Ranger Guided Canoe Tour

Congaree National Park Ranger-Guided Canoe Tours

Have you ever wanted to take a canoe trip on Cedar Creek with a park ranger? The park may offer a limited number of guided canoe tours each year as staffing and schedules permit, allowing visitors to experience the Congaree Wilderness in a unique way. While on the creek, rangers will talk about the natural and cultural history of the last remaining old-growth buttomland forest in the United States. Visitors will see large bald cypress, loblolly pine and a variety of wildlife while on the tour. Would you like to join us?

Select a date to see a list of times

Need to Know

• Updated Tour Information
  • Tours begin and end at South Cedar Creek Canoe Landing.
  • Guided canoe tours are offered at various times throughout the year at Congaree National Park.
  • Reservations must be made via this website and cannot be made directly with the park. 
  • Only participants with valid reservations will be permitted on the tour. 
  • Children six (6) and up are permitted on tours and must be accompanied by an adult. Each adult and child must have their own ticket.
  • It is highly recommended that participants be able to swim and have at least some previous paddling experience. 
  • Participants will be responsible for operating their canoes. Participants should be prepared to lift and carry canoes and other equipment for short distances. Visitors not able to do this should advise park rangers prior to arrival. The park provides all canoe equipment (paddles, life vests, canoes). 
  • All tours begin promptly at the scheduled time listed on tickets. If you arrive later than the scheduled start time, you will not be permitted to participate in the tour (critical safety information and instructions are given at the beginning of the tour). Participants are encouraged to arrive at least 15-minutes prior to start time. If you have questions about how to get to your tour's starting location, please contact park staff prior to the date of your tour. 
  • Park staff can cancel tours for inclement weather, unsafe water conditions and/or any other conditions that can affect the safety of visitors, staff and volunteers. Staff will try to give participants advanced notice of any cancellations, but tours can be cancelled without notice. No make up tours will be offered in the event of a cancellation.
  • Tour participants should wear weather appropriate clothing and shoes that strap to the feet (flip-flops, sandals or Crocs are not recommended). Depending on conditions, participants should be aware that they may get wet and muddy. 
  • Participants should bring Insect repellent, sunscreen and plenty of water for the tour. Although electronic devices (i.e. cameras, smartphones, etc.) can be brought on the tours, there is always the risk of these devices getting wet or lost during the tour. 
  • Pit toilets are available at the South Cedar Creek Canoe Landing. Restrooms with running water are available at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. NOTE: there are no facilities along tour routes. 

• Tour Information

• For more information, please visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/cong