Congaree National Park is a national park in Hopkins, Richland County, in South Carolina's Midlands. Entry is free. It is generally open 24 hours a day. Facts read from the official page on October 25, 2026.
- HoursOpen 24 hoursofficial hours below
- AdmissionFree entry
- WhereHopkinsRichland County, Midlands
- DogsLeashed, 6 ftrules below
About Congaree
Congaree protects the largest intact stretch of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the southeastern United States, flooded and fed by the Congaree and Wateree rivers. Entry is free, and you can explore it on foot, by kayak or by canoe, including the raised sections of the Boardwalk Trail.
Plan It In Three Lines
Getting In
Free to enter.
Open 24 hoursMake It A Day
Poinsett State Park is about 12 miles away (straight line).
3 places within 30 miles
Congaree Hours
- Park: generally open 24 hours a day, year-round (not visitor center hours); short temporary closures can happen for weather or operations
Not confirmed: The Harry Hampton Visitor Center's hours did not load on the NPS hours page when we read it; call the park before you go.
Admission And Passes
- Free: no entrance pass is required
- Congaree does not sell America the Beautiful passes
Directions And Contact
- Address: 100 National Park Road, Hopkins, SC 29061
- Phone: 803.776.4396
- Map point: 33.79188,-80.74868, from NPS park data (park centre point). Directions in Google Maps
- Official page: www.nps.gov/cong/
- Some GPS apps route wrongly for "Congaree National Park"; use 100 National Park Road, Hopkins, SC 29061.
- Sleeping in vehicles is not allowed anywhere in the park. Ride-share pickup from the park may not be available; COMET bus route 47 stops at the visitor center.
- More than 20,000 acres are federally designated wilderness, and cell service is unreliable.
Dogs And Strollers
- Pets are allowed on all trails, including the boardwalk, and in the campgrounds.
- Leash no longer than 6 feet, under control at all times; pets may not be left unattended.
Not confirmed: stroller rules. The official page we read does not mention strollers; boardwalks and paved paths may suit them, but call ahead.
Near Congaree
- 1Poinsett State ParkState Parkabout 12 mi
- 2Sesquicentennial State ParkState Parkabout 22 mi
- 3Santee State ParkState Parkabout 24 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Coming Up Near Congaree
- Through May 31EdVenture Children's Museum (Columbia)On nowColumbia · about 19 mi
- Through Oct 30Boo at the Zoo (Riverbanks Zoo & Garden)On nowColumbia · about 19 mi
- Nov 1 – Mar 7South Carolina State Museum First SundayColumbia · about 19 mi
- Nov 2David SedarisColumbia · about 19 mi
- Nov 3Gamecocks men's basketball vs. Stetson (home opener)Columbia · about 19 mi
- Nov 6American Patriot Coffee Holiday MarketCamden · about 33 mi
40 more on the full events calendar.
Events within 40 miles, measured in a straight line to the centre of the event's town. Dates come from our checked events list; confirm with the organizer.
FAQ
How much does it cost to visit Congaree National Park?
Entry is free.
Are dogs allowed at Congaree?
Pets are allowed on all trails, including the boardwalk, and in the campgrounds.
What are the hours at Congaree?
Park: generally open 24 hours a day, year-round (not visitor center hours); short temporary closures can happen for weather or operations.
What We Could Not Verify
- Holiday and storm closures change at short notice; check the official page the day you go.
- Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.
Sources
- NPS: Fees and Passes (read 2026-10-25)
- NPS: Pets (read 2026-10-25)
- NPS: Directions (read 2026-10-25)
- NPS: Basic Information (read 2026-10-25)
- NPS park data service (hours, contacts, park point) (read 2026-10-25)
Last checked October 25, 2026 by the It’s South Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Congaree National Park”, itssouthcarolina.com/places/congaree-national-park/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.