There is no in-park lodging available at Congaree National Park in South Carolina, but there are a couple of frontcountry campgrounds for tent campers.
The nearest lodging accommodations may be found in Columbia, South Carolina, about 20 minutes away from the park.
Frontcountry Camping
While Congaree offers two frontcountry campgrounds, you cannot drive in to them but must walk to a campsite. Those driving an RV or towing a trailer will need to look for sites within nearby area state parks and private campgrounds.
A tent site at Longleaf Campground, Congaree National Park / NPS file
Open year-round and reservable through recreation.gov, Longleaf Campground offers 14 tent-only campsites. Ten sites are for individual tents and four sites are for groups between 9-24 campers. Campsite #1 is designated for those with accessibility needs. Vehicles must be parked in the nearby gravel lot and campers must walk in to their sites. Standard campsites are $15 per night and group sites are $25 per night. Each campsite has a firepit and picnic table. Vault toilets, trash, and cell reception are available year-round.
Open year-round, Bluff Campground is a hike-in campground located at the intersection of the Bluff and Firefly Trails, approximately one mile (1.62 kilometers) from both the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and the Longleaf Campground. It is surrounded by a mixed pine/hardwood upland forest. This campground is located at a higher elevation than the floodplain and is not subject to the flooding events that occur regularly in other parts of the park. The campground is an unpaved grassy field and sites are unimproved, with no water, restrooms, power sources, or ADA-accessible sites, although the park notes wheelchairs that are designed for off-road rough terrain will be able to handle the trails to and from this campground and the campground itself. There are six sites total that can accommodate one to eight campers and three tents. Each site is $10 per night and has a fire pit and picnic table. There is year-round cell phone reception. No trash or recycling available, so this is a pack it in/pack it out campground.
Backcountry Camping
If you really feel like getting away from the fray, there are over 21,000 acres of backcountry wilderness to explore at Congaree National Park, reachable by foot, canoe, or kayak. Backcountry camping requires a permit, which is free and must be requested at least 72 hours in advance of your trip (any requests less than 72 hours in advance will not be considered).
According to park staff, there are a few things you should know in anticipation of a backcountry trip:
- All land on the left bank of Cedar Creek between Bannister Bridge Canoe Access and Cedar Creek Canoe Access that is within the park boundary is designated as frontcountry. Camping in the frontcountry is limited to the Longleaf and Bluff Campgrounds only. All other sections of the park are designated as backcountry.
- Camping in the backcountry requires a free permit. Please call (803) 776-4396 or email [email protected] for more information on obtaining a backcountry camping permit.
- There are no designated campsites in the backcountry. Campers may select any suitable place, as long as they remain 100 feet (30.5 meter) away from Cedar Creek, Tom's Creek, Bates Old River, and Wise Lake. It is advisable to check the river forecast prior to your visit to ensure that a rise in water levels is not forecast.
- Selected campsites are limited to 6 campers and 3 structures per site and must be no closer than 300 feet (91.4 meters) from the next closest site. Hammocks are not considered as structures, but the 6-person limit per site remains.
- Open fires are not permitted in the backcountry. Campers are permitted the use of a backpacking stove for cooking.
- Please follow the principles of Leave No Trace and make sure to pack all trash, equipment, and personal belongings out with you at the end of your stay.
- The Ten Essentials
