Celebrating Congaree National Park's 50th Anniversary

Congaree National Park is turning 50! Join the park on the weekend of October 17-18, 2026 to celebrate 50 years of Congaree National Park and learn more about the "Green Heart of South Carolina, including the efforts of local conservationists to establish the park in the 1970s, how the park has evolved over the past half-century, protecting the natural and cultural resources of the largest remaining old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. 

Over the weekend, numerous opportunities will be available for park visitors to learn about the establishment and history of the park through interpretive ranger talks, guided hikes, and the Voices of Congaree series, featuring speakers presenting talks about the legacy and history of the park. A schedule of events is listed below, and more detailed descriptions and locations where each will be taking place will be available on the event listings for each event. 

Saturday, October 17
  9:30 - Ranger Talk - Congaree Action Now! The Effort to Preserve the Green Heart of South Carolina
10:00 - Congaree National Park 50 for 50 BioBlitz
11:00 - Ranger Talk - The Green Heart of South Carolina: Congaree National Park at 50
11:30 - Voices of Congaree Speaker Series
  1:00 - Carolina Wildlife Center 
  2:00 - Ranger Talk- Tall & Stately as the Trees: Congaree & the Enduring Legacy of Harry Hampton
  2:30 - Voices of Congaree Speaker Series
  3:30 - Ranger Talk - The Green Heart of South Carolina: Congaree National Park at 50
  5:45 - Owl Prowl (sign-up required)

Sunday, October 18
  9:00 - 50th Anniversary Big Tree Hike with John Cely (sign-up required)
  9:30 - Ranger Talk - Congaree Action Now! The Effort to Preserve the Green Heart of South Carolina
11:00 - Ranger Talk - The Green Heart of South Carolina: Congaree National Park at 50
12:15 - Celebrating of Congaree National Park's 50th Anniversary
12:45 - Voices of Congaree Speaker Series
  2:00 - Ranger Talk- Tall & Stately as the Trees: Congaree & the Enduring Legacy of Harry Hampton
  2:00 - Riverbanks Zoo
  3:00 - Voices of Congaree Speaker Series
  3:30 - Ranger Talk - Congaree Action Now! The Effort to Preserve the Green Heart of South Carolina

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

All programs will either take place or start at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center.

Latitude and Longitude 33.829619, -80.823373

Schedule

Event Type

• Hike
• Talk
• Walk