While protecting southern hardwood forest for the enjoyment of future generations, this park also offers hiking, canoeing and interesting ranger-led activities.
Congaree National Park was established to protect and preserve old-growth forest in South Carolina. View these impressive trees, some of which are identified as state and national champions. Their combination of circumference, height and crown spread sets them apart from other trees.
Old-growth bottomland hardwood forest is preserved here while most similar eastern United States trees were cut down historically for varied human needs. Some trees are 150 feet (45 meters) tall. See oak, pine, bald cypress, water tupelo and many other species.
Enjoy 26 miles (42 kilometers) of hiking trails inside the park. Follow the 2.4-mile (3.9-kilometer) Boardwalk Loop Trail with 20 spots marked with interpretive information.
Join guided “Walk and Talk” activities, ranging from 15-minute chats to long nature hikes, canoe tours and nighttime owl prowls. Rangers and volunteers lead the sessions. Sign up to become a volunteer for the Christmas bird count, which assesses the health of the park’s avian population. Bring your binoculars and bird-watching enthusiasm.
Rent a canoe in nearby Columbia or bring your own canoe or kayak and personal flotation device to follow part of the 15-mile (24-kilometer) marked Cedar Creek Canoe Trail. On this peaceful trip, you’ll pass under tall trees. You may need to portage around temporary impediments. You’re likely to see deer, otters and turtles and hear birdsong and frog croaks.
The park has very unusual sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places: cattle mounds. Look for these flat man-made earthen mounds elevated about 10 feet (3 meters) above swampy terrain. Farmers provided these areas for cattle, deer and other wildlife to stay safe during flooding.
Visit the park any day year-round. Entrance, camping and guided tours are all free. The park is about a 30-minute drive south of Columbia. You can also arrive here by canoe following the 50-mile (80-kilometer) Congaree River Blue Trail from Columbia.
Not all U.S. national parks are free, but like Congaree National Park, all offer convenient access to diverse natural resources, providing affordable adventure for all types of visitors. Enjoy your trip to see champion trees and more in Congaree National Park.
