Congaree National Park - Plan Your Visit

Operating Hours Seasons

Operating hours 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily except for Christmas Day.

You are always welcome to park in our after hours parking lot and walk the park trails before or after hours. (Note: This is also where you will need to park if you are camping.)

Getting There

Plane

Columbia Airport - 30 miles away.

Car

From CAE - Columbia Metropolitan Airport. (Approx. 24 miles)

At the airport exit, go right on the ramp following signs labeled “TO SC 302/Columbia. Follow this road (John Hardee Expressway) until it ends at SC 302 (Airport Blvd.) Turn left onto SC 302 East toward Columbia. Drive approximately one mile, and turn right onto Interstate 26 East, toward Charleston. At Exit 116, turn onto Interstate 77 North towards Charlotte (LEFT EXIT). Continue on Interstate 77 for approximately five miles to exit 5. Follow directions below from I 77, Exit 5.

From Spartanburg (Approx. 115 miles)

Follow Interstate 26 East (towards Charleston) to Exit 116. At Exit 116, turn onto Interstate 77 North towards Charlotte (LEFT EXIT). Continue on Interstate 77 for approximately five miles to Exit 5. Follow directions below from I 77, Exit 5.

From Charleston (Approx. 114 miles)

Follow Interstate 26 West (towards Spartanburg) to Exit 116. Turn onto Interstate 77 North towards Charlotte. Continue on Interstate 77 for approximately five miles to exit 5. Follow directions below from I 77, Exit 5.

From Charlotte (Approx. 110 miles)

Take Interstate 77 South for approximately 95 miles to Exit 5. Follow directions below from I 77, Exit 5.

From Interstate 77, Exit 5

At Exit 5 turn off onto SC Hwy 48 East (Bluff Rd.), following the brown and white Congaree National Park directional signs. Travel southeast approximately fourteen miles on SC Hwy 48 (Bluff Rd.) toward Gadsden and turn right onto Mt. View Rd. Follow Mt. View Rd. for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Old Bluff Rd. and travel 0.6 miles. At the large park entrance sign, turn left onto the park entrance road and proceed one mile to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Parking lots will be on the right.

From St. Matthews / Hwy 601

Follow Hwy 601 North to the intersection with Bluff Road (SC Hwy 48). Turn left onto Bluff Road. Follow Bluff Road for 11 miles, until you see the brown and white Congaree National Park directional sign. Immediately after the sign, turn left onto Mt. View Road. Follow Mt. View Rd. for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Old Bluff Rd. and travel 0.6 miles. At the large park entrance sign, turn left onto the park entrance road and proceed one mile to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Parking lots will be on the right.

Bus

No public route available.

Public Transportation

Taxi, approximately 20 miles from Columbia.

Getting Around

Hiking on boardwalk and trails. Canoeing and kayaking on Cedar Creek.