Overview

Wet, wild, and awe-inspiring, Congaree National Park preserves 22,200 acres of southern bottomland forest just outside of Columbia, S.C. - the largest tract of old-growth hardwoods in North America. Located in the floodplain of the Congaree and Wateree rivers, the park is known for its outsized trees - loblolly pines, oaks, cypress, hickory, tupelo, and bald cypress - that form one of the highest canopies in the world. More than half of the park is designated wilderness. Part of what makes the park unique is its natural propensity for flooding, meaning that it can be inaccessible at times. The park's Boardwalk Loop Trail, beginning at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, features 2.4 miles of boardwalk and ground trails and is normally open even during floods. The longer River Trail and Kingsnake Trail bring you deeper into the primordial forest; better yet, explore the park by boat by canoeing or kayaking along Cedar Creek (guided tours also are available along the park's canoe trail). Established: Nov. 10, 2003 Area: 26,545.86 acres Website: [www.nps.gov/cong](http://www.nps.gov/cong)