National park · South Carolina

Congaree National Park

The largest remaining old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States, protected from logging through decades of grassroots advocacy in South Carolina.

Entrance
No fee listed by NPS
Hours
Open 24 hours daily Congaree Operating Hours (Not Visitor Center Hours)
Established
November 10, 2003
Region
The Southeast
Congaree National Park
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
The Congaree National Park patch

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History

Congaree National Park preserves the largest remaining tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts in protecting unique ecosystems. Its establishment followed decades of advocacy against logging and resource extraction, showcasing grassroots activism's impact on environmental preservation.

Key events

  1. The park's history of resource extraction began in 1898 with cypress logging by the Santee River Cypress Logging Company.
  2. In 1976, it was designated as Congaree Swamp National Monument, which was later redesignated as a national park in 2003.
  3. The park ranks as the 10th-least visited national park in the U.S., with 145,929 visitors in 2018.

Trails

  • Boardwalk Loop Trail 2.4 mi · Easy
  • Weston Lake Loop 4.4 mi · Moderate
  • Kingsnake Trail 11 mi · Moderate
  • River Trail 10 mi · Moderate
  • Bates Ferry Trail 1.1 mi · Easy

Plan your visit

Hours · Congaree Operating Hours (Not Visitor Center Hours)

Open 24 hours, every day

Congaree National Park is generally open 24 hours a day year-round. For visitor and staff safety, park operations and/or weather conditions may occasionally result in short term, temporary closures. Please review the park webpage and social media platforms for more information. The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is open 9-5, daily. It is closed New Year's Day, President's Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Please check alerts prior to your visit.

Entrance fees

NPS lists no entrance fee for this park.

Fees and hours as of May 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Fall. Cool temps, low humidity, fall foliage, minimal flooding
  • Winter. Excellent wildlife viewing, no crowds, comfortable hiking
  • Spring. Synchronous firefly display mid-May to mid-June, bird migration
  • Summer. Most wildlife activity, but hot, humid with mosquitoes

Wildlife

River ottersBobcatsWhite-tailed deerBarred owlsPileated woodpeckersBald eaglesWild turkeysBox turtles

Nearby patches

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