Fees & Passes

Free

No entrance pass required

An entrance pass is not required to access Congaree National Park.

Other National Park Service sites may require an entrance pass or fee. Depending on your trip plans, an interagency pass may save you money.

2025 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

• Thursday, January 9 — National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter Jr.
• Monday, January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Saturday, April 19 — First Day of National Park Week
• Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
• Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
• Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day

 

Park Admission

Entrance to Congaree National Park is free. There is no fee to enter the park.

America the Beautiful - National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Passes

There is no guarantee that you will be able to purchase or obtain a park pass at Congaree. You must call the day of your visit to inquire.

Congaree National Park is able to sell and issue America the Beautiful Interagency passes at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center on a very limited basis, dependent on staffing. You must call 803-776-4396 ahead of your visit to inquire if pass sales are available. If pass sales are not available on the day you are planning to visit the park, the below options are also available:

• Annual, Military, Senior, or Access passes are available at any national park site that charges an entrance fee.
• call 1-888-275-8747
• visit America the Beautiful - National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Passes | USGS Store
• For Columbia area residents: If pass sales are not available at the park, you may be able to purchase or obtain a pass by visiting the U.S. Forest Service office located at 4931 Broad River Road Columbia, SC. Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Please call [phone] in advance to make sure that passes are available.

Note: If you are planning a trip to a national park that charges a fee, you can always purchase the America the Beautiful pass upon arrival. You do not need to purchase an America the Beautiful pass in advance of your visit.