Congaree National Park

Big Tree Hike

<p data-key="18"><span data-key="19">Join Volunteer Park Naturalist John Cely for a guided hike to some of the park's big trees! </span></p> <p data-key="20"><span data-key="21"><strong data-slate-leaf="true">* Things To Know *</strong></span></p> <ul data-key="22" data-slate-fragment="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"> <li data-key="23">This hike will last approximately 3 hours. Participants should wear or bring clothing that is appropriate for the day's forecasted conditions and temperature.</li> <li data-key="23">This hike goes off trail and covers up to 5 miles total.</li> </ul>

Congaree National Park

Nature Discovery Walk

<div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql"> <p data-key="16"><span data-key="17">Join volunteer park naturalist for a guided hike on the park's boardwalk trail to learn about the amazing flora and fauna that calls Congaree National Park home!</span></p> <p data-key="18"><span data-key="19"><strong data-slate-leaf="true">* Things To Know *</strong></span></p> <ul data-key="32" data-slate-fragment="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"> <li data-key="28"><span data-key="29">This hike will last approximately 2 hours. Participants should wear or bring clothing that is appropriate for the day's forecasted conditions and temperature. </span></li> </ul> </div>

Congaree National Park

The Other Congaree Forest

<p><strong>Tour meets in the breezeway just outside the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, near the start of the Boardwalk Trail. </strong></p> <p>Congaree National Park is best known for preserving the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States - a forest that thrives on floods. However, there is a small sliver of the park dominated by an entirely different kind of forest - a forest that instead thrives on fire. </p> <p>Join a ranger on a guided hike through the upland pine forest of Congaree to learn about pine ecosystems and how fire may be used as a tool. </p> <p>The tour will cover approximately 1.8 miles. It will begin and end at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center.</p> <p>Participants should bring with them water and appropriate footwear. </p> <p>This tour is weather dependent, and may canceled in the event of heavy rain and/or thunderstorms. </p> <p>Please check all alerts on nps.gov/cong prior to arrival for more information. </p>

Lokalizacja: This tour will meet in the breezeway located at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center

Congaree National Park

The Mythical Creatures of Congaree

<p>This program will cover the folklore behind Congaree's mythical creatures, while also tying in the biology of wildlife related to those cryptids. We'll be learning about local culture and animal biology as we walk 2-3 miles of boardwalk. Hopefully we can even spot some of these mythical beings ourselves...</p> <p>This program meets just outside the Harry Hampton Visitor Center.</p>

Congaree National Park

Forest Wellness - Yoga in the Park

<p>Please join us for our FREE Forest Wellness Program! Relieve the stresses of your everyday life by taking the time to reconnect with nature and your inner forest. Join a certified Yoga instructor and our Volunteers for a 2 mile (round trip) guided walk and Yoga class amidst the tallest loblolly pine trees in South Carolina.</p> <p>Please meet at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. All you need to participate is yourself, a water bottle, tennis shoes, and comfortable clothing. In the event of inclement weather (rain, extreme cold, etc.) this event will be cancelled. </p> <p>Pets are not permitted on this program, service animals are welcome.</p> <p>For questions or more information please call 803-776-4396 or send us an email.</p> <p>Yoga is a system of techniques and guidance for living. One goal or limb of yoga is to make the body active through postures and breathing in order to calm the mind.</p> <p>Health benefits of exercise in nature: • Boosted immune system • Reduced blood pressure • Reduced stress• Improved mood• Increased ability to focus • Increased energy level</p>

Congaree National Park

50th Anniversary Owl Prowl

<p>Since the 1980s, one of the most popular programs offered at Congaree are our Owl Prowls. Owls are viewed by many cultures as creatures of mystery, as they are often heard but seldom seen. One of the park’s iconic wildlife residents and featured on the park’s logo, Barred Owls are the most commonly seen of the 3 owl species that can be found in the park. Join us for a guided evening hike to look for and learn about these nocturnal natives and their unique adaptations that allow them to hunt and be active after dark.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Things to Know<br /></strong>-<strong> </strong>Registration is required for this program. Registration for this guided hike will be available beginning two weeks prior to the program date.<strong><br /></strong>- This hike will last approximately 1 1/2 hours and will take place primarily on the Boardwalk Trail<br />- Participants should wear or bring clothing appropriate for the day’s forecasted conditions and temperature<br />- Sturdy, closed-toe footwear, such as hiking boots are recommended<br />- Pets are not permitted on this program. Service animals are welcome. <br />- Participants should bring water<br />- Participants may bring a flashlight with a red-mode for use after dark; Red-light flashlights will be available to borrow for the program</p>

Lokalizacja: This program will begin and end at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and will take place primarily on the Boardwalk Trail.

Congaree National Park

Celebrating Congaree National Park's 50th Anniversary

<p>Congaree National Park is turning 50! Join the park on the weekend of October 17-18, 2026 to celebrate 50 years of Congaree National Park and learn more about the "Green Heart of South Carolina, including the efforts of local conservationists to establish the park in the 1970s, how the park has evolved over the past half-century, protecting the natural and cultural resources of the largest remaining old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. </p> <p>Over the weekend, numerous opportunities will be available for park visitors to learn about the establishment and history of the park through interpretive ranger talks, guided hikes, and the Voices of Congaree series, featuring speakers presenting talks about the legacy and history of the park. A schedule of events is listed below, and more detailed descriptions and locations where each will be taking place will be available on the event listings for each event. </p> <p><strong><em>Saturday, October 17</em></strong><strong><em><br /></em></strong><strong>  9:30</strong> - Ranger Talk - Congaree Action Now! The Effort to Preserve the Green Heart of South Carolina<br /><strong>10:00</strong> - Congaree National Park 50 for 50 BioBlitz<br /><strong>11:00</strong> - Ranger Talk - The Green Heart of South Carolina: Congaree National Park at 50<br /><strong>11:30</strong> - Voices of Congaree Speaker Series<br />  <strong>1:00</strong> - Carolina Wildlife Center <br />  <strong>2:00</strong> - Ranger Talk- Tall &amp; Stately as the Trees: Congaree &amp; the Enduring Legacy of Harry Hampton<br />  <strong>2:30</strong> - Voices of Congaree Speaker Series<br />  <strong>3:30</strong> - Ranger Talk - The Green Heart of South Carolina: Congaree National Park at 50<br />  <strong>5:45</strong> - Owl Prowl (sign-up required)<br /><br /><em><strong>Sunday, October 18</strong></em><br />  <strong>9:00</strong> - 50th Anniversary Big Tree Hike with John Cely (sign-up required)<br />  <strong>9:30</strong> - Ranger Talk - Congaree Action Now! The Effort to Preserve the Green Heart of South Carolina<br /><strong>11:00</strong> - Ranger Talk - The Green Heart of South Carolina: Congaree National Park at 50<br /><strong>12:15</strong> - Celebrating of Congaree National Park's 50th Anniversary<br /><strong>12:45</strong> - Voices of Congaree Speaker Series<br /><strong>  2:00</strong> - Ranger Talk- Tall &amp; Stately as the Trees: Congaree &amp; the Enduring Legacy of Harry Hampton<br />  <strong>2:00</strong> - Riverbanks Zoo<br />  <strong>3</strong><strong>:00</strong> - Voices of Congaree Speaker Series<br />  <strong>3:30</strong> - Ranger Talk - Congaree Action Now! The Effort to Preserve the Green Heart of South Carolina<br /><br /><br /></p>

Congaree National Park

Congaree Action Now! The Effort to Preserve the Green Heart of South Carolina

<p>Beginning in 1970 local citizens who had come to know and care about the old-growth forest in the bottomlands along the Congaree River, then known as the Beidler Tract, grew concerned about its long-term survival if it was not protected. Formed in 1974, the Congaree Swamp National Preserve Association, with support from conservation organizations like the Sierra Club and Audubon Society, began an advocacy campaign calling for the preservation of the largest remaining tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. Join a park ranger for an interpretive talk on how the efforts of local citizens was able to attract nationwide attention and lead to the establishment of the park on October 18, 1976.</p>

Congaree National Park

Tall and Stately as the Trees: Congaree and the Lasting Legacy of Harry Hampton

<p>Local journalist and conservationist Harry Hampton spent a great deal of time exploring the old-growth forest in the bottomlands along the Congaree River and became enthralled with the majesty of a landscape unlike any other he had experienced. Beginning in the 1950s, Hampton began actively advocating for the preservation of the landscape that is today Congaree National Park, while using his platform as a journalist to help introduce others to a place he saw as worth protecting. His efforts in the 1950s and 1960s would help to inspire the advocacy campaign in the 1970s that would result in the establishment of the park in 1976. Join a park ranger for this 30 minute interpretive talk on the legacy of the man who helped to spark a movement and is today the namesake of the park visitor center.</p>

Congaree National Park

The Green Heart of South Carolina: Congaree National Park at 50

<p>The establishment on October 18, 1976, of Congaree Swamp National Monument, began a 50-year legacy of protecting one of the most unique and diverse natural landscapes in the nation for present and future generations to experience and enjoy the Green Heart of South Carolina. From the arrival of the first staff in the early 1980s to today, the park has grown over the past half-century, both in size and visibility. Join a park ranger for an interpretive talk to highlight some of the key moments of park history over the past 50 years. From the opening of the first visitor center in 1985 and the designation of Wilderness in 1988, to the opening of the Harry Hampton Visitor Center in 2001 and the park’s redesignation in 2003, learn about how the park has grown over the years!</p>

Congaree National Park

The Green Heart of South Carolina: Congaree National Park at 50

<p>The establishment on October 18, 1976, of Congaree Swamp National Monument, began a 50-year legacy of protecting one of the most unique and diverse natural landscapes in the nation for present and future generations to experience and enjoy the Green Heart of South Carolina. From the arrival of the first staff in the early 1980s to today, the park has grown over the past half-century, both in size and visibility. Join a park ranger for an interpretive talk to highlight some of the key moments of park history over the past 50 years. From the opening of the first visitor center in 1985 and the designation of Wilderness in 1988, to the opening of the Harry Hampton Visitor Center in 2001 and the park’s redesignation in 2003, learn about how the park has grown over the years!</p>

Congaree National Park

50th Anniversary Big Tree Hike with John Cely

<p>On the occasion of the 50^th Anniversary of the park’s establishment, join John Cely, park volunteer and one of the original advocates for the preservation of this landscape, on a guided hike to see some of the park’s champion-sized trees and experience why he and others were so determined to see this place protected.<br /> <br /><strong>Things to Know<br /></strong>- Registration is required for this program. Registration for this guided hike will be available beginning two weeks prior to the program date.<br />- This hike will start and end at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center<br />- This hike will last approximately 3 hours<br />- This hike will go off trail and cover up to 5 miles total and will take place in wilderness. <br />- Participants should wear clothing appropriate for the day's forecasted conditions and temperature<br />- Sturdy, closed-toed footwear, such as hiking boots, is highly recommended<br />- Participants should bring water</p>

Congaree National Park

Congaree Action Now! The Effort to Preserve the Green Heart of South Carolina

<p>Beginning in 1970 local citizens who had come to know and care about the old-growth forest in the bottomlands along the Congaree River, then known as the Beidler Tract, grew concerned about its long-term survival if it was not protected. Formed in 1974, the Congaree Swamp National Preserve Association, with support from conservation organizations like the Sierra Club and Audubon Society, began an advocacy campaign calling for the preservation of the largest remaining tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. Join a park ranger for an interpretive talk on how the efforts of local citizens was able to attract nationwide attention and lead to the establishment of the park on October 18, 1976.</p>

Congaree National Park

Fall Forest Wellness Journaling

<p>Join us for our FREE Forest Wellness Program! Relieve the stresses of your everyday life by taking the time to reconnect with nature. The program will include a 2 mile (round trip) meditative walk and a journaling workshop. In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to participate in mindful reflection, meditation, and journaling in the park with author and writing coach, Cassie Premo Steele.</p> <p>No previous experience is necessary, and all writing will be kept private. Paper and pens will be provided.Please meet at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. All you need to participate is yourself, a water bottle, tennis shoes, and comfortable clothing. Space is limited, so please sign up ahead of time.For questions or more information please email cong_information@nps.gov</p> <p>Pets are not permitted on this program, service animals are welcome.</p>