{"id":"nps-cong","slug":"congaree-national-park","name":"Congaree National Park","designation":"National Park","category":"national-park","categoryLabel":"National Park","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"CONG","designation":"National Park","sourceId":"nps-cong"}],"states":["SC"],"stateNames":["South Carolina"],"location":{"lat":33.79187523,"lon":-80.74867805},"bbox":[-80.8689,33.7438,-80.6014,33.8443],"acres":{"value":27224,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":{"date":"1976-10-18","designation":null,"name":null,"text":"Authorized Oct. 18, 1976 as Congaree Swamp National Monument","authority":{"type":"act-of-congress","signedBy":"Gerald R. Ford","administration":"Gerald R. Ford","citation":null},"reviewed":true},"established":{"date":"2003-11-10","designation":"National Park","name":null,"text":"Redesignated Nov. 10, 2003","authority":{"type":"unspecified","signedBy":null,"administration":"George W. Bush","citation":null},"reviewed":true},"administrations":["Gerald R. Ford","George W. Bush"],"designationHistory":[{"date":"1976-10-18","action":"established","designation":null,"name":null,"indexText":"Authorized Oct. 18, 1976 as Congaree Swamp National Monument","authority":{"type":"act-of-congress","signedBy":"Gerald R. Ford","administration":"Gerald R. Ford","citation":null},"note":null,"sources":[{"name":"The National Parks: Index 2012–2016 (National Park Service), PDF page 94","url":"https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/upload/npindex2012-2016.pdf"},{"name":"90 Stat. 2517 (Statutes at Large, govinfo): Congaree Swamp National Monument act, Oct. 18, 1976","url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-90/pdf/STATUTE-90-Pg2517.pdf"},{"name":"American Presidency Project: Ford statement (note: approved Oct. 18, 1976, P.L. 94-545)","url":"https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-signing-the-bill-designating-forest-acreage-the-congaree-swamp-national-monument"}],"research":"nps-index-2012-2016","reviewed":true,"review":{"verdict":"confirmed","note":"Act of Congress, Ford.","by":"HistorianPanel accuracy review, batch 1","date":"2026-11-09"}},{"date":"2003-11-10","action":"redesignated","designation":null,"name":null,"indexText":"Redesignated Nov. 10, 2003","authority":{"type":"unspecified","signedBy":null,"administration":"George W. Bush","citation":null},"note":null,"sources":[{"name":"The National Parks: Index 2012–2016 (National Park Service), PDF page 94","url":"https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/upload/npindex2012-2016.pdf"},{"name":"P.L. 108-108, sec. 135 (govinfo), approved Nov. 10, 2003","url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-108publ108/html/PLAW-108publ108.htm"}],"research":"nps-index-2012-2016","reviewed":true,"review":{"verdict":"confirmed","note":"Redesignated by FY2004 Interior Appropriations Act, sec. 135. Signed by G.W. Bush.","by":"HistorianPanel accuracy review, batch 1","date":"2026-11-09"}}],"summary":"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.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=33.8443&b_tl_lng=-80.8689&b_br_lat=33.7438&b_br_lng=-80.6014","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Congaree%20National%20Park","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"cover":{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/1E4A1941-EF4F-C617-E6E802845527D9B9.jpg","title":"Floodplain Forest","alt":"A view of a bottomland/floodplain forest, with wide based cypress and tupelo trees, cypress knees","credit":"NPS Photo","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm","tier":1,"source":"National Park Service"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/1E4A1941-EF4F-C617-E6E802845527D9B9.jpg","title":"Floodplain Forest","alt":"A view of a bottomland/floodplain forest, with wide based cypress and tupelo trees, cypress knees","credit":"NPS Photo","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm","source":"National Park Service","cover":true},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/54922A45-987E-B325-F2FB1725D5303BBA.jpg","title":"Barred Owl on Harry Hampton Visitor Center Roof","alt":"An owl perched on a wooden building","caption":"A barred owl perched on the Harry Hampton Visitor Center roof at Congaree National Park","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C862C60-1DD8-B71B-0BB65F7B652BA840.jpg","title":"Congaree River","alt":"View of the Congaree River during the Fall","caption":"View of the Congaree River during the Fall","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/54E0D8B1-B893-2056-1DEEF741AEAC3F52.jpg","title":"Canoeing Cedar Creek","alt":"Two people in a canoe on a narrow creek surrounded by forest","caption":"Two people canoeing on Cedar Creek within Congaree National Park","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/1E585A90-E69A-91CF-E766E47D418A6DFF.jpg","title":"Loblolly Pine","alt":"A very large tree surrounded by smaller trees in a forest","caption":"A former Champion loblolly pine, more than 250 years old, just off the Boardwalk Trail","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Camping","Backcountry Camping","Canoe or Kayak Camping","Car or Front Country Camping","Group Camping","Fishing","Freshwater Fishing","Food","Picnicking","Guided Tours","Self-Guided Tours - Walking","Hands-On","Citizen Science","Volunteer Vacation","Hiking","Backcountry Hiking","Front-Country Hiking","Off-Trail Permitted Hiking","Paddling","Canoeing","Canoe or Kayak Camping","Kayaking","Junior Ranger Program","Museum Exhibits","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["African American Heritage","American Revolution","Archeology","Arts","Painting","Photography","Poetry and Literature","Colonization and Settlement","Enslavement","Explorers and Expeditions","Farming and Agriculture","Hispanic American Heritage","Incarceration","Industry","Logging and Timber Cutting","Native American Heritage","Reconstruction","Religion and Spirituality","Schools and Education","Science, Technology and Innovation","Social Movements","Conservation Movement","Transportation","Bridges","Roads, Routes and Highways","Wars and Conflicts","Colonial/European Contact Conflicts","American Revolutionary War","Civil War","Animals","Alligators or Crocodiles","Birds","Cats (wild)","Fish","Tortoises and Turtles","Climate Change","Forests and Woodlands","Geology","Groundwater","Lakes","Natural Sounds","Night Sky","Astronomy","River and Riparian","Scenic Views","Trails","Water Trails","Unique Species","Rare","Endangered","Watersheds","Wetlands","Swamps","Wilderness"],"fees":[],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Congaree Operating Hours (Not Visitor Center Hours)","description":"Congaree National Park is generally open 24 hours a day year-round. For visitor and staff safety, park operations and/or weather conditions may occasionally result in short term, temporary closures. Please review the park webpage and social media platforms for more information. \n\nThe Harry Hampton Visitor Center is open 9-5, daily. It is closed New Year's Day, President's Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Please check alerts prior to your visit.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"From Interstate 77, Exit 5 At Exit 5 turn onto SC Hwy 48 East/Bluff Road. Following the brown and white \"Congaree National Park\" directional signs, travel approximately 8 miles on and then take a slight right onto Old Bluff Road. Follow Old Bluff Road for 4.5 miles to the park entrance sign, which will be on the right. Proceed one mile to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Parking lots will be on the right.","weatherInfo":"Check the forecast before getting on the road. Conditions can change rapidly within the park. Flooding can happen with little or no warning, so make sure to check water levels for Cedar Creek and the Congaree River.","contacts":{"phone":"8037764396","email":"cong_information@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Harry Hampton Visitor Center","description":"Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Closed New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Hours may be affected by events, such as the annual Firefly Viewing Event in May, or by resource management activity. Please check park alerts prior to your visit.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/hours.htm","lat":33.8296192003,"lon":-80.8233726996}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"Longleaf Campground","description":"The Longleaf Campground offers walk up campsites for visitors wishing to camp in the frontcountry of Congaree. Campers may park and walk to their site. All campsites have a firepit and picnic table, and the campground has two vault toilets. 10 sites are for individuals or small groups of up to 8 people, while 4 sites are designated for larger groups from 9 to 24 people. The campground is a short drive from the visitor center, where running water is available, as well as park information.","url":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10190876","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10190876","sites":14},{"name":"Bluff Campground","description":"The Bluff Campground is a hike in campground and is perfect for those looking to camp in the frontcountry yet have a more backcountry experience. This campground has 6 sites that can accommodate up to 8 campers each. Each site has a firepit and a picnic table. Restrooms are available at either the visitor center or the Longleaf Campground, and water and park information is available at the visitor center. This is a pack it in/pack it out campground.","url":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10191039","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10191039","sites":6}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"santee-national-wildlife-refuge","km":52},{"slug":"carolina-sandhills-national-wildlife-refuge","km":100},{"slug":"francis-marion-national-forest","km":119},{"slug":"ninety-six-national-historic-site","km":123},{"slug":"ernest-f-hollings-ace-basin-national-wildlife-refuge","km":124},{"slug":"francis-marion-national-wildlife-refuge","km":132}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=cong"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"reviewed","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.610Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Oversized Vehicle Parking Limited","text":"The main parking area at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center has limited parking for larger vehicles. The lot can fill quickly, especially on weekends. If traveling in an RV or larger vehicle, we recommend arriving early in the day. Please be aware, turning around may be challenging when the oversized vehicle parking lot is full. We apologize for any inconvenience.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/directions.htm","updated":"2026-11-07 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-D4A5D5E6-4D5B-4950-BCC4-0B0B707A46E3"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Caution","title":"Bridge K on Kingsnake Trail Out","text":"Bridge K on Kingsnake Trail is currently out, awaiting replacement. Please use extreme caution if going around this bridge, as it crosses a slough. Water here may be 2-3 feet deep, or deeper.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/upload/CONG-Trails-2025.pdf","updated":"2026-10-30 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-C3B9501B-7C16-4E77-B779-8AFCFF6E47A0"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Caution","title":"Paddling Conditions","text":"Trees down across Cedar Creek between Bannister's Bridge and South Cedar Creek may require significant portages depending on water levels & paddlers should plan accordingly. All paddlers should have necessary equipment, including the 10 Essentials.","url":null,"updated":"2026-04-20 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-F0DB9548-4A6F-4D8A-A12F-443FABB37F2F"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Caution","title":"Backcountry Trail Conditions","text":"GPS is necessary on backcountry trails: Oakridge, Boggy Gut (formerly River), and Kingsnake. These trails may be difficult to follow.","url":null,"updated":"2025-11-20 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-E343EE45-583C-42B1-8CB5-2628CECEE4DC"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Planning Ahead for Transportation","text":"If being dropped off at the park, please ensure you will have a return ride. Taxis and rideshares do not often come out to Congaree, and the bus may be unavailable. Please plan ahead.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/directions.htm","updated":"2023-11-08 14:25:04.0","id":"nps-0B19E1AF-B1D5-4318-A25A-49AAEBD15301"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/congaree-national-park/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/congaree-national-park.geojson"}