Boardwalk and floodplain forest at Congaree
Congaree National Park, SC
- Who it suits
- Families with little kids, families with teens, couples and friends
- How long
- 3 or 4 days
- Getting there
- Drive. A drive from Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte (about 8 hours or less by car).
- Seasons
- Spring, Fall, Winter
Why it works
- Congaree National Park protects the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States.
- The 2.6 mile Boardwalk Trail has benches along the way and is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
- You can paddle Cedar Creek into the heart of the park, renting a canoe or kayak from outfitters in the city of Columbia.
- Kids can pick up a Junior Ranger program book at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and earn an official Congaree National Park Junior Ranger badge.
Watch out for
- The park floods about ten times a year, which can make backcountry trails and even parts of the boardwalk inaccessible.
- From mid-spring until mid-fall you will encounter mosquitoes in the park, so bring insect repellent.
Sources
- Congaree National Park protects the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. source (checked 2026-11-14)
- The 2.6 mile Boardwalk Trail has benches along the way and is wheelchair and stroller accessible. source 1 · source 2 (checked 2026-11-14)
- You can paddle Cedar Creek into the heart of the park, renting a canoe or kayak from outfitters in the city of Columbia. source 1 · source 2 (checked 2026-11-14)
- Kids can pick up a Junior Ranger program book at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and earn an official Congaree National Park Junior Ranger badge. source (checked 2026-11-14)
- The park floods about ten times a year, which can make backcountry trails and even parts of the boardwalk inaccessible. source (checked 2026-11-14)
- From mid-spring until mid-fall you will encounter mosquitoes in the park, so bring insect repellent. source (checked 2026-11-14)