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Current Conditions

Alerts

Information

• America the Beautiful Passes (Senior, Access, Military, etc.)

  Alert 1 , Severity ,information ,, America the Beautiful Passes (Senior, Access, Military, etc.) Congaree National Park does not currently sell the America the Beautiful - National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Passes (there is no entrance fee for the park). To find out where you can purchase a pass, please click "more":
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• Total Solar Eclipse (August 21, 2017)

  Alert 2 , Severity ,information ,, Total Solar Eclipse (August 21, 2017) Congaree National Park is one of a handful of national parks that will experience the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. Please click on "more" to see information about this once-in-a-lifetime event (including safety, programs, reservations, etc.)
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• Eclipse Parking Information

  Alert 3 , Severity ,information ,, Eclipse Parking Information Overnight parking will not be allowed on Sunday, August 20 (except registered campers). Parking lots will open at 6:30am Monday, August 21. Entrance gates will close when parking lots are full (at visitor center & South Cedar Creek Canoe Landing).
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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].