Congaree National Park was established by an act of Congress on November 10, 2003. It is the seventh smallest national park with an authorized size of 27,276 acres. Located less than twenty miles southeast of Columbia, South Carolina, the park is relatively easy to visit by driving. To reach the park from exit 5 on Interstate-77, turn east on South Carolina route 48 and drive 8.1 miles before veering right onto Old Bluff Road. Continue on Old Bluff Road for 4.4 miles and then turn right onto National Park Road. Drive 1.2 miles to the visitor center parking lot. The paved lot has designated spaces for four handicap-placarded vehicles, 8 RVs, and 66 standard-sized passenger vehicles.
The visitor center has the usual amenities including an information desk, exhibits, a bookstore, and a theater/auditorium. Most of the visitor center, including the exhibit area and auditorium, remain closed due to COVID-19 protocols. We visited the park in early November 2021. You can read about our previous visit in April 2012
here.
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| The pathway from the parking lot to the visitor center |
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| Harry Hampton was one of the key people in the creation of the park |
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| Rustic exterior |
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| Exhibits |
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| Bookstore |
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| Junior Ranger vests in several colors |
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| Some of the "COVID protocol" bookstore |
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| Coffee mugs and a bird exhibit |
There is no entrance fee at Congaree National Park.
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