Congaree Swamp
National Monument

VISITATION:

Highest in March, April, May, September, October, November; lowest in mid-summer and mid-winter.

 

ADDRESS:

Superintendent
Congaree Swamp National Monument
200 Caroline Sims Road
Hopkins, SC 29061

 

TELEPHONE:

(803) 776-4396 or fax (803) 783-4241.

 

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Daily, dawn till dusk. Ranger Station open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; daily, except Christmas Day.

 

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Mild winters. Hot, humid summers. Wear comfortable sportswear in season with walking shoes and long pants.

 

DIRECTIONS:

From I-20, take I-26 towards Charleston, go left on exit 116, cross the Congaree River, take your first right onto S.C. Highway 48, (Bluff Road) and follow the signs.

 

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: access by interstates I-20, I-26, I-77 and S.C. Highway 48 (Bluff Road).
In Park: personal vehicle, walking, wheelchair, kayak or canoe.

 

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

No admission fee. Donations accepted at ranger station.

 

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:

Information desk, exhibits and bookstore located at ranger station.

 

Trails, Roads:

Over 25 miles of hiking trails. A two mile boardwalk trail, accessible to persons in wheelchairs.

 

Programs/Activities:

Regularly scheduled ranger-led guided walks, school tours, owl- prowls and canoe trips.

 

Lodging and camping facilities:

Primitive camping with free permit from ranger station. No facilities.

 

Food/supplies:

Groceries and fast-food store five miles away in Gadsden. Drink machine at ranger station.

 

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

Picnic tables available on a first come, first served basis.

 

Accessibility:

Ranger station and public rest rooms are wheelchair accessible.

 

Special Needs:

Need to bring insect repellent. Long pants recommended.

 

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Hiking trails and boardwalks, canoeing and kayaking, picnicking, camping and fishing.

For information on archeology, visit SEAC

 

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Reservations for any guided program should be made two weeks in advance. During spring and fall seasons, reservations should be made six weeks in advance. Camping permits are required. South Carolina fishing licenses are required.

 

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Stay two to four hours. For longer trails, plan for an eight hour trip. Canoeists should plan for a four hour trip.

 

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Owl prowls Friday evenings in spring and fall seasons. Harry Hampton Memorial Walk in November; special spring walks and wild flower walks. American Rivers month programs; National Park Service Week events and River Sweep activities.

NatureFest, an annual event is held at the Congaree Swamp National Monument every spring. Local Speakers and naturalists present programs on a wide variety of topics.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Information on park flooding conditions is provided at the ranger station.

 

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

In Columbia, Riverbanks Zoo and South Carolina State Museum are popular sites.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Write to Superintendent, Congaree Swamp National Monument, Caroline Sims Road, Hopkins, SC 29061 or call (803) 776-4396.

 

______________________________