The best camping near Congaree National Park

Biodiversity buzzes at Congaree National Park, from the murky waters full of wildlife to the canopies of the old growth bottomland hardwood forest. Bulging bald cypress trees stand guard in the Broadwater Swamp. This unique habitat, home to several of the tallest trees in the Eastern U.S., can be explored by land or by water, with the Congaree River Blue Trail providing a 50-mile waterway through the park and beyond and the Creek Canoe Trail snaking through the forestlands. Two developed campgrounds offer tent campsites, and backcountry camping is allowed. With its location just 20 miles outside of Columbia, South Carolina, RV parks with full hookups can also be found in the region, as well as several state parks with partial hookups.

• Best for groups: Long Leaf Campground has 4 group camping sites.
• Best for amenities: Long Leaf Campground has more accessible amenities due to its location near the visitor center. Sites are easier to reach.
• Best for walk-in camping: Branch Campground’s walk-in sites are a mile into the Bluff Trail.
• Best for serenity: The park’s backcountry camping allows for hike-in and paddle-in camping off the beaten path.

• Reservations are required to camp in Longleaf and Bluff Campgrounds. 
• Reservations may be made on the Recreation.gov website on a 6-month rolling basis.
• All campsites are walk-in only. RV and car camping are not allowed.
• Restrooms with flush toilets and showers are not available at either developed campground. Longleaf Campground has two vault toilets.
• Potable water is found at the visitor center and a spigot in Long Leaf Campground.
• Campsites with partial hookups may be found at Poinsett State Park, Sesquicentennial State Park, and Santee State Parks.

Fall and spring provide pleasant camping weather, with warm sunny days and cooler evenings. Summer temperatures can easily top 90 degrees, and humidity is high. Summer is also the rainiest season, and campers may encounter more bugs. Winter weather generally stays above freezing, though campers may encounter temperatures below freezing on occasion. May is a busy season in the park due to the arrival of the synchronous fireflies.

• Synchronous fireflies may be viewed in the park during several weeks in May. The park hosts a viewing lottery in April for permits to enter the park during this popular event. 
• Tickets for ranger-guided canoe tours may also be booked in advance online.
• Congaree National Park has been named a UNESCO biosphere reserve, which recognizes the park’s unique habitat and biodiversity.