Congaree National Park Ranger-Guided Canoe Tours
Congaree National Park preserves the largest remaining section of old-growth bottomland forest in the United States. A federally designated wilderness area in the floodplain of the Congaree River, it is a landscape forever shaped by water. Here, visitors to the park can see some of the tallest trees east of the Mississippi and witness amazing biodiversity.
Numerous waterways can be found throughout the park. Cedar Creek, the primary body of water in the park, flows 15 miles from the parks northern border to its confluence with the Congaree River. This creek flows through a magnificent old-growth forest, past breath-taking trees and is home to many types of wildlife.
Congaree National Park offers a wide range of opportunities to explore and experience the great outdoors. Park visitors will find old growth forests teeming with wildlife, miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to moderately strenuous and miles of waterways in a canoe or kayak. Ranger led guided canoe tours are offered, with advanced reservations, during the spring and fall months as schedules and staffing allow. The park also offers first-come, first-served interpretive programs throughout the year including guided hikes and ranger presentations.
Congaree National Park preserves the largest remaining section of old-growth bottomland forest in the United States. A federally designated wilderness area in the floodplain of the Congaree River, it is a landscape forever shaped by water. Here, visitors to the park can see some of the tallest trees east of the Mississippi and witness amazing biodiversity.
Numerous waterways can be found throughout the park. Cedar Creek, the primary body of water in the park, flows 15 miles from the parks northern border to its confluence with the Congaree River. This creek flows through a magnificent old-growth forest, past breath-taking trees and is home to many types of wildlife.
Congaree National Park offers a wide range of opportunities to explore and experience the great outdoors. Park visitors will find old growth forests teeming with wildlife, miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to moderately strenuous and miles of waterways in a canoe or kayak. Ranger led guided canoe tours are offered, with advanced reservations, during the spring and fall months as schedules and staffing allow. The park also offers first-come, first-served interpretive programs throughout the year including guided hikes and ranger presentations.
Need to Know
- The park offers reservations for guided canoe tours at various times throughout the year. These are the dates for the 2020 Spring Season:
- Friday, April 3
- Sat, April 4
- Fri, April 10
- Sat. April 11
- Wed. April 15
- Thurs. April 16
- Fri, April 24
- Sun, April 26
- Fri., May 1
- Sat. May 2
- Tours for the 2020 Spring Season will open on Wednesday, March 4 at 12:00pm Eastern Standard Time. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis and only through Recreation.gov. Reservations cannot be made directly with the park (if you contact the park directly you will be advised to make a reservation via Recreation.gov).
- Each ranger-guided canoe tour is limited to 12 people. Only those with a reservation will be permitted on the tour.
- Children must be ages 6 and up, and must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older).
- All participants must be able to swim without the aid of a flotation device. Participants will be responsible for operating their canoes and at least one person per canoe must have previous paddling experience.
- 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 (2-3 hours). 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.
- The park provides all canoe equipment (paddles, life vests, 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.
- All tours begin at the South Cedar Creek Canoe Landing promptly at 9:00am. If you arrive later than the scheduled start time, you may not be permitted to particiapte 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 starting location, please contact park staff prior to the date of your tour.
- The South Cedar Creek Canoe Landing has two pit toilets and receptacles for trash and recycling. Restrooms with running water are available at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center.
- 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.
The program will begin promptly on the water at the listed start time after a brief safety orientation. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. Any arrivals after the designated tour start time will not be permitted to get on the water.
For this tour, at least one person per canoe must have kayak or canoe experience. For each two reservations made, one person must have experience.For more information, please visit our website
https://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/canoeing.htm
Booking Windows
No specific booking information available at this time. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates on ticket releases.
Changes and Cancellations
No refunds once tour starts. See Facility Rates for fees.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
100 Hopkins SC 29061
Phone Number
803-776-4396
