Checked October 1, 2026 against the National Park Service: trail information, fees, directions, camping, pets, conditions and the park's published operating hours.
Congaree is South Carolina's only national park and protects the tallest deciduous forest in the United States, a floodplain of old-growth bald cypress, tupelo, oak and loblolly pine just southeast of Columbia.
The essentials
- Address for GPS: 100 National Park Road, Hopkins, SC 29061. The NPS warns that typing "Congaree National Park" into some apps sends you to the wrong place.
- Entrance fee: none. Entry is free.
- Park hours: generally open 24 hours a day, year-round, apart from short closures for weather or park work.
- Harry Hampton Visitor Center: 9 am – 5 pm daily. It closes on New Year's Day, Presidents Day, Columbus Day (Oct 12, 2026), Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Phone: 803-776-4396. Free Wi-Fi in and just outside the visitor center.
Getting there from Columbia
Take I-77 to Exit 5 (Bluff Road / SC 48 East). Drive about 8 miles, bear right onto Old Bluff Road, follow it 4.5 miles to the park sign on the right, then 1 mile to the visitor center. Lots can fill early on busy days, and RVs have limited space in the third lot.
No car? The COMET's Route 47 stops outside the visitor center (catchthecometsc.gov). Uber and Lyft may not pick up from the park, so do not count on a ride back.
Pick a trail
All mileages are round trip unless noted, and are the NPS's own figures.
| Trail | Distance | Rating | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boardwalk Trail | 2.6 mi | Easy | First visit; wheelchair and stroller accessible, benches |
| Bluff Trail (#1) | 1.8 mi | Easy | Upland pines; links to the boardwalk |
| Sims Trail (#2) | 3.2 mi | Easy | Old gravel road, crosses the boardwalk twice |
| Weston Lake Trail (#3) | 4.5 mi | Moderate | Cedar Creek views, otters, wading birds, cypress knees |
| Oakridge Trail (#4) | 7.1 mi | Difficult | Big oaks, deer and wild turkey |
| Boggy Gut Trail (#5) | 11.1 mi | Difficult | Reaches the Congaree River |
| Kingsnake Trail (#6) | 12 mi | Difficult | Birding along Cedar Creek |
| Bates Ferry Trail (#7) | 2.2 mi | Easy | East side off US 601, a 1920s ferry road to the river |
| Longleaf Trail (#8) | 1.3 mi one way | Easy | Campground to visitor center |
| Fork Swamp Trail (#9) | 0.6 mi | Moderate | Oxbow lake made by an 1852 hurricane |
On October 1 the NPS listed every trail as open, with cautions that Oakridge, Boggy Gut, Kingsnake and Fork Swamp may be hard to follow in places (Boggy Gut also has many trees down after storms). Pick up the self-guided Boardwalk Tour brochure at the visitor center.
Our suggestion for a first day trip: walk the Boardwalk loop in the morning, add the Weston Lake Trail if you have energy, and eat lunch at the picnic tables near the visitor center.
Floods, bugs and heat
- About 80% of the park is floodplain, and the river floods roughly ten times a year. Only the elevated boardwalk, Bluff, Firefly and Longleaf trails stay out of the floods; check the park's Alerts page and the Cedar Creek gauge (flood stage about 8 ft) before you go.
- Mosquitoes from mid-spring to mid-fall: bring repellent. Check yourself and your dog for ticks afterwards.
- Summers are hot and humid; bring water for everyone, including pets.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome on all trails, including the boardwalk, and in the campgrounds, on a leash of 6 feet or less. Do not leave a pet unattended. The elevated boardwalk section is narrow with no quick way off, so take another route if your dog is nervous around people.
Camping
| Site | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Longleaf Campground | $15/night tent, $25 group site | 10 individual and 4 group sites, vault toilets, no running water, walk-in from a gravel lot |
| Bluff Campground | $10/night | 6 sites, about 1 mile hike in, no toilets or water |
| Backcountry | Free permit | Email cong_information@nps.gov at least 72 hours ahead |
Front-country sites must be reserved on Recreation.gov (or 1-877-444-6777); you cannot pay at the park. Tents and hammocks only, no RVs, and sleeping in vehicles is prohibited anywhere in the park. Senior and Access pass holders get 50% off. Campfires are allowed only in campground fire rings.
Make a day of it
- Pair the park with lunch back in town: see our best brunch guide.
- More nearby escapes: day trips from Columbia and free things to do.
The full list, by category: things to do in Columbia, SC.
Frequently asked questions
Is Congaree National Park free?
Yes. There is no entrance fee. Camping costs $10 to $25 a night in the two campgrounds, and backcountry permits are free.
How long is the Congaree boardwalk?
The Boardwalk Trail is 2.6 miles round trip from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, according to the National Park Service. It is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
What are the Congaree National Park visitor center hours?
The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is open 9 am to 5 pm daily, except New Year's Day, Presidents Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The park itself is generally open 24 hours.
Can you bring dogs to Congaree National Park?
Yes. Leashed dogs (6-foot leash maximum) are allowed on all trails, including the boardwalk, and in the campgrounds.
How do you get to Congaree National Park from Columbia?
Take I-77 to Exit 5 (Bluff Road, SC 48 East), drive about 8 miles, bear right on Old Bluff Road for 4.5 miles to the park sign, then 1 mile to the visitor center. Use 100 National Park Road, Hopkins, SC 29061 in your GPS.