Congaree National Park

Map of TRACK Trail at Congaree National Park

The Congaree National Park TRACK Trail is a flat 2.4 mile loop through a floodplain forest on boardwalks. Congaree National Park is home to one of the few old-growth floodplain forests east of the Mississippi River. With trees an average of 130 feet, the forest at Congaree is one of the tallest broad-leaved (or deciduous) forests in North America! Grand bald cypress, water tupelo and loblolly pine trees surround you along this trail.

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.

Track an adventure here
Collectible sticker for Congaree National Park

Location Details

Recreational Features: Canoe / Kayak, Camping, Picnic Tables, Interpretive Programs, Birding
Amenities: Restrooms, Nature Center, Visitor Center
ADA Compliant: Partial
Seasonality: Open all year
Tupelo tree
Tupelo trees and cypress knees growing out of the water
Black beetle
View of up the trunk of a loblolly pine
Needles on a grand bald cypress
Wooden boardwalk through forest
Observation deck overlooking water

Adventures for Congaree National Park

Hiking

Bug Out

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
The "Bug Out" brochure is an investigation into the creepy crawlies of the forest. This adventure will help you learn how to identify the difference between insects, spiders and other arthropods.
Hiking

Nature's Hide & Seek

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
The Nature's Hide & Seek brochure is designed so that kids of all ages can walk along the trail and discover common things that are often overlooked in nature. Some of them are hard to find, others are easy. Best of all, the adventure never ends because every time you walk the trail you will discover new things hiding in nature.
Need for Trees brochure
Hiking

Congaree: Need for Trees

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
By following the picture and textual clues found in "The Need for Trees" brochure, kids will discover six of the more common trees found along the trail. During their adventure, kids will learn about the need that people and other animals have for trees and about the roles trees play in the forest.
Congaree Scavenger Hunt brochure
Hiking

Congaree: Scavenger Hunt

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
History and nature can be found together in Congaree National Park. Follow along the boardwalk and discover just a few stories this unique park has to tell. 

Directions

100 National Park Rd
Hopkins, SC 29061
Latitude: 33.829619500000
Longitude: -80.823375400000

Congaree National Park is located off of Old Bluff Rd in Hopkins, South Carolina. At the large park entrance sign, turn onto the park entrance road and proceed one mile to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center parking lots. For more detailed directions, please visit the park's website.

Partners

The TRACK Trail program is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.

The Congaree National Park TRACK Trail is made possible through a partnership between the National Park Service and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation's Kids in Parks program.