Harry Hampton Visitor Center Visitor Center

Portions of the visitor center, including the museum and park film, remain closed at this time. The America's National Parks Bookstore is open. During standard hours, park staff and volunteers are available to assist visitors at the information kiosk. The information kiosk is located in the breezeway at Harry Hampton Visitor Center.

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Congaree Picnic Shelter Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

The Congaree Picnic Shelter is located a short distance from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and is adjacent to the park's primary parking area. The picnic shelter is also near the park's popular Boardwalk Trail. 

Recreation

Congaree National Park offers a wide range of opportunities to explore and experience the great outdoors. Many miles of hiking trails can be found in the park ranging from easy to moderately strenuous. Old growth forests, teeming with wildlife can be accessed by park trails or by exploring the many miles of waterways in a canoe or kayak. Interpretive programs including guided hikes, canoe tours and special ranger-led programs are offered throughout the year. 

Facilities

The picnic shelter offers picnic tables and two large barbeque grills, as well as trash and recycling cans. 

Natural Features

The picnic shelter is located in an upland pine forest. The shelter is a short walk away from the Boardwalk Trail, which takes visitors into the old-growth floodplain forest that Congaree is most notable for, as well as access to other trails that take visitors into the park's backcountry where they can see champion-sized trees and wildlife. The shelter is also close to trails that take visitors through the upland pine forest where they can see how fire is a natural part of the ecosystem and is used to maintain and restore this fire-dependent habitat.

Nearby Attractions

Congaree National Park is located near many attractions including state parks, forests and parks. The city of Columbia is a short drive from the park and offers access to many attractions including museums, city parks and shopping.

Charges & Cancellations

Customers who cancel a picnic shelter reservation less than seven (7) days before the arrival date will forfeit the total fee. 

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CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK CAMPING Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Longleaf and Bluff campgrounds are located above the floodplain in the upland region of Congaree National Park. Many of the park trails can be accessed from the campgrounds.

Recreation

At this time, the park's front & backcountry areas are open, including all hiking trails, Boardwalk Trail, restrooms, picnic shelter, Cedar Creek Canoe Trail & canoe landings. The western leg the Weston Lake Loop Trail remains closed. An outdoor visitor contact station is open from 9:00 to 1:00 daily, and maps and information are available outside of the Visitor Center 24/7. Please check out website for updates, as well as current conditions at the park. 

Congaree National Park offers a wide range of opportunities to explore and experience the great outdoors. Many miles of hiking trails can be found in the park ranging from easy to moderately strenuous. Old growth forests, teeming with wildlife can be accessed by park trails or by exploring the many miles of waterways in a canoe or kayak. Interpretive programs including guided hikes, canoe tours and special ranger-led programs are offered throughout the year. 

Facilities

At this time, all sites at the Bluff Campground and select individual and group sites are available at the Longleaf Campground. Those wishing to camp at the park and who are prepared for primitive camping in the Congaree Wilderness can learn more about this type of camping and how to obtain a permit on the Backcountry Camping page on our official website.

The campgrounds accommodate tents only and are primitive with no electrical hookups or access for RVs. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided. Water is not available at either location. Water is available 24 hours a day at filling stations located at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center

Longleaf Campground has two vault toilets located at the entrance of the campground.

Bluff Campground is a one mile hike from the registration station and does not have have restroom facilities.

Natural Features

The campgrounds are located in a spectacular wooded setting, nestled in the upland pine forests of Congaree National Park.

Nearby Attractions

Congaree National Park is located near many attractions including state parks, forests and parks. The city of Columbia is a short drive from the park and offers access to many attractions including museums, city parks and shopping.

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Congaree National Park Ranger-Guided Canoe Tours Ticket Facility

Overview:

Congaree National Park preserves the largest remaining section of old-growth bottomland forest in the United States. A federally designated wilderness area in the floodplain of the Congaree River, it is a landscape forever shaped by water. Here, visitors to the park can see some of the tallest trees east of the Mississippi and witness amazing biodiversity.

Numerous waterways can be found throughout the park. Cedar Creek, the primary body of water in the park, flows 15 miles from the parks northern border to its confluence with the Congaree River. This creek flows through a magnificent old-growth forest, past breath-taking trees and is home to many types of wildlife.

Congaree National Park offers a wide range of opportunities to explore and experience the great outdoors. Park visitors will find old growth forests teeming with wildlife, miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to moderately strenuous and miles of waterways in a canoe or kayak. The park offers advance reservations for guided canoe tours from April through November. Guided canoe tours will begin at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. The park also offers first-come, first-served interpretive programs throughout the year including guided hikes and ranger presentations.

Summary of Fees

Tour Name	Fee	Reservation Fee (per ticket)	Changes*	Cancellations*
Ranger Guided Canoe Tours	$0.00	$1.50 (non-refundable)	n/a	$1.50

**Customers may request changes until midnight the day before the tour at no cost.
*Customers who cancel a tour will forfeit the $1.50 reservation fee

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Congaree National Park Firefly Viewing Lottery Ticket Facility

Congaree National Park is home to a number of different species of fireflies, but it is the synchronized fireflies that lure thousands of people to the park each spring. These fireflies are one of only a few species around the world that synchronize their flash patterns in a majestic ritual that heralds the coming of summer. This late springtime display is part of their annual mating ritual that takes place for approximately two weeks, typically beginning around mid-May, along the edge of the Congaree floodplain. 

During the evenings of May 20, 21, 22 & 27, 28, 29, entry to the park will be limited to only 120 vehicles displaying a valid event pass. Event passes will be distributed via lottery in order to provide an equitable opportunity for all interested visitors in this limited, yet high-demand event. During the event, the park entrance gates will close to entry at 4:00 PM. Day-use visitors will exit the park by this time. Access to the firefly viewing area will open to ticket holders at 6:30 PM. During non-event days the frontcountry areas of the park (including the entrance road and visitor center) will be closed to the public after 4:00 PM. 

Please visit the park’s Fireflies webpage for additional information about this event. 

• Lottery Opens: March 31, 2022, 10:00 AM EDT

• Lottery Closes: April 6, 2022, 10:00 AM EDT

• Results Announced: April 14, 2022

• Event Dates: May 20-22 & 27-29, 2022

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