Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — Congaree National Park
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.
Camping & reservations
The booking button opens the official provider or park-specific camping instructions published by the NPS. Select the named campground and verify its dates, access and site rules.
Bluff Campground ↗
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.
Reservations: All sites are available for reservation. All fees are collected online, and not onsite.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: This campground is not accessible to RVs or vehicles with trailers. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: No Roads.
Fires: Campfires are permitted within firepits only. Campers are responsible to bring water with them to extinguish their fire upon leaving their site at all times.
Longleaf Campground ↗
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.
Reservations: All sites are available for online reservation. Those wishing to camp must reserve a site online. All fees for campsites are collected online, and no fees for campsites are collected on site.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: Visitors with RVs or trailers can park them in the parking lot at the campground. This campground does have limited space and during certain seasons room to park larger vehicles or those towing trailers may be difficult. RVs or vehicles with trailers can be parked overnight in the oversized parking lot at the visitor center, but campers may not stay in their vehicles overnight. RVs parked at the campground can be used for restrooms and cooking during the day. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Campers are responsible for extinguishing their campfires upon leaving or vacating their site. Water is available for extinguishing fires at the visitor center.
Truck-camping & permitted overnight use
The NPS campground guidance does not allow campers to stay overnight in their RVs or vehicles. Longleaf parking has limited large-vehicle space; Bluff Campground is not accessible to RVs or trailers. Plan an authorized tent-camping stay.
Backcountry camping and vehicle camping require park-specific authorization; National Park Service land is not generally open to unrestricted roadside camping. Confirm designated sites, permits and food-storage rules with this unit.
Activities, hiking & trails
Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Hiking, Backcountry Hiking, Front-Country Hiking, Off-Trail Permitted Hiking. Official activities and trail-planning information ↗
NPS-listed recreation: 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.
Maps & road access
Use the official NPS directions and current alerts. Check vehicle restrictions and campground approach roads before traveling.
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. Official directions / site access ↗
Before you travel
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.
Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. National Park Service official information ↗
Photograph sources & licensing
Banner: Floodplain Forest
Cypress trees and knees by Weston Lake
Credit: NPS Photo. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Second large photograph: Congaree River
View of the Congaree River during the Fall
Credit: NPS. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.