Recently I had the opportunity to visit Congaree national near Columbia South Carolina. Congaree is a 26,276 acre park that preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forrest left in the United States. Though it has been under the supervision of the USFS for decades, it was transferred to the National Park Service in 2003 thus making it one of our newer National Parks.
Congaree offers numerous trails for hiking including backcountry hiking. All of the trails are listed as easy to moderate but the trail that most people take is the Boardwalk Loop Trail. It is rated as easy and allows you to hike a 2.6 mile loop on an elevated platform through this gorgeous old growth forrest. For more information about other trails at Congaree visit https://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/trail-information.htm
There are two campgrounds at Congaree: The Longleafe Campground and the Bluff Campground. Reservations are required and the cost per site is $10.00 for Longleaf tent site and $20.00 for a group site. The Bluff camproung is $5.00 per nite. Both sites are tent/hammock only so if you are planning to camp in an RV, Congaree is not the place for you. For more information about camping at Congaree : https://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/camping.htm
Unfortunately, It was raining the day I visited and I only had half a day to visit this magnificent park so I opted to walk the Boardwalk look trail.
Congaree also offers Ranger guided canoe trips as well as self guided canoe/kayak trips if you decide to bring your own boat. For more information : https://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/canoeing.htm
Congaree is well worth seeing. I only wish I had more time to explore it. If you find yourself near it, stop in, there is no charge and its a great park to explore if for only a little while. If you have been to Congaree, let me know in the comment section.
Find your headwaters,
Jaucque
The Casual Outdoorsman 