Firefly Trail in Congaree National Park

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See the Hiking Trails web page for a trail map, tips on hiking in Congaree National Park, and a link to reviews of the other trails in the park.

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Length: .7 mile, one way
Time:  20 minutes
Difficulty:  Easy

The Firefly Trail in Congaree National Park runs from an intersection at the northwest corner of the Boardwalk Trail to the Bluff Campground. Hikers can also access it directly from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, which is where most people starting on the western end of the trail begin. This is where I started, and this report is written from that perspective.

As you hike the trails in Congaree National Park, you will notice white placards with numbers on them attached to trees every so often. These are blazes—markers that serve as Hansel and Gretel breadcrumbs—and the numbers correspond to various trails. The Firefly Trail is #10. Blazes aren’t all that important on the Firefly Trail because it is pretty easy to follow. There are no ambiguous intersections or tricky turns.

No. 10 blazes mark the route of the Firefly Trail in Congaree National Park

From the back of the Visitor Center, take the stairs down to the Firefly Trail. A directional sign at the intersection indicates that you can take a left or a right, which is because the Visitor Center access point is not at the beginning of the trail. It is about a tenth of a mile from the Firefly’s western start at the Boardwalk Trail. There is no point going to the right to get to the Boardwalk Trail since it starts at the Visitor Center. In fact, when you take the stairs, you are actually getting off the Boardwalk Trail. Most people starting a hike on the Firefly Trail from the Visitor Center are heading to the Bluff Campground or the Sims Trail, so if either of these is your destination, a left is the way to go.

Stairs at the back of the Congaree National Park Visitor Center lead to the Firefly Trail

Trailhead at the Congaree National Park Visitor Center for the Firefly Trail

The first quarter mile of the Firefly Trail is wide and has a fairly smooth surface. There are a few small hills, including one from stairs at the Visitor Center down to the trail, but overall it is an easy hike.

Typical terrain of the Firefly Trail near the Congaree National Park Visitor Center

Continue left when the Firefly Trail temporarily merges with the Boardwalk Trail a quarter mile from the Visitor Center. A stone’s throw ahead is a gap in the boardwalk where the intersection with the Sims Trail is located. Keep straight ahead on the boardwalk.

Firefly Trail merges with the Boardwalk Trail east of the Congaree National Park Visitor Center

A tenth of a mile later, the Firefly Trail exits the boardwalk. Follow the sign to the Bluff Campground.

Firefly Trail diverges from the Boardwalk Trail east of the Congaree National Park Visitor Center

The trail at this point covers level ground and continues to be easy to hike. There are a few roots sticking out of the ground, so watch your step.

Typical terrain of the Firefly Trail between the Boardwalk Trail and the Bluff Campground at Congaree National Park

A quarter mile from the boardwalk, the trail forks. There is no directional sign, and the fork is not on the trail map. Off to the right is the Bluff Campground—you’ll see some picnic tables—and the fork to the right is just a shortcut to it. If you plan to continue hiking on the Bluff Trail, which runs west from the campground to the Longleaf Trail, stay to the left. Just up ahead is the official end of the Firefly Trail at the intersection with the Bluff Trail. You can also take a right at the intersection to get to the campground.

Intersection at the eastern end of the Firefly Trail with the Bluff Trail, Congaree National Park

I hiked the Firefly Trail multiple times in mid-October and never had a problem with mosquitoes. The weather was fantastic: 45º F in the morning and low 70s in the afternoon. However, I can say without any doubt that you don’t want to do this hike, or even visit Congaree National Park, from June through September due to not only bugs, but also extreme heat and humidity.

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