Bluff Campground at Congaree National Park

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Bluff Campground at Congaree National Park is a walk-in campground that can be reached by hiking from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center on the Bluff Trail (.6 mile) or the Firefly Trail (.7 mile), or from the Longleaf Campground on a Longleaf / Bluff trail combination (.9 mile). There is parking at either location. I personally see no reason to haul camping equipment to the Bluff Campground when I can camp at the nicer Longleaf Campground where the sites are much closer to the parking lot. However, Longleaf is far more likely to be filled up, so Bluff may be the only alternative. The lone camper I talked to at Bluff said he chose it on purpose to be away from everyone. There are only 12 sites at the Longleaf Campground, so that excuse isn’t really viable (though he was by himself).

CAMPING SEASON

The Bluff Campground is open year-round. I do not advise camping anywhere in Congaree National Park from July through September due to heat and mosquitoes, and even June can be miserable. I camped at the park in mid-October when the temperature was perfect and there were minimal mosquitoes and other annoying insects. However, like June, October can also be miserable.

From late winter through early spring, Congaree River floods an average of ten times, and when it does, all the trails are going to be underwater, and paddling in the park will be extremely difficult due to there being no routes to follow (it’s just a big lake in the forest). My buddy unwittingly visited during a flood in February, and even the campground was swamped. Even if he could have camped, there was absolutely nothing to do other than walk the elevated section of the Boardwalk Trail. Before visiting during flood season, be sure to either call the park at (803) 776-4396 or check the National Park Service’s official Current Conditions web page. If you can’t hike and you can’t paddle, there is no reason to visit.

TYPE OF CAMPING

Tent camping only.

NUMBER OF CAMPSITES

There are six campsites at the Bluff Campground. Each can accommodate up to eight people and three tents.

Campsite 1 at the Bluff Campground in Congaree National Park

CAMPGROUND TERRAIN

The Bluff Campground is situated on a large, circular field of grass bounded by a forest. Campsites are up against the trees, but they are still out in the open. Depending on the angle of the sun and where on the field a campsite is located, there could be some shade, but expect plenty of sun as well, possibly for half the day. It is possible to pitch a tent in the forest, but space is limited, and finding a spot for a large tent may be a challenge. There is plenty of room for pitching multiple large tents on the grass area.

Campsite 4 at the Bluff Campground in Congaree National Park

The grassy section of Campsite 6 is not on level terrain, but there are some level areas in the forest. Regardless, choose it as a last resort.

Campsite 6 at the Bluff Campground in Congaree National Park

Campsites 1, 4, and 5 are a little better, but there is still some slant to the terrain. Campsites 2 and 3 are the best. Campsite 3 also has the most shade of any site, so this would be my first choice. However, both 2 and 3 are at the bottom of the hill, so when it rains hard, they might end up getting swamped.

Campsite 3 at the Bluff Campground in Congaree National Park

Campsite 2 at the Bluff Campground in Congaree National Park

There are many large fire ant hills on the field, so watch where you step and where you pitch your tent.

AMENITIES

Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring / grill. As with any campground, the grill grate can be nasty, so you might want to bring your own or some aluminum foil to cook on.

Campsite 5 at the Bluff Campground in Congaree National Park

There is no running water or toilets, not even portable toilets. If you have to use the restroom, you must either use the forest or walk back to the Visitor Center. The Family restroom on the outside of the building is open at all times. There is a water fountain at the Visitor Center as well for refilling water bottles.

If using the forest for restroom purposes, deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6-8 inches deep that are at least 200 feet from water sources, campsites, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Bury toilet paper deep in the hole or pack it out along with the rest of your trash (there are no trash cans at the campground).

There are no showers, but there is a Love’s Truck Stop 13 miles away towards Columbia that has pay showers. This is where I went, and while it is expensive—$17 when I visited—it is deluxe. If you are a Love’s member, it is a little cheaper.

FEES AND RESERVATIONS

Reservations are required to camp at the Bluff Campground and can be made up to six months in advance online at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. You cannot pay at the park. If you arrive without a reservation, use your cell phone to make one. If you are unable to get a signal at the campground, there is Wi-Fi service at the Visitor Center.

At the time of the writing, campsites are $10 per night. The current fee is given on the reservation website.

CAMPGROUND RULES

• Check-out time is 11 AM.
• Check-in time is 12 PM.
• Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days, and 26 days within a six-month period.
• Campers may gather dead wood for campfires. Outside firewood must be purchased locally and / or be certified as pest free. Rangers may ask for proof of purchase or the packaging to confirm this.
• There are no trash cans, so campers must carry out all trash.
• There are racoons, so be sure to properly store food.

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