While Congaree National Park is very different from many of the other National Parks I've visited throughout the United States, rest assured that if it's a National Park, it's getting five stars from me. Having now visited more than 60 designated National Parks, I can confidently say that each one offers something unique - and Congaree remains one of the system's underrated gems. My first visit was a solo trip in September 2021. The entire purpose of that South Carolina adventure was to cross another National Park off my list, so I flew into Charleston and made the drive up to Congaree. Like many National Park enthusiasts, I was thrilled to spot the entrance sign and officially arrive. I spent my first day exploring the visitor center, collecting a park stamp, patch, magnet, and Junior Ranger book before heading out onto the boardwalk trail. Even with some exhibits closed due to COVID-era protocols, the famous Mosquito Meter was alive and well. The 2.4-mile boardwalk offered an excellent introduction to the park's towering trees, floodplain forest, and unique ecosystem. Even in mid-September, the mosquitoes were plentiful - but thankfully they mostly left me alone as long as I kept moving. That evening, I camped in the park and enjoyed a peaceful night of sleep. The following morning, I joined a Forest Wellness program hosted by the National Park Service and Friends of Congaree. For over two hours, we hiked through the forest while participating in creative journaling exercises and mindfulness activities. It was a very memorable ranger led program!!! I returned again in May 2026, this time with two friends. We explored the visitor center, watched the park film, completed our Junior Ranger books (you're never too old), and spent time walking the boardwalk once again. We also paddled nearby Cedar Creek, which provided a completely different perspective on the Congaree ecosystem. Unfortunately, while we had planned to return that evening to see the famous synchronous fireflies, the weather had other ideas. Rain moved in and changed our plans. That's okay, resting in a hotel was good too. Like all of our National Park units, Congaree protects something special. While it may not have the dramatic cliffs of Yosemite or the iconic vistas of the Grand Canyon, it preserves one of the largest intact expanses of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the United States. The massive trees, winding waterways, cypress knees, wildlife, and quiet solitude create an experience unlike any other national park in the system. Sure, this is not a park that requires several days (or even a full day) to explore, but it is worth your time. Whether you're hiking the boardwalk, paddling Cedar Creek, camping, attending a ranger program, or simply marveling at the giant trees, Congaree offers a unique experience. Come with the right expectations, bring your own supplies (services are limited) and take the time to appreciate what this park protects. America's Best Idea isn't always about the grand scenery. Sometimes it's about preserving places that would otherwise be forgotten. Congaree is one of those places and I'm grateful it exists! Plus, Charleston and all of its city glory is nearby and awaits your visit pre- or post-Congaree! read more

See all

Congaree National Park preserves the largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States, which is what makes it a National Park. It is a primeval floodplain ecosystem, which is what makes it so beautiful! There are 11 trails at Congaree National Park, all featuring beautiful scenery and the value within nature. Beware of the mosquitoes! Because of this floodplain (body of water), this is a prime home for mosquitoes. They are known for their "Skeeter Meter," which is helpful in gauging the presence of mosquitoes. If you want to avoid the mosquitos, try to come during the Fall & Winter seasons, or during a drought. This park is 100% dog & RV friendly, and is a great place to take your kids!! Have fun, and take in the scenery! read more

What a beautiful National Park. To begin with entrance to the park is free. Drove in and headed to the visitor center. Bought a few souvenirs. We also watched a wonderful movie explaining the history of the park. From the visitor center we headed out on the wooden board walk that leads to the water about a mile and a half. Had a picnic lunch on the bench. Due to construction we ended up taking a dirt road back. Such a beautiful walk amongst the trees. If you have a dog this park is for you. We saw many people hiking with there dogs. read more

See all

Nice park. Love the boardwalk. (Partially under construction). Visitors center is informative. Love, love, love that you can bring your dog. Leashed of course, but allowed on all the trails. read more

Congaree National Park - Mosquito meter - Parks Near Me - Hopkins, South Carolina

I won the Synchronus Firefly Lotto at Congaree National Park this year! We made a whirlwind trip down to South Carolina from Virginia and got there about 2 hours before the event. We were able to do a 2+ mile hike on the Boardwalk to Sims trails and saw a good portion of the marshy/wetlands park from land. The firefly portion of the evening was an amazing thing to witness! No phones or cameras allowed, as the light disturbs the fireflies. read more

See all

This is a lovely little national park. We came at the beginning of May and it was perfect. Due to it being more of a swampy area they have a mosquito meter. We came on a day it was a 2 so very low and didn't need bug spray but if you come on an unfortunate day where it's higher I'd recommend bug spray. We did half of the board way trail has they were doing construction on the other and we did Sims trail which takes you to a small lake. I loved this park because of how quiet it is. They don't have a lot of visitors compared to other parks so it makes it super peaceful. The nature was beautiful and we saw lots of critters. The hiking is super easy as it is all flat so very accessible especially if you stay on the boardwalk trail. read more

See all

This is a wonderful national park to explore the beauty of the southeast. My husband and I were passing through South Carolina and split up our trip by stopping by. It's free entry and overall quiet. We walked around the boardwalk loop and enjoyed the serenity of the swamp. It could definitely use some maintenance to the boardwalk but overall it was nice! read more

See all

When it comes to National Parks, I feel you hear the same five or six mentioned by most people, and do you not hear about some of the other great parks of this nation has to offer. Enter Congaree National Park, one I had never heard of but notice that it was on our route when we were driving up from Florida to Washington DC. I wasn't sure what to expect as I had very little to go off of. But we were pleasantly surprised in this quaint woodland area, with many trails and camping. They even had a Bark Ranger program for our dog, which is offered at quite a lot of the parks now, with more being added every year. All the rangers and staff we spoke to at this park what incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, and ready help just make the most of our short trip to Congaree. Be careful if you are off the beaten path because there are plenty of spiders in the trees, all of which are very beautiful but certainly keep your eyes out. It was hard to do justice with the photos at how scenic and beautiful this park was. Although I wouldn't put it ahead of other parks that are in my top five, I would definitely make the effort to come here again when we have more time. read more

Congaree National Park - Parks Near Me - Hopkins, South Carolina

See all

Historic, unique, escape to nature. South Carolina has such a rich history behind many of the regions and this National Park did not cease to impress. Taking a step from the hustle and bustle of daily life and escaping to lack of cell service, peace and calm is what the soul needed. If you're like me and wonder how/why SC has a national park well the answer is, you need to visit! Having an average deciduous tree height of over 130 feet to one of the largest old growth floodplain forest in the world, are some of the many unique traits Congaree has. They are currently under reconstruction to improve the boardwalk trail which is known for its one of a kind flood walk experience during the spring/early summer months. Additionally many unique trails to adventure off too further. REMEMBER TO SPRAY YOUR BUG SPRAY IN THE PARKING LOT BEFORE ENTERING TO HELP PRESERVE THE LOCAL SPECIES! read more

See all

As a mosquito magnet, this was roughhhh for me. But they really do do a great job at maintaining this place. They readily update you on the conditions of the park, mosquito and water, as it's a floodplain. The boardwalk is easily accessible and the is a berth of trails. I wouldn't come back again. But it's because of the inhabitants, not the grounds itself. read more

See all

Our last national park on the east coast! We didn't have too much time to spend here, only a few hours, but we made it to the Visitor Center and the Boardwalk Loop Trail. Loved the Boardwalk Loop Trail. It really felt like you were walking on another planet or into the apocalypse. The trail was empty, so it was just us and nature. Relaxing. Part of the boardwalk is currently closed for repairs, so we didn't get to see too much of the area that had a bit more life. Definitely grab the self-guided trail brochure to learn all about the surrounding nature as you walk. While we only saw this area, it was kind of giving me Everglades vibes (minus the gators). Nice little visitor center. Had clean bathrooms as well. Wish we'd had a bit more time to spend here, but overall it was an enjoyable park. read more

See all

This park is great. The walking trails are wonderful. I brought my dog and we spent the afternoon exploring the park. It doesn't take long to see the whole place. I was there in winter, but it's a completely different experience to see it all in the summer wet season when the water is flowing. The trees were amazing. The wooden walkways are well maintained. The camping areas looked nice, though we didn't camp. The visitor's center was nice, with a short movie and nice gift shop. The T-shirts were cool, but at close to 35.00, it's a bit much. We were fortunate to catch the ranger walk and talk. Outstanding! Our ranger had a great knowledge of the park and fielded countless questions. It's really nice to see the dedication and love for the land from a park ranger. I would love to return someday. read more

A great stop between Charlotte and Augusta! Highly recommend doing the boardwalk trail and getting the brochure that tells you about what to look for at each of the numbered spots. We saw all sorts of birds, lizards, bugs, turtles, etc. as well as all the interesting trees and other plants. Very accessible especially if you only have a few hours to spend. A lesser known park but highly recommend! read more

OK. National Parks are amazing overall. They are some of the coolest places I have ever been. Judging Congaree by the standards of the rest of the National Parks leads to a not great rating. It would be a fine place to stop by or a maybe a fine state park, and I hear the fireflies in May are really cool, but as a National Park it really doesn't compare to so many breathtaking ones. I was told that Congaree was more made to preserve the hard wood trees in the kind of marsh area which is totally great, but I feel like the area can be preserved in a way that doesn't make it a "National Park". So overall it is a fine place but it is not the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or Yellowstone. Not that many places are but for me that is what I think of when I hear National Park and this isn't that. read more

Congaree National Park - We did see an alligator, so that was cool. It is in the picture...kind of hard to see in the picture. - Parks Near Me - Hopkins, South Carolina

This was a surprise. We took the path around the park. It was a cool day in October, so we didn't have any bugs. read more

See all

I don't know if I can in good conscious give a national park anything less than 5 stars but I will be honest and say Congaree perhaps wasn't the right fit for us. At least at the time of year we went. I mean, don't get me wrong. It's beautiful. And has a unique ecosystem of swamps and marshes which you don't see in many parts of the country but it does make it more challenging to visit. First off, unlike other parks, there are no scenic drives here. Any exploring you do is on foot and while they have a really lovely maintained boardwalk for the flagship trail it is absolutely MISERABLE in peak summer, which is of course when we went. The humidity, the heat, the mosquitos...oof. I had read these very warnings when I was researching the park but when we first got there I didn't think it felt that bad so we decided to push on. But it can get suffocating very fast once you're in the wetlands. We also had our dogs and they made it about a half mile on the trail before I started to get very worried about them overheating. We ended up turning around and carrying them back to the car and our older pup Oliver too a while to bounce back. I was terrified he had heat stroke but he eventually cooled off and was back to normal. We were driving nearby during a road trip and while I'm glad to have stopped and done some reconnaissance for a more substantial trip in the future I must admit I am in zero hurry to go again in the summer. I think a nice winter trip to Congaree sounds pretty great tho. And next time we leave the dogs at home. read more

See all

This was a nice drive off the main road and a hike with many interesting museum facts about the lowlands. Our children enjoyed the hike and we all enjoyed the ease with which interesting facts about this area were transferred via easy/family friendly hikes (more challenging available) and topography, geography, geology and every other "nature" ograohy you would hope to learn about at this park! We recommend! The fireflies are cool and those (synchronous) are available to watch at the park via a lottery system - good luck! Come learn about Tupelo trees and the knees - among so many other cool things!! read more

See all

Congaree is another planet! I had never seen a black water swamp before, or bald cypress, or Tupelo trees, or a red-femured spotted orbweaver... Congaree is really incredible, it just might not match what most people picture as a "National park". I stayed for two nights in the Longleqf campground, did a kayak tour of the creek, and hiked over 12 miles. There's a lot to see and do if you come at a good time. I was lucky that it hadn't rained in a while and most of the trails were open, although I would love to come when the boardwalk is flooded! There's also a lot of wildlife to see, including the feral pigs! The Longleaf campground is very nice, but be prepared. There is no electricity or water, all spots are hike-in (and some are a bit away from the parking lot), and there are only two pit toilets. Each site does have a table and fire pit, and they are spread apart enough to feel quiet. I had a really wonderful time here, even in two days of rain. I think as long as you adjust your expectations and try to get beyond the boardwalk you'll have a great time! read more

See all

We drove and stayed in Charlotte, NC, so that we could do a day trip here. I knew before coming that Congaree is not the most extravagant or picturesque park, but since I have a goal of visiting every U.S. national park I wanted to be able to give it a chance. I do like how easy it is to access this park. From Charlotte, it was pretty much a straight shot down the highway and is right outside of Columbia. The roads leading into the park are easy and have plenty of signage. There is only one visitors center and a majority of the trails stem from there. Easy peasy! Congaree made for a great day visit, and the Boardwalk Trail (2.8 miles) was a good length for an easy stroll. This is the most popular trail, with an actual boardwalk that guides you through the forest (this was REALLY nice with it being muddy from the rain!) I have only visited a handful of other national parks in the country, most on the East coast. Congaree was very 'OK' for me. I did enjoy the unique, marsh-y wilderness that we got to explore. Besides that, there really didn't feel like there was much else that was exciting to see. It didn't seem a whole lot different than the average hike I would do back at home. Maybe one day I'll come back and try to spend more time here, but my initial experience was alright. read more

See all

My husband and I have been checking off National Parks wherever we can. This time, we were in Savannah, about a 2 hour drive from this National Park. We decided to make the quick trek to make it to this park, besides, who knew when we were going to back in this area again! This is a free National Park, so you don't actually need the America the Beautiful pass here. Our tax dollars help fund this park :) We didn't do too much here as we were limited in time, but what we did do was make sure to go through that boardwalk 2.6 mile trek. It was fairly easy and the boardwalk made it so that it was a breeze! We were here in September, and there were TONS of Golden Orbs, which are large spiders. Be sure to keep an eye out for them as they can be a little camouflaged. We didn't run into any snakes (thank goodness), but from the images that I've seen on Yelp, it doesn't look uncommon to run into them! read more

See all

Anyone who gives this place less than 5 starts you should just go home...like what are you expecting from a National part that does not have any entrance fees. We went in early May, a good portion of the boardwalk loop was underwater and it went up to a good 2ish feet deep at some point, but we walked through and it was a delightful adventure, get a stick and guile yourself by the edges, be aware of loose boards that are floating. Highly recommend for everyone!!! Plus size friendly! read more

See all

This park was on the way from Columbia to Myrtle beach so stopped here for a couple of hours to get some hiking in. It's a small park and no entrance pass required. To get to any of the trails you start from the visitor center and boardwalk, which is the most interesting going over swamps and trees with cone shaped swollen base trunks I've never seen anywhere else, also the "knees" sticking up from the muddy grounds. Very tall and skinny cypress trees. Lots of robins and some squirrels. They have a mosquito meter indicating the severity of the situation ranging from "all clear" to "war zone", thankfully in March there are none. The trails off the boardwalk are not difficult or scenic, pretty flat with not too interesting views at least for the couple of miles we did. But the boardwalk - half under construction right now is worth going on and they have a flyer explaining what you see along the way which makes it more fun. read more

I visited this park after it had rained and the water level had risen 8 feet. Many of their trails were closed due to flooding. The only trail open to us was the 2.4mi boardwalk trail. The whole trail is on a raised boardwalk and there are 20 markers along the way, and you can pick up a leaflet that gives info about each location. The trail was well constructed, very easy to walk. The fun part, for me, was the half mile of the boardwalk trail that was underwater. The deepest part was up to our knees, but it was still easy walking. It was otherworldly to look at so much water covering the land as far into the forest as you could see. I am so appreciative that this park made the effort to build over 2 miles of boardwalk!! read more

Congaree National Park - Parks Near Me - Hopkins, South Carolina

See all

First time Visitor, not disappointed, great Park with a Boardwalk that covers a lot of the area (2 1/2 miles) of it. Easy access and easy walk with no major incline/decline, bring water & bug spray (apply in parking lot). Plenty of parking, picnic area, very nice visitor center with clean restrooms. Informative volunteers/staff at visitor center with maps & other information. Park Cancellation Stamp located inside and outside near entrance to boardwalk. Plenty of Wildlife visible (even at midday) to see, along with the trees and other plants Well worth the visit & cost (free) read more

See all

(To show how much Yelping means to me, our visit here was last August and I'm just getting around to thinking about this now.  Obviously I forgot way more than I remember.) We were doing a fairly long drive from Atlanta to Atlantic Beach, NC and I happened to notice that Congaree was more or less "along the way". Being a sucker for just about anything NPS related, it was time to stop and cross another one off the list. Why the name Congaree? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congaree_people What is the significance of the park? discoversouthcarolina.com/products/1482 What can you see or do once you get there? www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/upload/CONG-Trail-Guide-2.pdf Now a few other notes - some of which are still true and some were unique to our visit which was last August. Every NPS site visit always starts with a visit to their visitors center. Congaree's at the time and I believe even now is still partially closed. Sure you can go in and buy a few snacks and some drinks along with a shirt or fridge magnet but all of the displays are closed off. Speaking of snacks and drinks, if you're going to be here for an extended period of time make sure you bring what you need. The visitors center has a few things but it's not much and the nearby surrounding area is fairly devoid of anything. We, like most who visit here I assume, stuck with doing the two and a half mile Boardwalk Trail. Overall it is flat and easy but we also were doing it on a stiflingly hot & humid August afternoon which had us soaked by the time we were done. Note that there are tons of trails and outdoor opportunities here. Two of the volunteers warned us that there are crap tons of snakes & spiders along the trails and there were two gators living in Weston Lake that got stranded the last time it flooded from the Congaree River. Are they still there now? Who knows but be careful for any neighbors if doing any kayaking. Also note that while the Boardwalk Trail is raised up off the ground, when it rains and the surrounding area floods, the water can submerge large parts of it which in turn will be closed and it makes most of the nearby ground trails swampy bog land. Everyone we encountered here from the rangers who were doing Q&A sessions outside of the visitors center to the volunteers to random people on the trails were all friendly and great. Fantastic experience that is unlike anything we've got in PA. Well worth the visit. read more

We thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Congaree National Park! We went in early March when the temperature was in the high 60's on an overcast day. We stopped at the Visitor Center before heading out to the trails. I loved the decor and exhibits in the VC! All the staff were really nice and happily answered any questions we had! They informed us that there was flooding due to heavy rain the previous night and early morning. We were able to walk to the boardwalk trail. The scenery was totally different from what I've grown accustomed to in our local national park and I was shocked by how beautiful it looked! Although this bottomland hardwood forest is home to bobcats, otters, armadillos, alligators, and more, we didn't encounter any wildlife during our journey. No complaints though! There were no mosquitoes during our visit, which we were very happy about. Haha I'm so happy we decided to stop by and explore! read more

See all

This understated National Park is a gem in the middle of suburban nowhere! The park is a huge flood plain full of massive trees and boardwalk trails. You can even take a kayak or canoe paddle trail. The park is best in the rain even though hiking may be difficult. You won't see much wildlife but you'll get to experience the park almost all to yourself. That's a magical experience you'll never forget. read more

See all

Signage at this national park proudly proclaims that if you can't get there in person (for some COVID-related or other reason), there's plenty of pictures on Instagram. While I suspect there are some excellent pics floating around the internet, I would definitely recommend making the trip in person. It is a swamp. Caveats apply, and one should be prepared for biting insects, pollen, mud, and a variety of other hazards. People who wish to limit their exposure can still get some great views through a boardwalk that runs a couple of miles, though depending on the water level, part of it may be submerged. A variety of dirt trails range through the outer swamp; I made it to the creek but not the larger river. Notably, a ranger stated that while the visitor center has business hours, the park is open 24/7, and a "firefly trail" offers something to do after dark (though the risks of falls and alligators are likely much greater at night; know what you're getting into). The aesthetics of the rich wilderness are quite majestic, and while conditions can be unpleasant the tree cover can mitigate extreme heat in summer, and South Carolina often has very pleasant winter weather. I heard more wildlife than I saw, though some interesting birds did appear. In comparison to some parks I've visited in similar environments in North Carolina, this national park was more developed with useful visitor infrastructure, while still remaining wild. read more

See all

A hidden gem!!! All of this was on a board walk that's wheelchair accessible. There are other true hiking trails as well for the more adventurous. Going in the late afternoon was nice and breezy. There was such a beautiful afternoon glow with the sun filtering thru the trees and clearing. Going in late April didn't require bug spray, but from looking at the comments, be prepared. The mosquito meter is right outside where the restrooms are, but I'd check with the personnel for a more accurate assessment. The hubs and I saw sooo many animals... From caterpillars, butterflies, a snake, small lizard, lady bug, giant millipede worm, to a woodpecker. And aside from the fresh air and interesting critters of the area. [Look at the yellow caterpillar in one of my pictures. It's wonky looking.] The plant species in this area were interesting. We used the park's self guide pamphlet and definitely went away with some knowledge and appreciation of mother nature. The best part is the price tag: free. I would visit again if it's in the cards. Seriously go and unwind away from everyday stressors. We went on a Thursday afternoon in April so there weren't a lot of folks, but I'd imagine as the weather is warming up, it would get super busy. We saw a mixture of mask wearers and non-mask wearers. Be kind and wear a mask when near others so everyone can enjoy the atmosphere and not have to worry. read more

See all

Free admission with a wide variety of trails ranging in lengths and difficulty. The boardwalk trail off of the visitors center is a gorgeous and accessible loop. Beautiful sights with the opportunity to see plenty of wildlife including lizards, boars, spiders, squirrels, and more. Trails open 24 hours and the fireflies are gorgeous at night. read more

See all

We are a family of 5. We have 3 kids ages 9 4 and 2 and this was our first national park with them but not our first hikes. We stopped on our way home from tybee island so we were in the car awhile. We arrived at the visitor center and suggested the boardwalk trail. It was perfect! Even the littles could do It! It is completely flat and smooth. Even a stroller (not a huge huge double wide!) Could walk it easily. Make sure to do the junior ranger program if you have kids! Get a pamphlet that gives information at each of the 20 stops throughout. Especially with kids it is a WEALTH of information. This hike is 2.5 miles but mine did it without complaint! Perfect for younger families! read more

See all

A small National Park - with many trails - just outside of Columbia SC. We did the 2 mile "boardwalk" trail. Not very strenuous. More of a "nature" trail. Well kept - as they have recently replaced several sections with new wood. Follow/read the trail map. When you get out there.... just sit quietly and listen. Its amazing how quite it is. read more

See all

We have visited twice - once three years ago and today (11/19/20). This time, due to the pandemic, masks were required in common areas. Some folks on the boardwalk kept masks on. We did because it was warmer (55°). In the visitor center bookstore, only 8 people at a time were allowed inside. Exhibits from three years ago were missing. But outside, around the corner in a large room, a traveling Smithsonian exhibit on waterways was on display. It was informative and beautiful. The boardwalk is circular, with numbered sites corresponding to the trail map we got in the bookstore. However, it was flooded at the Sims Trail, so we had to walk back to the where it would have wound up if we went all the way around. We walked that path, turned around at the flooding, and then walked back to the visitor center. This park is known for its mosquitoes, so a mosquito warning board is between the men's and women's bathrooms. With the cold, the mosquitoes were not around. This park is beautiful! As you walk the boardwalk, you can hear the birds, but the trees are so lush that you can't see them clearly. Lots of benches are on the boardwalk when you want to rest or just look around. This park is a hidden gem! When we tried to visit last month on a Friday, it was packed - even with CoVid. But the cool weather today, and three years ago, meant fewer people were out and about on the trails. read more

See all

I love this National Park because it's unique and not crowded. It's also free! This is swamp land so expect to see beautiful cypress trees and their knees, enormous pine trees, beech trees and more, plus unique birds. We time our visits to the late fall, winter, and early spring - basically when the bugs are sleeping! The boardwalk gives an amazing tour of the swamp and is great for ease of touring. We love getting off onto the dirt trails here and they are well marked and maintained. Today we did the 4.4 Weston Lake Loop Trail - my favorite! I want to go kayaking here someday - that's another fabulous way to see the park! The park rangers are especially enthusiastic and helpful here - we learn something new each visit. Plenty of picnic tables so we packed a lunch for our day trip. We live in Charleston and highly recommend checking out this beautiful park! read more

See all

People from across the world visit the Congaree National Park. Everyone that visits experience something vastly different from wildlife to insects. Definitely worth the trip. read more

See all

Congaree National Park is the ONLY National Park in South Carolina (there are many national historic sites), so designated in 2003 after a 40+ year effort by local legislators and community activists. The park includes a 26,276-acre footprint and preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the US. Hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing and more are easily accessible. Wildlife galore (birds, alligators, fish.. and snakes). It's an easy drive from Columbia and a simple day trip from Charlotte, Charleston, etc. Many activities for kids outdoors and in the visitors center. Also many accessible wooden boardwalks suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, etc. read more

See all

I'm happy to write this review for my first National Parks' trip of the 2019 season. Just last weekend, I visited this...Congaree National Park located in the center of the state of South Carolina. It's right near Hopkins, SC but as you drive towards the park....you're basically heading through small town roads (off the beaten trail) to arrive here. Actually, Columbia SC (home to the University of South Carolina, Gamecocks) is the nearest major city about 18 miles from Congaree. I know many folks, experts and national park gurus would rate Congaree towards the bottom of their lists....but, the reason why I'm a fan of this place is because it's relatively contrasting to most other parks. It's classified as a "forest" National Park and that couldn't be any more true. So...if you're a tourist or vacationer visiting....please temper your expectations to seeing lots of trees, lush evergreens and shrubs. If you do that....you'll have a pleasant experience. Another major factor that I liked about Congaree was the simple silence that the park exudes. So...exploring the forest was a pleasant getaway from the hectic nature of the rest of my Carolina vacation. Walking around and surveying...(for being the month of early April) I felt like I had the place exclusively to myself. Along with the light from the sun shining down on the trees and conifers....I found the place to be photogenic and a welcome change in comparison to all the monumental and iconic parks located out west. Congaree was good enough and I take nothing but fond memories with me from coming here. I only needed a few hours to traverse and walk around. I visited last Saturday at 9am and left by 1:30pm. Simply put....the park is comprised of mainly hiking trails and not much more. I hiked 3 trails.... 1. Boardwalk Loop Trail - 2.4 miles round trip. It's located right outside the Visitors Center after you park. It's the most popular trail in Congaree and offers an "excellent introduction to the park as it gently leads you from the elevated bluff down to the floodplain forest below". There are benches along the boardwalk to sit down and enjoy the sights and scenery. It's a real simple trail and genuinely connects you with the forest. On this trail there are nice moments for pictures. 2. Bluff Trail - 1.7 miles round trip. You can find this trail connected right off the Boardwalk Loop. Here you can explore more of the in's and out's of the forest, without walking along the boardwalk. It's another straightforward hike and afforded me many good opportunities to immerse myself in nature. Without any distractions, my pictures along this trail came out wonderfully! 3. Sims Trail - 3.2 miles round trip. "A gravel road leads from the Bluff Trail and the Boardwalk to Cedar Creek near Lake Wise". This gravel road is a pleasant escape and a nice hike that offered me a distinct aspect to the nature of the forest. Strolling along the gravel road, the trees and leaves hug you from all different angles. It was so quiet on this hike that I felt like society was a world away! Lol. These 3 hikes provided me with plenty of opportunities to understand what Congaree National Park was all about. A couple of other points I'd like to mention..... I flew into Charlotte, NC and Congaree was a manageable 110 mile drive south. There's no entry fee into the park. The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is open daily 9am - 5pm. All hiking trails begin from the Harry Hampton VC and all trails are on flat ground with no elevation. There's no overnight lodging or food inside the park. Finally, you can do a Ranger guided canoe tour from Harry Hampton VC. The park provides canoes, life vests and paddles. It only costs a $1.50 reservation fee!!! Yes you read that right, lol. Tours are limited to 12 people. Tours go from April - November on select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 10am and periodically at 1pm. YOU MUST MAKE A RESERVATION on NPS.GOV - Congaree's National Park page and then RECREATION.GOV. Tours last 3 hours and 1.25 miles. Make reservations fast as they sell out! In regards to canoe tour schedules...each month's tours open for reservation on the FIRST of the PRIOR MONTH! For example, June tours open on May 1. Although a canoe tour wasn't available for when I visited last week, I was still satisfied enough exploring the park on my own accord. Thank you for taking the time to read this review. I do hope Congaree NP receives more recognition than a mere 40 reviews on Yelp. It's an easily accessible National Park situated in the southeast United States for any visitors and explorers out there. The whole forest setting provides a unique and real refreshing change of pace from what you'd expect to find in a typical NP. Although it's an elementary and uncomplicated park to discover, it was these characteristics that helped me to take a step back, exhale and recognize just how beautiful nature in the forest can be. read more

See all

Must visit when in the area. The swamp is so beautiful. This national park is a little less exciting than most, but nonetheless, it is totally worth the trip. We hiked the boardwalk trail, which is the most popular trail in the park and takes about 2 hours if you are going at a very slow pace. It's only 2.4 miles so you could really get through it much faster if you don't stop to admire all the beauty along the way. Watch out for those SC Mosquitoes if you go during the hot months. Entrance to the park is free and parking is free. Why wouldn't you go? read more

This was a fun unexpected stop on our journey home. I have to admit that I didn't know Congaree National Park existed. It was eleven miles off the main highway but a good opportunity to soak in the peacefulness of the swamps and stretch our legs on the raised boardwalks that cover several miles within the park. The boardwalk was well maintained but it appears during wet seasons that a fair share of the path goes underwater (as noted in my pictures). The visitor center is very simple with a few signs marking the trails and bathrooms. Based on the signage, this place can be a mosquito breeding sanctuary during the warmer months. We visited in December and the weather couldn't have been more ideal. The boardwalks make this an ideal stop for families with kiddos, wheelchair accessibility and pets on the road. I can only speak for December but parking was easy and this park is free to enter. It felt more like a state park than a national park. read more

See all

We were looking for a place to camp near Charlotte and ended up coming here for the weekend. It's conveniently located about an hour and a half from Charlotte which is pretty convenient (it's also right outside of Columbia). We camped at a group campsite at the Longleaf Campground. The campsites were huge and each had a fire pit. There were vault toilets at the front of the campground. The parking lot was right by the campground. The sites were close together and unfortunately we had loud neighbors, but I can't blame the campground for that. The weather was ok, but not great. It sprinkled on and off a couple of times on Saturday and was a little chilly, but we made the most of it. We're used to hiking in the blue ridge mountains, so this was something different. We did the Winston Lake Loop Trail which was around 5 miles. We really enjoyed it. It was quite scenic to see all of the trees in the marsh/swamp. The trail did get quite muddy at different parts, so definitely be prepared with waterproof boots if it has rained at all recently. The trails are all flat and easy. In the afternoon we went kayaking which was my favorite part of the park. They do free canoe tours some days, but other than that you need to bring your own kayaks or rent from somewhere in Columbia. We started at the South Cedar Creek Canoe access. The parking is close to where you put your boats in so that's nice. The river moves fairly fast, so starting upstream is probably a better idea. We paddled for a while in both directions. It was incredibly scenic along the river and cool to be that close to the trees in the water. I'm really glad we checked this place out. It's a great place to spend a day or a weekend! read more

See all