Behold the beauty of the wetlands in this National Park. 

Only 30 minutes from Columbia, SC, or 2 hours from Charlotte, NC, Congaree National Park is one to visit. This is the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest. The floodplains of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers carry nutrients and sediment that help rejuvenate and support the growth of the national and state champion trees. The Visitor Center has information on the trails, a rotating exhibit area, restrooms, and a park store. Before heading out on your adventure, stop by the park store to get information on the Junior Ranger Program. At the end of your hike kids can earn a Junior Ranger badge and patch. 

Hiking and Water Trails

There are over 25 miles of hiking as well as canoe/kayak waterway trails, fishing, and camping. The popular trail, Boardwalk Trail Loop, is 2.5 miles of boardwalk that takes you through the wetlands and to Weston Lake. This is a great trail for all ages. The boardwalk is well-maintained and stroller- and wheelchair-friendly. The unfortunate part about this trail is that it can be flooded from heavy rains. The park rangers were very informative if the trail was underwater or not. There are ranger- and volunteer-guided programs on Saturdays year-round. There are marked trails to explore Cedar Creek.

You will need to bring your own gear for this adventure. There are several canoe and kayak rental places in Columbia, SC, that you can grab some equipment from. There are ranger-guided wilderness canoe tours, which are free. These are offered in the spring and fall and require reservations. Book early as these tours fill up quickly and are very popular. Before heading out to visit, check the website or call for updated trail information. 

Camping

There are several ways to camp in the park. There is no RV camping in this National Park, but there are two campgrounds called the Longleaf and Bluff campgrounds. These can be reserved at recreation.gov. These are tents only, and there is a small fee for the reservation of a site. There is also backcountry camping, which is completely free. You need to obtain a permit from the visitor center Monday through Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. 

Lodging and Restaurants in Columbia, SC.

There are many hotels to choose from in and around the city. The big hotels of Hilton, Marriott, and Hampton have locations in the heart of the city. You could also opt to stay at a bed and breakfast. There are many in downtown Columbia such as Chesnut Cottage Bed and Breakfast. This quaint cottage was built in the 1850s and was the home of General James Chesnut, who was a US Senator before the war. Either way you choose, staying downtown in the heart of the city gives you the freedom to walk around and see all the city has to offer. 

When in the South, you need to experience good Southern food. Everyone has their perspective on Southern food, but you can't go wrong with some of these eats. Blue Marlin offers classic Southern seafood made with locally-sourced, sustainable fish.  If Southern food is not your thing, you can try Cola’s Restaurant, which offers eclectic American fare in a former bottling company. If you like BBQ, check out The Southern Belly BBQ for their pulled pork sandwiches and eclectic toppings. 

Congaree National Park is a park worth visiting. Make it a day trip, a weekend, or even a full week adventure; both the park and Columbia, SC have a lot to offer.