What could be more enchanting than strolling through a centuries-old forest and alongside massive trees with lush surroundings? A trip to Congaree National Forest is right out of a storybook and you’ll want to visit – again and again.

A visit to the ancient forest delivers huge returns by way of the miles and miles of trails. Some are on elevated boardwalks, some on earthen paths, and others are water trails for canoes and kayaks.
TripAdvisor/AppalachianWanderers
An adventure in to the park in the springtime delivers additional rewards with a beautiful carpet of wildflowers.
TripAdvisor/S2sailor
But trees and flowers aren't the only magical living things you'll find in this forest.
TripAdvisor/TT-Traveller
If you know where to look, you'll spot many surprises as you wander along the paths.
Flickr/Hunter Desportes
EVEN surprises you wouldn't naturally expect!
Flickr/ Duane Burdick
To be exact, the park has 23.9 miles of hiking trails and an additional 20 miles of water trails. So you can spend an entire day here in the enchanted forest.
TripAdvisor/AppalachianWanderers
Along the way, you'll not only spot things that are larger than you'd expect, but you'll also find some oddly shaped trees.
TripAdvisor/TomBrody

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No one knows exactly why the trees in the Congaree National Forest get such weird shapes...
TripAdvisor/TomBrody
but some of them are downright bizarre.
TripAdvisor/TomBrody
And other trees... are just enormous!
TripAdvisor/travelgirl88
Like this one! It's been said that Congaree National Park, acre-for-acre, has more record trees than anywhere else in the country.
Flickr/ Miguel Vieira
One of the biggest trees in the park is a Loblolly Pine, measuring 167 feet!
Flickr/ Miguel Vieira
Indeed, everything seems to grow bigger in the swamp. So much so, that you may spend as much of your visit looking up to the sky, as you do looking down and all around!
TripAdvisor/okeedoke
The best part?? Congaree National Park is free. There is no fee for entry to the park. If you plan to camp, it's $10 per night for a regular primitive campsite.
TripAdvisor/jim521r

Visit this ancient forest seven days a week, except for federal holidays. The gates are open to visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Congaree National Forest is located at 100 National Park Rd., Hopkins, SC 29061. Find out more on the national park website.

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