South Carolina is home to one of the country’s most hidden national parks. On the whole, the Congaree National Park preserves the largest swatch of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the country. But Congaree is much more than just a forest. It’s also characterized as a swamp… a swamp with enormous old cypress trees. In fact, Congaree’s old growth trees include the largest concentration of champion trees in the world. (Champion trees are labeled as such due to their size and significance.)

And the champion trees are spread out along the sprawling 12 miles of this forested swamp found in the Midlands.
Google Maps
Congaree was designated a National Park back in 2003.
But the trees here began to turn heads long before the official designation. Seen here, an official measures a tree's girth back in 1963, some 40 years before the designation as a national park.
Facebook/Congaree National Park
Today, folks are still wrapping their arms and measuring tapes around the enormous trees found within the park.
Facebook/Congaree National Park
The trees here are special in so many ways. One of them, a loblolly pine, exceeds 167 feet in height! That's the equivalent to a 16-story building!
TripAdvisor/Shari E

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For visitors to Congaree National Park. there are many activities in which to partake to make the most of a visit.
TripAdvisor/Steve5863
The Henry Hallman Visitor center is always a great place to start. Check out exhibits and grab a park map to help with navigation.
AllTrails.com lists nine hiking trails within the national park.
Flickr/Ken Lund
The Boardwalk Loop Trail winds through the forest for two full miles. Keep a keen eye open for wildlife, including gators!
One of the best ways to see the park is via canoe.
TripAdvisor/JK Adventure Guides
Bring your own vessel to explore the water trails, or rent one from vendors listed on the National Park Service website.
There's still another reason to visit Congaree: as the country's most hidden national park, it's also the least visited. It's a rare day to arrive and find a crowd at Congaree.
Google Maps/Bryant Wu
Most of the time you'll feel like you have the park all to yourself.
It's open 24 hours a day. Find it at 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061.
Google Maps (embellished to add state border)

Have you discovered the South Carolina goodness at Congaree National Park yet? Let us know in the comments – and feel free to upload your photos in our South Carolina Nature Lover’s group on Facebook! Learn more about the park from the official website of the National Park Service.

And to find more fun in hidden South Carolina parks: The 13 Secret Parks Of South Carolina You’ve Never Heard Of But Need To Visit!

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Congaree National Park, South Carolina, USA