NPS · South Carolina

Congaree National Park Wilderness

The Congaree National Park Wilderness, which makes up the majority of Congaree National Park, protects an unsurpassed old-growth bottomland hardwood forest that escaped the saws and axes of the post-Civil War South. The Congaree River, Wateree River, and several tributaries periodically flood the area, bringing rich silt that encourages tree growth. And do the trees of Congaree ever grow! Approximately 90 species attain heights and girths found nowhere else in the state. You'll find bald cypress with circumferences of 27.5 feet and extensive root systems that rise above the water in "knees" that can reach as high as 7.5 feet.

Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).

Wilderness21,700 acresNPSSCDesignated 19882 campgrounds within 10 mi
Official page at Wilderness Connect ↗
Congaree National Park Wilderness
Photo from Wilderness Connect, wilderness.net

Facts

Where each comes from ↓
DesignationWilderness
Managed byNational Park Service
StateSouth Carolina
Size21,700 acres
Designated1988, by Congress
Center point33.80° N, 80.79° W
Night skyVery dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 34)

Boundary map

1 outline

Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground

The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Congaree National Park Wilderness40°50°60°70°80°90°January: 3.41 inches of precipitationFebruary: 3.27 inches of precipitationMarch: 3.48 inches of precipitationApril: 2.70 inches of precipitationMay: 2.95 inches of precipitationJune: 4.77 inches of precipitationJuly: 4.80 inches of precipitationAugust: 4.65 inches of precipitationSeptember: 4.33 inches of precipitationOctober: 3.07 inches of precipitationNovember: 2.78 inches of precipitationDecember: 3.47 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 47.1°F averageFebruary: 50.3°F averageMarch: 57.2°F averageApril: 65.3°F averageMay: 73.1°F averageJune: 80.0°F averageJuly: 83.2°F averageAugust: 81.8°F averageSeptember: 76.8°F averageOctober: 66.3°F averageNovember: 55.4°F averageDecember: 49.3°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 in5 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Columbia Owens Dwtn AP, 17 miles from the center point at 212 feet, station USW00053867 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 44 inches a year.

Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.

Where to camp

Campsite Atlas →

None of the 2 federal campgrounds within ten miles sit inside the boundary. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.

NPS · 0.1 mi
Bluff Hike In Camping
Reservable6 sites
NPS · 0.2 mi
Longleaf Campground
Reservable16 sites

Explore

Nearby on the other atlases

National Park System units within 30 miles · Park Atlas
National Park · Adjacent
Congaree National Park
National Register listings within 15 miles · 97 in all · Register Atlas

Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.

Guidebooks for South Carolina

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Five-Star Trails: South Carolina Upstate
    Sherry Jackson, 2023
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Best Dog Hikes South Carolina
    Melissa Watson, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Best Easy Day Hikes Charleston, South Carolina
    Johnny Molloy, 2016
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

How big is Congaree National Park Wilderness?

21,700 acres.

Source: Wilderness Connect

Who manages Congaree National Park Wilderness?

The National Park Service.

Source: Wilderness Connect

What state is Congaree National Park Wilderness in?

South Carolina.

Source: Wilderness Connect

When was Congaree National Park Wilderness designated?

Congress designated it in 1988.

Source: Wilderness Connect

Can I camp at Congaree National Park Wilderness?

Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities, and the managing agency page has the permit rules. The federal campgrounds within ten miles are listed under Where to camp.

Source: Where to camp

How do I get to Congaree National Park Wilderness?

A point inside the boundary is at 33.799° N, 80.788° W. Congaree National Park is adjacent. The official page carries directions and the office address.

Source: Wilderness Connect

Which national parks are near Congaree National Park Wilderness?

Congaree National Park (adjacent). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.

Source: Nearby on the other atlases

Are there historic places near Congaree National Park Wilderness?

The National Register has 97 listings within 15 miles, including Holy Cross Episcopal Church and Chapelle Administration Building.

Source: Register Atlas

Sources

  • Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
  • Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
  • Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
  • Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
  • Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.