Last Updated on September 12, 2023 by
Congaree is unusual in that it doesn’t really offer anything different than heading out into the woods. It is a national wilderness area blocked off because it is the largest old growth hardwood forest remaining in the southeast. With that said, it’s an absolutely beautiful day out just a to pick a path, even if it is only the 2 mile boardwalk, and take a stroll through the wilderness.
Congaree National Park Quick Facts
Fees
Entrance Pass – Free
Operating Hours
Current Visitor Center hours are 9 AM – 5 PM
Park Grounds are open 24/7
Closest Towns
Columbia, SC – 18 miles
Charleston, SC – 106 miles
Boston, MA – 929 miles
Annual Visitors
Approximately 200,000
Founded
November 10, 2003
Angela and I have talked about forest bathing in the past, and the opportunity to simply be alone in the woods provides a sense of serenity you just can’t find anywhere else (none that we have found anyway). Anyone who enjoys a good hike can attest to that. Some spaces lend themselves to an innate understanding of the need to take it all in and not interrupt, like cathedrals and cemeteries. This is one of those places. Everyone we came across had that same sense of presence and stopped talking as we approached each other. Respect for each other and your surroundings, hard to argue with that.
Circling back to alone, we actually remembered to bring our binoculars, and while there weren’t many humans, the bird population is abundant. However, based on our success rate at finding them, you would have thought we were alone in the desolate wilderness, and not in an area where several dozen species exist. We tried standing still and searching the trees like birders, or just people with patience, but no luck. I think we both discovered that standing in place craning your neck at the sky is just not our cup of tea. Maybe if I had an actual cup of tea and a recliner birding would be more to my liking. For now, I will content myself with the joy of haphazardly spotting them as we hike and call them out for Angela to identify. All things in moderation.
In addition to 25 miles of hiking trails, Congaree also has a marked canoe that trail invites you to explore Cedar Creek. You have to bring your own kayak, but if we are ever back again, exploring the park by water will be a must.
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