Congaree National Park

While the term “swamp” is frequently associated with Congaree, this relatively new national park actually represents a floodplain forest. It inundates approximately ten times annually, rejuvenating an already vibrant ecosystem.

The Palmetto State boasts numerous sites that showcase pivotal moments in American history, alongside breathtaking natural landscapes. These attractions offer an opportunity to stroll along nature paths, listen to the birds, and admire nature’s beauty while delving into the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and Reconstruction era.

Congaree National Parkin South Carolina is celebrated for its astonishing biodiversity—particularly its vast expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, recognized as the largest of its kind in North America. The ancient trees, often referred to as “champion trees” due to their remarkable age and size, thrive in the watery floodplain, nourished by the Congaree and Wateree Rivers. These rivers, which flank the park’s eastern and southern borders, feed an intricate network of creeks throughout the park, delivering essential nutrients and sediments crucial for sustaining the ecosystem.