping
2 campgrounds with 20 total sites. All sites require reservations.
Top Activities
Congaree excels at 9 of 17 activity types — here are the standouts rated 7/10 or higher.
Kayaking Canoeing
9/10Excellent kayaking on Congaree River with scenic flooded forest during high water
Bird Watching
9/10Over 200 bird species including woodpeckers, warblers, owls, and herons
Photography
9/10Outstanding landscape, forest, and wildlife photography opportunities
Hiking
8/1025 miles of trails through exceptional old-growth forest; mostly flat terrain
Fishing
8/10Fishing in Congaree River for bass, catfish, and panfish
Wildlife Viewing
8/10Exceptional wildlife viewing: deer, turkeys, alligators, river otters, and diverse birds
Stargazing
8/10Excellent dark sky quality in remote park areas away from Columbia
Backpacking
7/10Backcountry camping available with permit
Ranger Programs
7/10Guided hikes, ranger talks, and Junior Ranger programs available
Who It's For
Planning Your Trip
Getting There
Nearest city: Columbia, SC (20 mi). Fly into CAE.
In-Park Services
No gas in park · No lodging in park · Cell: limited
Gateway Town
Hopkins, SC, full amenities
Featured In ?Rankings based on data-driven scoring across all 62 national parks.
Stories
Gateway Cities
Road Trips
Congaree is a stop on this road trip:
Compare Congaree
See how Congaree stacks up against other national parks — crowds, trails, and more.
Compare CongareeFrequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Congaree National Park?
The best month to visit Congaree is October, based on a balance of weather, crowds, and accessibility. Peak visitation is in March. The park has 4 comfortable months for visiting.
How crowded is Congaree National Park?
Congaree is crowded, with a congestion index of 6/10. The park receives 242K visitors annually across 41.5 square miles.
How many trails does Congaree National Park have?
Congaree has 25 miles of trails across 3 easy, 6 moderate, and 3 strenuous routes. Popular trails include Boardwalk Loop Trail, Kingsnake Trail, Weston Lake Loop.
Can you camp at Congaree National Park?
Yes, Congaree has 2 campgrounds with 20 total sites. Some sites are available first-come, first-served.
Is Congaree National Park open year-round?
Yes, Congaree is open year-round, though some roads and facilities may close seasonally. The park's climate is classified as subtropical_bottomland_forest.