National Park

Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park is a National Park in South Carolina. The NPS currently lists 3 active alerts, 2 campgrounds and 1 visitor center, and no entrance fee.

South Carolina National Park No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

A view of a bottomland/floodplain forest, with wide based cypress and tupelo trees, cypress knees — Floodplain Forest · Photo: NPS Photo (via nps.gov)

About the park

“Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States.”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/cong

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

3 active NPS alerts as of Oct 28, 2026: 0 closures, 0 danger, 2 caution and 1 information.

Caution

Paddling Conditions

Trees down across Cedar Creek between Bannister's Bridge and South Cedar Creek may require significant portages depending on water levels & paddlers should plan accordingly. All paddlers should have necessary equipment, including the 10 Essentials.

Posted or updated Apr 19, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Caution

Backcountry Trail Conditions

GPS is necessary on backcountry trails: Oakridge, Boggy Gut (formerly River), and Kingsnake. These trails may be difficult to follow.

Posted or updated Nov 19, 2025 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Information

Planning Ahead for Transportation

If being dropped off at the park, please ensure you will have a return ride. Taxis and rideshares do not often come out to Congaree, and the bus may be unavailable. Please plan ahead.

Posted or updated Nov 8, 2023 ·Details on nps.gov

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.

Things to do

Activities the NPS lists for Congaree.

CampingBackcountry CampingCanoe or Kayak CampingCar or Front Country CampingGroup CampingFishingFreshwater FishingFoodPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingHands-OnCitizen ScienceVolunteer VacationHikingBackcountry HikingFront-Country HikingOff-Trail Permitted HikingPaddlingCanoeingKayakingJunior Ranger ProgramMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park Store

Operating 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.

Congaree Operating Hours (Not Visitor Center Hours)
Day	Hours
Monday	All Day
Tuesday	All Day
Wednesday	All Day
Thursday	All Day
Friday	All Day
Saturday	All Day
Sunday	All Day

Weather: 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.

Contact and directions

Phone: 8037764396
Email: [email protected]
Address: 100 National Park Road, Hopkins, SC 29061
Coordinates: 33.7919, -80.7487· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor center	Standard hours	Phone	Passport stamp
Harry Hampton Visitor Center	Daily: 9:00AM - 5:00PM	803-776-4396	Yes

Campgrounds

Campground	Total sites	Reservable	First-come	RVs	Fee	Reserve
Bluff Campground	6	6	6	No	$10	Recreation.gov
Longleaf Campground	14	14	14	No	$15	Recreation.gov

Site counts and fees are from the NPS campground data. Fees show the first listed rate; availability is not shown here — check the reservation site.

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More parks in South Carolina

Charles Pinckney National Historic Site Cowpens National Battlefield Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park Kings Mountain National Military Park Ninety Six National Historic Site Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail Reconstruction Era National Historical Park All in South Carolina

Nearest other NPS sites

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.