Explore Congaree National Park.

Looking for the best resources to help plan your Congaree National Park visit?

Then you’ve come to the right place!

Hi, I’m Natalie, and I am a national parks-obsessed mom who has compiled all of the details, itineraries, dining guides, and hiking information for the perfect trip to the world’s first national park.

Whether you need to know the camping options in the park or which trail is best for your kids, you’ll find it here.

I only write about places I’ve been and experiences that I’ve had, so you’re getting up-to-date advice from a parent who has been there.

Congaree at a glance

  • Covers 26,000 acres

  • Located near Columbia, South Carolina

  • Best known for its boardwalks and abundant wildlife

  • Home to the last remaining stand of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest

  • One of the least visited national parks

  • Visitors come for the spring display of synchronous fireflies

Complete Itineraries

All you’ll need to do is book the plane tickets and hotel rooms. These complete itineraries take care of the day to day planning for you with suggestions for the entire family.

Since Congaree is a smaller national park, it is easy to do as an add-on to your East Coast road trip or vacation to Charleston or Columbia.

Where to Stay

While Congaree National Park does not have any on-site lodging, you can stay in Columbia, South Carolina (25 minutes to the north) if you need a hotel or RV campground.

The national park does have 2 hike-in campgrounds, Longleaf and Bluff.

Longleaf’s sites are very close to the parking area, while Bluff’s sites require a mile hike from the parking area.

Congaree Must Haves

  • Bug Spray

    We love nature, but we don’t like to itch all night.

    Congaree National Park is in the middle of a cypress swamp, so if you’re visiting between March and October, you will need bug spray.

    The park is so well known for its resident bugs that you’ll even find a mosquito meter at the visitors center!

  • Hiking Shoes

    To truly experience Congaree, you’ll need to get out of your car and onto a trail. This area of South Carolina has mild winters and hot summers, so you can leave the thick wool socks at home.

    Instead, opt for a lightweight trail runner or hiking sandal, the latter of which will help you over the flooded spots in the trails.

    I highly recommend Keen Newport H2 hiking sandals.

  • AllTrails + National Park Pass

    The trails at Congaree are always changing as the park’s in a floodplain, so you’ll need to keep up to date on trail conditions before you arrive.

    I recommend getting the annual AllTrails+ subscription so you can research your hikes ahead of time and even save your progress offline (which is helpful since the internet at Congaree isn’t the best).

  • Garmin InReach Mini

    I never go hiking without this tiny GPS attached to my pack.

    Since I’m often hiking alone with my kids, the Garmin InReach gives me peace of mind that we could get help quickly if one of them (or me!) got hurt or sick on the trail.

    Conagree doesn’t always have great cell reception, but you can always reach help with this unit.

  • Rental Car

    There’s no public transportation within Congaree, and you’re going to want the flexibility of your own vehicle getting to and exploring in the park.

    Check for the best rates at RentalCars.com with convenient pick-up options at all area airports.

  • Travel Insurance

    Whether your trip to Congaree fell within a hurricane evacuation or you had a last minute stomach bug, it’s important to be prepared for anything.

    Be sure to secure travel insurance from Visitors Coverage before you leave, and you’ll be ready for whatever life throws at you.

Other Helpful Resources