Congaree Swamp National Monument Custom Search The monument rests on a floodplain of the Congaree River and is not a true swamp. This remnant preserves, in a wilderness state, the largest intact tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. The monument was authorized as a unit of the National Park Service on October 18, 1976. Three features give national significance: some of the tallest trees in the East with one of the highest canopies in the world, broad biodiversity, and old-growth forest. The monument is recognized as an International Biosphere Reserve, National Natural Landmark, Wilderness Area, and 'Globally Important Bird Area.'     CONTACTS Email - cosw_information@nps.gov Fax- 803-783-4241 Write to Congaree Swamp National Monument 100 National Park Road Hopkins, SC 29061-9118 Phone Visitor Information - 803-776-4396 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Operating hours 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily except for Christmas Day. Getting There PLANE - Columbia Airport - 30 miles away. CAR - Take exit #5 off I-77. Follow signs to entrance of monument (approximately 15 miles) PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Taxi, approximately 20 miles from Columbia. Weather & Climate Hot, humid summers & cool, mild winters. Pleasant Spring and Fall seasons. Accessibility 2.3 mile boardwalk loop trail is accessible to persons in wheel chairs. Ranger Station and restrooms are accessible to persons in wheel chairs. Getting Around Hiking on boardwalk and trails. Canoeing & kayaking on Cedar Creek. FEES/PERMITS Permits CAMPING PERMIT Free! for 14 Days Free camping permit can be picked up at Ranger Station. CAMPING Backcountry Camping Open All Year Camp in wilderness area of park 100 feet away from backcountry trails and water, 500 feet away from visitor center and boardwalk. Primitive camping-no facilities. Obtain free camping permit at Ranger Station. Bluff Campsite Open All Year Designated Group Camping area. Porta-Johns, fire rings, and picnic tables. Large enough for several large groups. Obtain free camping permit at Ranger Station. FACILITIES Ranger Stations HEADQUARTER'S BUILDING Open All Year 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Phone - 803-776-4396 Location - Monument is located 20 miles southeast of Columbia, South Carolina Closures - Christmas Day Special Programs - NatureFest in April, Owl Prowls in Spring & Fall, monthly guided canoe trips, Harry Hampton Memorial Walk in November, and spring nature walks. Exhibits - Few exhibits in Ranger Station. Available Facilities - Restrooms accessable by wheel-chairs. Boardwalk loop, 2.3 miles, accessible by wheelchair. Over 20 miles of marked hiking trails 18 miles of marked canoe trail (primitive conditions with numerous tree falls accross creek.) Picnic tables near Ranger Station. Visitor Centers HARRY HAMPTON VISITOR CENTER Open All Year 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Phone - (803) 776-4396   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Congaree Swamp National Monument.   Campgrounds Near Congaree Swamp National Monument: Bethel Campground, Kershaw County, 13 miles away Sesquicentennial State Park, Columbia, 14 miles away Capital City Campground, Columbia, 16 miles away Columbia/camden RV Park, Lugoff, 17 miles away Wheat water Lake Campground, Saint Matthews, 18 miles away   Hotels Near Congaree Swamp National Monument: Red Roof Inn Columbia East Ft Jackson, Columbia , 7 miles away Microtel Inn And Suites Fort Jackson, Columbia , 7 miles away Candlewood Suites COLUMBIA-FT. JACKSON, Columbia , 8 miles away Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites COLUMBIA-FORT JACKSON, Columbia , 8 miles away Comfort Inn & Suites Ft.Jackson Maingate, Columbia , 8 miles away La Quinta Inn MainGate Fort Jackson, Columbia , 8 miles away Quality Inn & Suites Ft. Jackson Maingate, Columbia , 8 miles away   Whitewater Near Congaree Swamp National Monument: Broad River, Richland County , 17 miles away, Class II-III - 4 miles long (I-20 to Congaree River) Congaree River, -blank- County , 19 miles away, Class I-II - -blank- miles long (Broad to Gervais) Saluda River, Lexington / Richland County , 25 miles away, Class II-IV - 11 miles long (Lake Murray Dam to Broad/Congaree confluence)   Public Lands Near Congaree Swamp National Monument: Sesquicentennial State Park, South Carolina , 10 miles away Poinsett State Park, South Carolina , 22 miles away Lake Wateree State Park, South Carolina , 29 miles away Goodale State Park, South Carolina , 30 miles away   Golf Courses Near Congaree Swamp National Monument: Sedgewood Country Club, Hopkins , 1 miles away Garners Ferry Golf & Amusement, Columbia , 6 miles away Indian River Golf Club, Gadsden , 6 miles away Wildewood & Woodcreek Farms, Columbia , 10 miles away Woodlands Country Club, Columbia , 11 miles away   Lakes Near Congaree Swamp National Monument Boyden Arbor Lake, Richland County , 9 miles away