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 one of the remaining stretches of hardwood bottomlands in the South.

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.

Two children walking on a wooden boardwalk through a forest, surrounded by trees and foliage.

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

Plan Your Visit

Must do hike.

See the complex ecosystems of Congaree up close on the Boardwalk Loop Trail.

There’s access from the visitors center and parking lot, and the 2.3 mile trail is easy enough for just about any visitor to complete it.

Along the way, you’ll see cypress trees, former champion loblolly pines, an oxbow lake, and some of Congaree’s wild residents.

Boardwalk Loop Trail at Congaree National Park: A Hiking Guide

Complete Itineraries

Two children, a boy and a girl, standing in front of a large tree with thick bark in a forest. The boy wears a red shirt and black shorts, and the girl wears a gray dress with orange and gray sleeves. Both are smiling.

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.

2 Days at Congaree National Park itinerary

Night lights.

Each year in the late spring, Congaree National Park hosts a series of special nightly events. Thousands of visitors flood into the park to see the incredible firefly display.

Learn about the lottery for tickets, what to expect on the night of your event, and much more below.

A Guide to the Synchronous Firefly Display at Congaree National Park

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.

A woman and a young boy outdoors at a trailhead sign in a wooded area. The sign indicates directions to the Visitor Center, Longleaf Trail, and Bluff Trail.
A woman in a red vest and black pants is outdoors in a wooded area, smiling with her foot resting on a portable stove on a picnic table. A young boy in dark clothing stands nearby, holding a spoon, with trees and fallen leaves in the background.

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 DiscoverCars.com with convenient pick-up options at all area airports.

    If plans change, they also offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before you were scheduled to get your car.

  • 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