Planning Your Visit

Since most of the park is designated wilderness, you have the opportunity to experience the natural wonders on foot or by canoe. There are over 20 miles of hiking trails and 2.4 miles of boardwalk loop trail. The boardwalk loop trail provides wheelchair access to Weston Lake and foot access to other trails that wind through the Congaree floodplain forest. Colored markers make the trails easy to follow. Guided walks and canoe trips are offered free of charge. Call the park for more information, or if you would like to make reservations for special walks and canoe trips.

A marked canoe trail invites you to explore Cedar Creek. Bring your own canoe and personal flotation devices. Canoes and kayaks may be rented in the Columbia, S.C. area. Before canoeing ask the park staff about current water levels and conditions since low water or flooding is a possibility. Motorized vehicles and water craft are prohibited

If you are planning an overnight hiking or canoe trip, stop at the park visitor center for a free camping permit, a trail map, and up-to-date information on trail and weather conditions. Fires are prohibited except in the park's designated primitive campsites.

The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except December 25th. During daylight savings time, the visitor center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. An official park map and guide, a self-guided boardwalk brochure, species lists, and camping and fishing regulations are all available at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center.

Directions

Congaree National Park is located about 20 miles from downtown Columbia, South Carolina in the Hopkins / Gadsden community. Directions to the park are as follows:

From CAE - Columbia Metropolitan Airport. (Approx. 24 miles)

At the airport exit, go right on the ramp following signs labeled "TO SC 302/Columbia. Follow this road (John Hardee Expressway) until it ends at SC 302 (Airport Blvd.) Turn left onto SC 302 East toward Columbia. Drive approximately one mile, and turn right onto Interstate 26 East, toward Charleston. At Exit 116, turn onto Interstate 77 North towards Charlotte (LEFT EXIT). Continue on Interstate 77 for approximately five miles to exit 5. Follow directions below from I 77, Exit 5.

From Spartanburg (Approx. 115 miles)

Follow Interstate 26 East (towards Charleston) to Exit 116. At Exit 116, turn onto Interstate 77 North towards Charlotte (LEFT EXIT). Continue on Interstate 77 for approximately five miles to Exit 5. Follow directions below from I 77, Exit 5.

From Charleston (Approx. 114 miles)

Follow Interstate 26 West (towards Spartanburg) to Exit 116. Turn onto Interstate 77 North towards Charlotte. Continue on Interstate 77 for approximately five miles to exit 5. Follow directions below from I 77, Exit 5.

From Charlotte (Approx. 110 miles)

Take Interstate 77 South for approximately 95 miles to Exit 5. Follow directions below from I 77, Exit 5.

From Interstate 77, Exit 5

At Exit 5 turn off onto SC Hwy 48 East (Bluff Rd.), following the brown and white Congaree National Park directional signs. Travel southeast approximately fourteen miles on SC Hwy 48 (Bluff Rd.) toward Gadsden and turn right onto Mt. View Rd. Follow Mt. View Rd. for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Old Bluff Rd. and travel 0.6 miles. At the large park entrance sign, turn left onto the park entrance road and proceed one mile to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Parking lots will be on the right.

From St. Matthews / Hwy 601

Follow Hwy 601 North to the intersection with Bluff Road (SC Hwy 48). Turn left onto Bluff Road. Follow Bluff Road for 11 miles, until you see the brown and white Congaree National Park directional sign. Immediately after the sign, turn left onto Mt. View Road. Follow Mt. View Rd. for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Old Bluff Rd. and travel 0.6 miles. At the large park entrance sign, turn left onto the park entrance road and proceed one mile to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Parking lots will be on the right.

Fees & Reservations

FREE! Congaree National Park does not charge any entrance or tour fees.

Reservations are required for the following programs:

Guided Canoe Tours

Owl Prowls

Operating Hours & Seasons

Congaree National Park is open every day except for Christmas day (December 25th)

The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is open from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM.

During daylight savings time (DST), the Harry Hampton Visitor Center will be open until 7:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

You are always welcome to park in our after hours parking lot and walk the park trails before or after hours. (Note: This is also where you will need to park if you are camping.)