Congaree National Park

This protected forest is home to dozens of national and state champion trees, some standing over 150 feet tall and nearly 300 years old. Beneath their canopy thrives a remarkable array of wildlife and plant life, earning Congaree international recognition as both a Biosphere Reserve and Globally Important Bird Area.

Congaree National Park’s Boardwalk Loop Trail

Explore the Untamed Beauty of Congaree National Park

From the 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail to miles of hiking and canoe paths, this natural gem just south of Columbia invites you to explore on foot or by water.

Discover Congaree National Park

Step into the hush of an ancient forest, where cypress knees rise from dark waters and the sky disappears behind champion trees.

See Congaree’s Champion Trees

Bigger than buildings and older than cities, the champion trees of Congaree rise above the floodplain in one of the last old-growth hardwood forests left in the Southeast.

Fireflies Light up Congaree National Park

Far from city lights, Congaree’s forest floor glows with the synchronized flashes of rare fireflies during a brief, breathtaking window in late spring.

Explore Congaree by Foot or by Boat

With 25 miles of trails and a winding blackwater creek, Congaree National Park offers two incredible ways to experience its ancient forest.

5 Unexpected Things to Do in Congaree National Park

Discover five reasons why Congaree is unlike any other national park—and why it just might become your favorite.

Go For It: National Park Paddlin'

Get an inside look at a paddling adventure through Congaree National Park with South Carolina native Devyn Whitmire.

Free Educational Programs Offered at Congaree National Park

From owl prowls to forest yoga, Congaree’s free ranger-led programs offer unique ways to experience the park’s towering trees, rare ecosystems and surprising wildlife.

Wild Wonders: Synchronous Fireflies

Plan a trip to Congaree National Park to relive the wonder of your youth as you watch synchronous fireflies emerge in an awe-inspiring light show.

Outdoor Adventures in the Capital City

With three scenic rivers and endless trails, Columbia is your launchpad for kayaking, tubing, hiking and biking—all within minutes of downtown.

A Lime Green Day on Cedar Creek

A day on Cedar Creek offers more than scenic views—it’s a chance to slow time, connect with nature and see the forest from a whole new perspective.

Download the South Carolina Bridwatching Guide

Great birding spots abound in South Carolina. Download the guide to learn more about the variety of species that frequents the Palmetto State and the best places for birdwatching.

Walk Congaree’s Boardwalk Loop Trail

Congaree’s Boardwalk Loop Trail leads you deep into an enchanting world of towering trees, where flooded trails and childhood wonder collide on one unforgettable boardwalk adventure.

Hike the Oakridge Trail

Hike through South Carolina’s last untouched bottomland forest, where ancient trees tower overhead and every bend of the Oakridge Trail reveals something new.

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