Congaree National Park — Visitor Info

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Congaree National Park protects the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States, along the Congaree River in South Carolina. Boardwalk trails, canoe trails through the floodplain, and some of the tallest trees in the eastern US are the highlights — there's no vehicle or RV camping anywhere in the park.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: The park's floodplain regularly floods, closing trails and the Boardwalk Loop with little notice — always check current water levels and closures before visiting. Mosquitoes can be extreme, especially in warmer months; the park even posts a daily "mosquito meter." Always check the official Congaree Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Central South Carolina, near Columbia
Entrance Fee
None
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No
Permit Needed For
Backcountry camping (free, 72-hour advance request)
Lodging
None — walk-in tent camping only; hotels in Columbia
Managed By
National Park Service

Visitor Centers

Harry Hampton Visitor Center
The park's only visitor center, at the start of the Boardwalk Loop. Exhibits, trip planning, and the park's only reliable drinking water and free wifi.

Confirm current hours on the official NPS hours & visitor centers page before you go.

Entrance Fees & Passes

Congaree National Park has no entrance fee. Because there's no fee station, park staff aren't always available to sell America the Beautiful passes on-site — buy or pick one up at a fee-charging park instead if you need one for other trips.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

Since Congaree doesn't charge an entrance fee, the Every Kid Outdoors pass isn't needed here, but it's good for free entry at fee-charging parks elsewhere in the system.

Permits & Reservations

You do not need a permit to enter the park, hike the Boardwalk Loop, or day-hike other trails. Camping requires either a campground reservation or a backcountry permit:

Backcountry Camping

Free, but requires advance approval — requests must be submitted by email at least 72 hours before your trip (requests made within 72 hours won't be considered). Backcountry sites aren't marked; campers choose their own spot at least 100ft from named creeks and lakes, with groups capped at 6 people and 3 structures per site. No open fires are allowed in the backcountry.

Campgrounds & RV Options

There is no RV or vehicle camping anywhere in Congaree National Park — both campgrounds are walk-in tent-only, and reservations are required for both.

Longleaf Campground
Near the park entrance road. Walk-up only — park in the gravel lot and carry gear up to about 100 yards. 10 individual sites ($15/night, up to 8 people/3 tents) and 4 group sites ($25/night, 9–24 people). No running water on-site (available at the visitor center). Reserve on Recreation.gov.
Bluff Campground
About a mile's hike from Longleaf Campground or the visitor center — no vehicle access at all. 6 individual sites, $10/night, no restrooms or running water. Reserve on Recreation.gov.

For RVs or trailers, look to South Carolina State Parks or private campgrounds in the Columbia area — Congaree itself cannot accommodate any vehicle camping.

Good to Know

  • The Boardwalk Loop is the signature trail — a 2.4-mile elevated boardwalk through the old-growth floodplain forest, accessible even when the ground below is flooded.
  • Cedar Creek Canoe Trail lets you paddle through the floodplain forest itself — check water levels before heading out, since low water can strand paddlers on logs and high water can be dangerous.
  • Synchronous fireflies put on a rare, closely-timed light show for about two weeks each late spring — the park runs a lottery for parking passes during peak viewing.
  • Mosquitoes can be severe — the park posts a daily "mosquito meter" and heavy repellent is recommended most of the year.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees and regulations change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Congaree National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Camping · NPS – Alerts & Conditions