Sightseeing
History BuffSouth Carolina State House
FreeTour the granite capitol of South Carolina, where bronze stars mark the spots Sherman's cannons hit during the Civil War.
Photo: Miguel.v, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.
Sport & OutdoorOutdoor AdventureFreeFamily Favorite
Congaree National Park
100 National Park Rd · Hopkins, SC
Why you should go…
Congaree National Park protects the largest remaining tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States, about 18 miles southeast of Columbia. You can explore its wilderness on foot, by kayak or by canoe, starting with the Boardwalk Trail. The park holds the tallest known examples of 15 tree species, including a 167-foot loblolly pine. Flooding can come with little warning, so check water levels for Cedar Creek and the Congaree River first, and expect mosquitoes in summer.
- #national park
- #boardwalk trail
- #old-growth forest
- #canoeing
- #hiking
Good to know
General sport & outdoor guidance
Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.
Weather calls the shots
Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.
Shoes, water, sun cover
The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.
Parking and launches fill early
On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.
Daylight shrinks in shoulder season
Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.
What's around here?
The closest stops to Congaree National Park, ordered by straight-line distance.
