The National Park Service calls Congaree National Park in South Carolina “Home of Champions”- champion trees, that is.

According to park staff:

Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old- growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers sweep through the floodplain, carrying nutrients and sediments that nourish and rejuvenate this ecosystem and support the growth of national and state champion trees.

Just what is a champion tree? This is a designation given to the largest specimen of a specific tree species, either locally, regionally, or nationally. These trees are often the tallest or have the largest trunk girth, crown spread, or other characteristics that make them stand out within their species. At Congaree, you can find a champion swamp tupelo, loblolly pine, sweetgum, and American elm, to name but a few.

As mentioned earlier, Congaree is a biodiverse park, with a species checklist cataloging 39 mammals species, 200 bird species, 50 reptile species, 43 amphibian species, and 65 fish species in addition to over 800 plant species. Some species live in the park, some migrate through, some are native, some are uncommon or rare, and some are invasive, like the wild pig. So pack your binoculars and camera for a little wildlife viewing.

Congaree National Park is also part of a voluntary, collaborative partnership framework called the Congaree Biosphere Region (CBR), designated by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). The CBR mission is to “foster a future that celebrates, values, and sustains the rich natural and cultural legacies of the SC Midlands in concert with opportunities to promote healthy, vibrant, and prosperous communities.” 

Just 25 minutes away from Columbia, South Carolina, Congaree offers a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking to paddling to fishing. Trails range from a little over a half mile (0.97 kilometer) roundtrip to more than 12 miles (19.3 kilometers) roundtrip with various difficulty ratings. If you really feel like getting away from it all, you can explore the park’s 21,700 acres of designated wilderness by foot, canoe, or kayak.

The Congaree River meanders all along the park’s southern border to create the 50-mile designated recreational paddling trail known as the Congaree River Blue Trail, while various creeks, lakes, and “guts” (narrow channels or straits) vein the entire park interior, providing opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.

Speaking of fishing, all you need is a rod, reel, and valid South Carolina fishing license to test your angling skills for such commonly-caught fish as catfish, largemouth bass, striped bass, bream, and bluegill, to name a few.

If you prefer a slower pace while learning about the park, then perhaps you’d enjoy a ranger- or volunteer-guided program offered throughout the year (as staffing permits) where you can learn about the park’s history, features, and wildlife. Sometimes guided canoe tours are offered as well.

Named for the Congaree people who once lived within what are now the boundaries of this national park, this place protects the nation's largest remaining tract of southern old-growth bottomland forest in the United States as well as the 10,000 years of human history in the area. The promise of rich farmland on the floodplain between the Congaree and Wateree rivers lured settlers in the 1700s, who built plantations, roads, and ferries. The lush, jungle-like wilderness served as a refuge for enslaved people escaping oppressive lives. Loggers cut many of the champion trees for which this park is so well-known. It wasn’t until Harry Hampton, local newspaper editor and descendent of one of the old South Carolina families, spent time exploring the Congaree floodplain that this man realized this unique landscape and environment was worth saving from further industrialization. Waging a one-man campaign to save the forest, Hampton was unsuccessful in his efforts but did not go unnoticed by others. These men and women who saw the Congaree landscape for themselves continued Harry’s campaign and in 1976, Congaree Swamp National Monument was designated and in 2003 was established as a national park.

Feel like pitching a tent beneath the stars and surrounded by those big trees? The park offers two walk-in campgrounds. Time your night stay just right between mid-May and mid-June and you’ll be able to view the display of synchronous flashing while the fireflies search for a mate (you’ll need a pass for that event which is obtainable by lottery entry in early April through recreation.gov).

For a change of scenery and a side trip or two to learn more South Carolina history, Congaree is within a 2-hour drive of several historic sites and historical parks, including Cowpens National Battlefield, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.

Congaree National Park visitation numbers range between 200,000 – 250,000 annually, which means you have a little breathing room and plenty of solitude within which to enjoy all the park offers.

Traveler’s Choice For: Birding, botany, solitude, paddling