Congaree National Park
The largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the southeast, on a floodplain.
- 18named trails
- 23trail miles mapped
- South Carolinalocation
Popular hikes in Congaree
- Bluff Trail · about 1.7 mi · Easy
- Boardwalk Loop · about 2.6 mi · Easy
- Sims Trail · about 3.2 mi · Easy
- Weston Lake Loop · about 4.4 mi · Easy
- Oakridge Trail · about 6.6 mi · Moderate
- River Trail · about 10 mi · Moderate
Best months to visit
- March: Before the mosquitoes and humidity of summer, Congaree's old-growth floodplain forest is at its most pleasant. Spring green-up starts under some of the tallest trees in the East.
- May: Synchronous fireflies flash in unison in Congaree's floodplain forest from about mid-May to mid-June. It's one of only a few places in North America where they happen.
- November: Cool weather and very few mosquitoes: late fall is the best time to walk Congaree's old-growth forest and paddle Cedar Creek.
Permits and reservations
No entry reservation. Campgrounds need a reservation.
- Backcountry camping permit: Free permit, requested by emailing the park at least 72 hours before your trip.
- Longleaf & Bluff campgrounds: Everyone camping in a frontcountry campground needs a reservation through Recreation.gov (or 1-877-444-6777).
All 18 trails in Congaree
- Banister Bridge · 0.18 mi round trip · Easy
- Bates Ferry Trail · 2.2 mi round trip · Easy
- Bluff · 1.7 mi round trip · Easy
- Bluff Extension · 1.22 mi round trip · Easy
- Bluff Spur Trail · 0.26 mi round trip · Easy
- Boardwalk Loop · 3.88 mi round trip · Easy
- Dog Trail · 0.62 mi round trip · Easy
- Elevated Boardwalk · 1.42 mi round trip · Easy
- Firefly Trail · 0.6 mi round trip · Easy
- Fork Swamp Trail · 0.58 mi loop · Easy
- Kingsnake · 3.66 mi round trip · Easy
- Longleaf Trail · 0.68 mi round trip · Easy
- Lower Boardwalk · 2.68 mi round trip · Easy
- Oakridge · 7.04 mi round trip · Easy
- Picnic Trail · 0.16 mi round trip · Easy
- River · 10.76 mi round trip · Easy
- Sims Trail · 2.8 mi round trip · Easy
- Weston Lake Loop · 4.12 mi round trip · Easy
Trailbound shows every one of these on an interactive map with live weather, park alerts and elevation profiles. It's free to browse.