Bluff Hike In Camping
This is a hike-in campground that is located at the intersection of the Bluff and Firefly Trails, approximately 1 mile from both the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and the Longleaf Campground. It is surrounded by a mixed pine/hardwood upland forest. This campground is located at a higher elevation than the floodplain and is not subject to the flooding events that occur regularly in other parts of the park.
• Camping at this campground is tent only.
• This is a hike-in only campground and cannot be accessed by vehicle. Campers must park at either the Longleaf Campground or Harry Hampton Visitor Center.
• All sites have a fire ring and picnic table.
• This campground does not provide electric/water/sewer hook-ups.
• This campground does not have restroom facilities. Restrooms can be found at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, and two vault toilets are located at the Longleaf Campground.
• Running water is not available at this campground. Potable water is available at filling stations 24/7 at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center.
• This campground does not have trash or recycling receptacles. All campers must remember to pack out all trash and/or waste when leaving and can dispose of it at either the Harry Hampton Visitor Center or Longleaf Campground.
Need to Know
Reservations
• All campsites are available for reservation on a first-come, first-serve basis and must be reserved prior to setting up camp.
• Check-in time is 12:00 p.m. on the day of arrival.
• Check-out time is 11:00 a.m. on the day of departure.
• Site must be occupied by the individual listed on the reservation.
• Campers may register for no more than 14 consecutive days, and no more than 28 days within a 6-month period.
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Campsite Access, Occupation, and Use
• This is a hike-in campground only and cannot be accessed by vehicle. Those reserving a site in this campground must park at either the Longleaf Campground (hiking on the Bluff and Longleaf Trails) or the Harry Hampton Visitor Center (hiking on the Firefly Trail) to reach this campground, a hike of approximately 1 mile one-way from either starting location.
• Camping at Congaree National Park is tent only. Campers with reservations must be set up on and physically occupy a designated camp site.
• Each site may have up to 8 campers and no more than 3 tents and/or structures (e.g., pop-up canopy) per site.
• Use of hammocks is permitted and they do not count against a site's tent/structure limit. Hammocks may only be put up using straps and cannot be put up using nails, screws, etc.
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Vehicles
• Staying overnight in a vehicle (i.e., car, trailer/RV, camper van, etc.) is not permitted.
• Please remember to lock your vehicle and take all valuables with you to your site if possible. If an item must be left in a vehicle, please remember to place it in a location where it is not visible.
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Camp Fires
• Fires may only be made within established fire rings and must be fully extinguished (cool to the touch) when leaving your campsite or checking out at the end of your stay.
• Campers may only gather and use dead or downed branches already on the ground for building a fire.
• The only outside firewood that can be brought into the park is that which has been purchased locally and/or has been certified as pest free. You must have the receipt/proof of purchase and/or wrapper with pest free certification to present if requested.
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Food Storage and Disposing of Trash
• Remember to properly store all food within sealed containers to prevent access by wild animals such as racoons.
• Please properly dispose of all uneaten food and trash. This campground does not have any trash or recycling bins, and campers are require to pack out what they packed in.
• Please do not burn trash or uneaten food in fire rings, as this can attract wildlife and leave a mess for other campers.
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Potable Water and Restrooms
• No restroom facilities are available at this campground and campers are asked to practice the Leave No Trace principles for disposal of human waste. If needed, restrooms are available daily between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, and vault toilets are available at the Longleaf Campground 24/7.
• There is no running water available at this campground. Campers should pack in enough potable water for each member of their group, plus enough to fully extinguish their fire when leaving the campsite. Potable water is available at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center 24 hours a day.
Natural Features
Campsites are located on the edges of an open, grassy clearing in the mixed pine/hardwood forest, and is adjacent to an area currently undergoing restoration to a longleaf pine grassland/savanna. Depending on the time of day, sites may be the sun during the morning or afternoon/evening hours. This location offers opportunities to observe wildlife such as birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
Nearby Attractions
Congaree National Park is located near many attractions including state parks, forests and parks. The city of Columbia is a short drive from the park and offers access to many attractions including museums, city parks and shopping.
Recreation
Campers with reservations at the Bluff Campground have easy access to the park’s 27 miles of hiking trails. Campers can reach the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, boardwalk, and other hiking trails via either the Firefly or Bluff Trails. At the visitor center you find information on other trails to plan your trip into the old-growth forest of Congaree National Park. Those who would like to explore and experience Congaree via canoe or kayak can launch from one of the park's two landings, located between 5-10 minutes by car from the visitor center.
Contact Information
Mailing
100 National Park Road Hopkins SC 29061
Physical
100 National Park Road Hopkins SC 29061
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Available Campsites
- Site 03, Loop Bluff Hike-in, Type Hike To
- Site 02, Loop Bluff Hike-in, Type Hike To
- Site 04, Loop Bluff HIke-in, Type Hike To
- Site 01, Loop Bluff Hike-in, Type Hike To
- Site 06, Loop Bluff Hike-in, Type Hike To
- Site 05, Loop Bluff Hike-in, Type Hike To
