Park or nature areaUsable guide

Congaree National Park

National park in South Carolina, United States

Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Overview

Congaree National Park is the only United States national park in the state of South Carolina, an old growth forest with wetlands and rivers popular for canoeing.

Getting there and around

Getting there

By bus
Bus service is provided by the COMET Route 47, with connections from various locations in and around Columbia.

Read in the guide

Getting around

Once you leave your car at the lot, you're on foot. The visitor's center and the boardwalk, which offers a stunning view of the flood plain, are both handicapped accessible.

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Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Columbia Metropolitan Airport

Columbia · Regional · CAE

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Read before you go to Congaree National Park

Articles and travel topics about Congaree National Park and United States.

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Full travel guide

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UnderstandPrehistoric foragers hunted the area and fished its waters. The Congaree Indians claimed the floodplain and Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto recounted the intrigue of the area in his journals.

Get inFrom downtown Columbia, Congaree National Park is an easy half-hour drive up Bluff Road (route numbers are labeled, but seldom used by locals). Follow the signs from there, which clearly mark the way to the park.

Fees and permitsCongaree National Park does not charge entrance fees.

Get aroundOnce you leave your car at the lot, you're on foot. The visitor's center and the boardwalk, which offers a stunning view of the flood plain, are both handicapped accessible.

SeePrimeval forest landscapes and diverse plant and animal life.

DoCanoeing is available (check the visitor's center), but you may have to portage in low or high water seasons. Owl walks also happen on Friday nights throughout the summer.

BuyThe visitor center offers a wide selection of guides and national park paraphernalia. If you're into hiking South Carolina, you'll find plenty of guidebooks and friendly people to help you plan your trip.

EatBring it in or hit the vending machines. If you want a hot meal after a hard hike, try some of the restaurants in downtown Columbia.

SleepDid you bring a tent? If not, downtown Columbia is again your best bet.

Stay safe

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Congaree National Park" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Congaree National Park", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Congaree swamp.jpg, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

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