Congaree National Park
Trailie
Build your Congaree itinerary
Tell Trailie your dates, pace, and interests — get a day-by-day Congaree National Park plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Congaree at a glance
- Best time
- January–February, June–December
- Trip length
- 1–2 days
- Don't miss
- Main Congaree highlights — see Things to Do for current listings
- Nearby city
- Hopkins, SC
Explore this park
About Congaree National Park
Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers sweep through the floodplain, carrying nutrients and sediments that nourish and rejuvenate this ecosystem and support the growth of national and state champion trees.
3 current NPS alerts
- Caution: Paddling Conditions
- Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
- Information: Planning Ahead for Transportation
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 11, 2026). Official Congaree National Park page on nps.gov
Weather Information
Check the forecast before getting on the road. Conditions can change rapidly within the park. Flooding can happen with little or no warning, so make sure to check water levels for Cedar Creek and the Congaree River.
Operating Hours
Congaree Operating Hours (Not Visitor Center Hours)
Congaree National Park is generally open 24 hours a day year-round. For visitor and staff safety, park operations and/or weather conditions may occasionally result in short term, temporary closures. Please review the park webpage and social media platforms for more information. The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is open 9-5, daily. It is closed New Year's Day, President's Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Please check alerts prior to your visit.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Common questions
Planning Congaree
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 4 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Congaree National Park Ranger-Guided Canoe Tours and Congaree National Park Firefly Viewing Lottery. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
