Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park is located smack-dab in the middle of South Carolina. It was established in 2003 and is the only national park in the state. The park features the largest intact tract of old-growth river swamp hardwood forest remaining in the US. It is located in South Carolina and is one of the least-visited national parks in the country.
Congaree National Park is also an important cultural resource to the area, and it’s native people. It was once home to the Congaree, a Native American tribe. Today, the park provides opportunities for visitors to learn about the area’s cultural heritage through interpretive programs and special events.
VISIT Congaree National Park:
Park Details
Congaree National Park was established in .
| Address | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 803-776-4396 |
| Hours | Open 24 hours a day year-round |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
When to Visit: Weather vs. Peak Visitation
Congaree National Park is in a humid subtropical climate, and experiences hot summers and mild winters.
In the summer months of June through August, temperatures typically range from the mid-80s to low 90s Fahrenheit during the day, with high humidity levels. Summer is also the wettest season, with frequent thunderstorms and occasional hurricanes possible.
In the fall months of September through November, temperatures typically cool down to the mid-60s to low 70s Fahrenheit during the day, with lower humidity levels and less precipitation.
In the winter months of December through February, temperatures typically range from the mid-40s to mid-50s Fahrenheit during the day, with occasional cold snaps and light precipitation. This is a quiet and peaceful time in the park, with fewer visitors.
In the spring months of March through May, temperatures warm up again, typically ranging from the mid-60s to mid-70s Fahrenheit during the day, with increasing humidity levels and occasional showers. This is a popular time for visitors to witness the blooming of wildflowers and the return of migratory birds.
Using Historical Data to Predict
We crunched 30 years of historical weather and/or park service data to find the best months to visit Congaree National Park. We looked for the optimal temperatures, the least amount of snow and rain, and stayed away from peak visitation months if we could help it. All this data then helped us paint a picture as to what the absolute best time to visit Congaree National Park is.
Our data shows the best months to visit Congaree National Park are November, April, May & October.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Visits | 14,159 | 14,064 | 22,219 | 20,036 | 24,978 | 18,298 | 16,936 | 12,334 | 17,309 | 19,682 | 17,860 | 17,306 |
| Precipitation | 86 | 84 | 87 | 57 | 56 | 64 | 71 | 75 | 62 | 58 | 55 | 73 |
| Avg Temp | 57 | 60 | 67 | 74 | 81 | 87 | 89 | 88 | 83 | 75 | 67 | 59 |
| Max Temp | 73 | 75 | 80 | 86 | 91 | 96 | 98 | 97 | 92 | 86 | 79 | 74 |
| Avg Temp | 39 | 41 | 46 | 52 | 61 | 68 | 72 | 71 | 65 | 56 | 47 | 41 |
| Min Temp | 24 | 26 | 29 | 35 | 47 | 58 | 65 | 62 | 52 | 38 | 30 | 27 |
Congaree National Park Road Trips
Many family vacations consist of stringing one or more national parks together during a week-long trip. Creating these types of trips is our specialty! Here are the road trips we've created where Congaree National Park is visited.
| Trip Name | Trip Miles | Trip Days |
|---|---|---|
| Congaree National Park & Hilton Head Beach | 291 | 7 |
Other Nearby National Park Sites
From national monuments, to historic sites to seashores and more, here are the other parks closest to Congaree National Park.