Congaree Swamp National Park

A visitor's guide to the Friendly Midway, Columbia, SC, an area Where Friendliness Flows

Just 20 miles from midtown Columbia, along the Congaree River, lies the Congaree Swamp National Park, a world of giant trees exceeding 160 feet in height, primeval forests, diverse plant and animal life, and tranquility. This 22,000 acre park is the home of the largest intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the United States.

Today, Congaree Swamp National Park is a sanctuary for plants and animals, a research site for scientists, and a place to walk and relax among towering trees.

It's among the most diverse forests in North America, with 22 different ecosystems within the park. There are over 75 species of trees, more than 170 bird species, 53 reptile and amphibian species, and 49 fish species.

Established as a National Monument in 1976, the park was recently designated as a National Park.

The visitor center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except on December 25. Stop in for a free camping permit, trail maps, information, exhibits, and short video presentations in the theater.

For more information, go to the Congaree Swamp National Park website, www.nps.gov/cosw.

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