One Of America’s Least-Visited National Parks Is Here In South Carolina, And You Might Have It All To Yourself
Tourism continues to flourish in the Palmetto State, and with it, so do visits to our only national park, Congaree National Park in Hopkins. Yet, even with a ever-growing number of visitors in recent years, this hidden gem remains in the top 10 least visited national parks in the country. According to recently released figures, Congaree National Park saw just over 145,000 visitors last year, or an average of just over 400 people per day – a stark contrast to the colossal number of tourists that flock to South Carolina each year.
For South Carolinians, this means we have one of America's most stunning national parks all to ourselves.
At 26,276 acres, Congaree is an enormous place to explore on foot or by water.
Two water trails allow paddlers to navigate the biggest remaining old-growth forest floodplain in America via the Congaree River or Cedar Creek trails.
Bring a picnic and relax underneath one of the tallest canopies in the eastern United States ‐ and, for the time being, enjoy this paradise without the crowds that pack into other attractions in South Carolina.
Enjoy trails that lead to rivers, lakes, and through some swamp-like wilderness — and be sure to arrive bearing some bug spray.
But mosquitoes aren't the only airborne wildlife you'll encounter at the park. Expect to encounter everything from armadillos to turtles, snakes, and more. And...
For a few magical weeks during the summer, fireflies invade the entire park during their annual mating ritual.
In 2018, America’s national parks saw 318 million visitors. In 2018, Congaree National Park enjoyed a record high in visitor count at just over 145,000. Care to guess which national park has the most visitors annually? The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Congaree National Park is located 20 miles from Columbia, 82 miles from Florence, 85 miles from Rock Hill, and approximately 125 miles from Beaufort, Charleston, and Greenville. Learn more about the park from the National Park Service website.
Robin Jarvis is a travel and entertainment writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She spent more than two decades living on the coast in South Carolina and currently lives in the mountains of North Carolina - although she still makes it back to see family in South Carolina quite often. When she's not working, she loves to hike, kayak, and check out new adventures. Get in touch at [email protected]
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