Congaree

Overview

Congaree National Park in central South Carolina protects the largest intact tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. The floodplain forest along the Congaree and Wateree Rivers holds state and national champion trees — loblolly pines over 160 feet tall, bald cypresses with buttressed trunks 25 feet in circumference, and a canopy so high and dense that it creates its own microclimate. The park holds more champion trees than any other national park. The 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail, accessible from the visitor center, winds through the old-growth canopy on an elevated walkway that keeps your feet dry while the floodplain below cycles between dry forest floor and standing water depending on recent rainfall. When the Congaree River floods — which happens roughly ten times per year — the forest floor transforms into a vast, slow-moving sheet of water that deposits nutrients and creates the rich conditions that fuel the extraordinary tree growth. Congaree's other signature experience is the synchronous firefly display in late May and early June, when Photinus carolinus fireflies flash in coordinated bursts, turning the forest into a pulsing light show. The event draws visitors from across the country and requires a lottery-won ticket. Kayaking Cedar Creek, a blackwater creek winding beneath the canopy, offers another perspective on the towering forest from water level.

Things to Do

• Walk the 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop through the old-growth canopy
• Kayak or canoe Cedar Creek through the forest
• Attend the synchronous firefly event (May-June lottery)
• Hike the Weston Lake Loop Trail
• Join a ranger-led Owl Prowl night walk
• Explore the River Trail to the Congaree River bluff
• Birdwatch among champion trees

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for these animals during your visit:

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Hot, humid summers with highs in the 90s and heavy mosquito activity. Spring and fall are comfortable. Winter is mild with bare-canopy views that reveal the forest structure. Flooding occurs year-round.