• Bald Cypress and Water Tupelo along Cedar Creek

    Congaree

    National Park South Carolina

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • South Cedar Creek Canoe Launch Closed Sporadically in June

    The South Cedar Creek Canoe Launch will be closed sporadically beginning June 17 to prepare the area for an upcoming parking area expansion project. Paddlers may access the creek from Bannister Bridge during closures. Please all ahead for closure info. More »

  • Elevated Boardwalk Section Closed

    A portion of the elevated boardwalk is closed for repairs due to damage from a tree falling. Visitors can still access the boardwalk, see a park ranger for current information and hiking recommendations.

Directions

 

Congaree National Park is located about 25 minutes from downtown Columbia, South Carolina in the Hopkins / Gadsden community.

From CAE - Columbia Metropolitan Airport. (Approx. 24 miles)

At the airport exit, go right on the ramp following signs labeled "TO SC 302/Columbia. Follow this road (John Hardee Expressway) until it ends at SC 302 (Airport Blvd.) Turn left onto SC 302 East toward Columbia. Drive approximately one mile, and turn right onto Interstate 26 East, toward Charleston. At Exit 116, turn onto Interstate 77 North towards Charlotte (LEFT EXIT). Continue on Interstate 77 for approximately five miles to exit 5. Follow directions below from I 77, Exit 5.

From Spartanburg (Approx. 115 miles)

Follow Interstate 26 East (towards Charleston) to Exit 116. At Exit 116, turn onto Interstate 77 North towards Charlotte (LEFT EXIT). Continue on Interstate 77 for approximately five miles to Exit 5. Follow directions below from I 77, Exit 5.

From Charleston (Approx. 114 miles)

Follow Interstate 26 West (towards Spartanburg) to Exit 116. Turn onto Interstate 77 North towards Charlotte. Continue on Interstate 77 for approximately five miles to exit 5. Follow directions below from I 77, Exit 5.

From Charlotte (Approx. 110 miles)

Take Interstate 77 South for approximately 95 miles to Exit 5. Follow directions below from I 77, Exit 5.

From Interstate 77, Exit 5

At Exit 5 turn off onto SC Hwy 48 East (Bluff Rd.), following the brown and white Congaree National Park directional signs. Travel southeast approximately 12 miles on SC Hwy 48 (Bluff Rd.) toward Gadsden. Take the right fork onto Old Bluff Rd. at the brown and white sign. At the large park entrance sign, turn right onto the park entrance road and proceed one mile to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Parking lots will be on the right.

From St. Matthews / Hwy 601

Follow Hwy 601 North to the intersection with Bluff Road (SC Hwy 48). Turn left onto Bluff Road. Follow Bluff Road for 11 miles, until you see the brown and white Congaree National Park directional sign. Immediately after the sign, turn left onto Mt. View Road. Follow Mt. View Rd. for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Old Bluff Rd. and travel 0.6 miles. At the large park entrance sign, turn left onto the park entrance road and proceed one mile to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Parking lots will be on the right.

Did You Know?

Students learn about the diverse forest community at Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park ranks among the most diverse forest communities in North America. There are 22 different plant communities in the park.