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Current Conditions

Alerts

Caution

• Flooding Conditions Possible (Updated 5/23/17)

  Alert 1 , Severity ,caution ,, Flooding Conditions Possible (Updated 5/23/17) The following areas could experience flooding conditions this week: River, Oakridge, Kingsnake, Weston Lake, Sims & Bates Ferry Trails; Low Boardwalk; Cedar Creek Canoe Trail. Please stop by the Visitor Center for current info before exploring the park.

Information

• Synchronized Fireflies at Congaree (Updated 5/23/17)

  Alert 1 , Severity ,information ,, Synchronized Fireflies at Congaree (Updated 5/23/17) Every year the park hosts synchronous fireflies for approximately two weeks (usually between mid-May and mid-June). Please click "more" to go to our 2017 Synchronous Fireflies page for current updates & how you can experience this natural phenomenon!
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• Lower Boardwalk Construction Information (Updated 5/23/2017)

  Alert 2 , Severity ,information ,, Lower Boardwalk Construction Information (Updated 5/23/2017) The park is currently replacing a section of the Boardwalk, requiring intermittent trail closures. Current Advisory: The southwest section of the Low Boardwalk (.3 miles) is CLOSED. The remainder of the boardwalk is open to hikers.

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Seasonal flooding often covers the park's trails.

NPS Photo

 

Much of Congaree National Park lies within the floodplain of the Congaree River. This dynamic environment is subject to periodic flooding which occurs approximately ten times each year. With almost 80% of the park lying within the floodplain, these floods make the backcountry trails and even parts of the boardwalk inaccessible to visitors.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) maintains two flood gauges in or near the park. The Cedar Creek and Congaree River gauges are available online and updated hourly for you to check current water levels. Flooding is most common during the winter months, but can happen at any time of the year. Flood stage for Cedar Creek is set at 8 feet, and for the Congaree River at 15 feet. Low lying areas of the park can begin to flood even if the creek or river have not yet reached flood stage. For questions or to check on current water levels or trail conditions, please call our information desk at [phone].