Campsite at the Longleaf Campground in Congaree National Park

FRONTCOUNTRY CAMPING

There are two walk-in campgrounds for tents only at Congaree National Park, the Longleaf Campground and the Bluff Campground. Longleaf is the most popular because all campsites are between 50 and 250 yards from the parking lot. There are twelve standard campsites and four group sites that can accommodate up to 24 people. A fancy outhouse is on the premises. This is what Jed Clampett would call a portable toilet in a permanent building. A modern restroom is open at all times at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, which is short drive or a half-mile walk away on the Longleaf Trail.

The Bluff Campground is less popular because it is either a .6-mile or 1-mile walk, depending on where you park. There are six standard campsites for tents only that can accommodate up to eight people. There are no restrooms, not even portable toilets, so you must either walk back to the Visitor Center (1 mile) or use the forest.

Reservations can be made up to six months in advance on Recreation.gov. No payment is taken at the park, so if you arrive without a reservation, you must use a mobile device to call or connect to Recreation.gov and make a payment.

See the following web pages for complete details and plenty of photos of each campground:

LONGLEAF CAMPGROUND

BLUFF CAMPGROUND

BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING

Camping is allowed in the backcountry of Congaree National Park with a permit. The frontcountry is defined as any land on the north side of Cedar Creek between the Bannister Bridge and South Cedar Creek canoe launches. All other areas of the park are considered backcountry. This area is covered by the River Trail, Oakridge Trail, Kingsnake Trail, Bates Ferry Trail, and the Fork Swamp Trail, and you can also camp along Cedar Creek if you are paddling.

To get a permit, email the park at cong_information@nps.gov at least 72 hours in advance. There is no charge for the permit.

The backcountry is often flooded, so make sure you check with a Ranger about conditions before you drive out to the park.

• There are no designated campsites in the backcountry. Campers may select any suitable place as long as they remain 100 feet away from Cedar Creek, Tom’s Creek, Bates Old River, and Wise Lake. It is advisable to check the river forecast prior to your visit to ensure that a rise in water levels is not forecast.
• Selected campsites are limited to 6 campers and 3 structures per site and cannot be closer than 300 feet from the next closest site. Hammocks are not considered as structures, but the 6-person limit per site remains.
• Open fires are not permitted in the backcountry. Campers are permitted to use a backpacking stove for cooking.
• Please follow the principles of Leave No Trace and make sure to pack all trash, equipment, and personal belongings out with you at the end of your stay.

GENERAL ADVICE

Unless you enjoy misery, avoid camping at—or even visiting—Congaree National Park from June through September. It is very hot in the South in general, and with Congaree being somewhat swampy, mosquitoes and other insects are horrendous in the warmer months. May and October can also be a bad time. I camped at the Longleaf Campground in mid-October when the weather was in the 70s during the day and high 40s at night, and I never saw a mosquito at the campsite. I did encounter them during the day on the trails, though they were never bothersome enough for me to apply mosquito repellant.

The Longleaf Campground is one of the most beautiful that I have stayed at. I only wish it had modern restrooms on site. The Bluff Campground is also nice, but I have no desire to lug my equipment a mile to camp.

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