3-Day Congaree National Park Itinerary
Three days exploring the Southeast's tallest old-growth forest via boardwalk and paddle.
Congaree National Park preserves the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States, where champion-sized loblolly pines, baldcypress, and tupelos rise over 100 feet above the floodplain.
- 26.7K Acres
- 170 ft Tallest loblolly pine
- 6 National champion trees
- Free Entrance fee
Day 1: Boardwalk & Forest Canopy
Stay: Longleaf Campground offers 16 tent sites within walking distance of the Visitor Center; reserve via recreation.gov.
Introduce yourself to Congaree's champion-sized trees via the signature boardwalk, then settle into camp for the next two nights.
- Start at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center to collect maps and ranger tips.
- Walk the 2.6-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail, where an elevated walkway suspends you 6 feet above the swamp, threading through a canopy dominated by baldcypress, tupelo, and loblolly pines.
- Many of these trees are national or state champions—the tallest loblolly pine stands 170 feet.
- Pass Weston Lake, an old channel of the Congaree River.
- After the walk, set up camp at nearby Longleaf Campground.
Day 2: Cedar Creek Paddle
Stay: Return to Longleaf Campground for your second night after paddling.
Venture into the primeval forest by water, where paddling brings you face-to-face with the park's oldest trees and wildlife in their natural habitat.
- Book a guided paddling tour or rent a canoe from a Columbia outfitter (Palmetto Outdoor, Carolina Outdoor Adventures, or River Runner Outdoor offer rentals and 3- to 4-hour tours).
- Paddle 4–6 miles down Cedar Creek, floating beneath towering baldcypress and tupelo trees draped in Spanish moss.
- Watch for river otters, great blue herons, wood ducks, and occasionally alligators.
- The water is clear, the current gentle, and the forest primeval.
Day 3: Bluff Trail & Departure
Stay: Break camp and depart after the morning hike.
Before leaving, explore a different ecosystem—pine-dominated uplands—to see the full diversity of Congaree's forests beyond the floodplain.
- Hike the 1.8-mile Bluff Trail in the morning through stands of loblolly pines, offering your last forest experience from a different vantage than the riverside floodplain.
- The trail is flat and easy, a fitting finale before heading home with a full picture of Congaree's ecosystem mosaic.
Common Questions
Is there an entrance fee to visit Congaree National Park?
No, Congaree National Park has no entrance fee and is open 24/7, 365 days a year. However, if you camp overnight at Longleaf Campground ($15/night) or Bluff Campground ($10/night), you pay only the camping fee. Day-use visitors explore the park completely free.
Do I need my own canoe to paddle Cedar Creek?
Yes, Congaree does not rent canoes or kayaks. However, multiple outfitters in nearby Columbia (20 minutes away) offer rentals and guided tours, including Palmetto Outdoor, Carolina Outdoor Adventures, and River Runner Outdoor. Guided 3- to 4-hour tours typically cost $100–150 and include all equipment.
How difficult are the hiking trails at Congaree?
Most of Congaree's trails are flat and easy. The Boardwalk Loop (2.6 miles round-trip) and Bluff Trail (1.8 miles round-trip) have zero to minimal elevation gain. The Weston Lake Trail (4.5 miles round-trip) is also flat. Backwoods trails like Oakridge and Boggy Gut are more challenging but subject to seasonal flooding; stick to the boardwalk and four non-flooded trails for a predictable experience.
When is the best time to visit Congaree?
Fall (September–November) and spring (March–May) offer ideal conditions with temperatures in the 70s, lower humidity, and minimal insects. Summer (June–August) is the worst time—heat index exceeds 110°F, humidity is oppressive, and daily thunderstorms are common. Plan your 3-day trip for September through May for the most comfortable experience.
Where can I stay if I don't want to camp?
The nearest hotels are in Columbia, South Carolina, about 20 minutes from the park entrance. Options include Hotel Trundle, Country Inn & Suites, and Holiday Inn Express. No lodging exists within Congaree National Park itself; all accommodation is either tent camping at Longleaf or Bluff Campgrounds, or hotels/inns in nearby Columbia.
Sources & Further Reading
- Congaree National Park — National Park Service
- Trip Ideas - Congaree National Park — National Park Service
- Boardwalk Loop - Congaree National Park — National Park Service
- Trail Information - Congaree National Park — National Park Service
- Canoeing and Kayaking - Congaree National Park — National Park Service
- Canoe Trail Conditions - Congaree National Park — National Park Service
- Weather - Congaree National Park — National Park Service
- Camping - Congaree National Park — National Park Service
- Fees & Passes - Congaree National Park — National Park Service
- Frequently Asked Questions - Congaree National Park — National Park Service
- Longleaf Campground, Congaree National Park - Recreation.gov — Recreation.gov
- Bluff Hike In Camping, Congaree National Park - Recreation.gov — Recreation.gov
- Guided Tours - Palmetto Outdoor — Palmetto Outdoor
- Guided Kayak Trips | Carolina Outdoor Adventures — Carolina Outdoor Adventures
- Rentals | River Runner Outdoor — River Runner Outdoor
