Congaree National Park feels wonderfully different from South Carolina’s beaches and historic cities. Near Columbia, the park protects an exceptional floodplain forest filled with towering trees, waterways and wildlife.
Start on the boardwalk
The boardwalk is an accessible introduction to the forest and helps visitors understand an environment that can otherwise appear simply wet and wooded at first glance.
Walk deeper
Longer trails offer more solitude, but conditions can be muddy or flooded depending on recent weather and river levels.
Explore by water
Paddling can reveal a completely different side of Congaree. Conditions, routes and water levels matter, so check current park information before planning a trip.
Bring insect protection
Warm, wet environments support mosquitoes extremely well. Preparation can make the difference between appreciating the ecosystem and spending the entire visit swatting at it.
Check National Park Service information for current trail, flood and weather conditions.
Congaree is not about dramatic mountain peaks. Its appeal is quieter: enormous trees, filtered light, water and the feeling of entering an ecosystem that operates according to rhythms very different from the nearby city.