We visited Congaree National Park on our way home to PA from Hilton Head Island. Congaree National Park protects the largest remaining tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the country. Visit the NPS website for more information.

This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase using this link.

Summary

  • Kids ages– 2 1/2 years and 10 months
  • Child Transport– We could have taken a stroller, but instead we took our Sunveno Child Carrier for the baby and hiking backpack for the toddler for when he got tired after walking on his own.
  • Hike– 2.6 miles boardwalk, flat, easy
  • Total time spent– Probably just under two hours including the visitor center, hike, diaper changes, snacks, etc.

Parking

We parked at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center where we used the restroom, strolled the exhibits and gift shop, and stamped our national park passport. If you don’t have a passport book, they can be purchased online or at Visitor Centers which directly support each park. There are multiple types of passport books.

The Hike

We completed the Boardwalk Loop Trail which began just behind the Visitor Center where we picked up a brochure for the self-guided tour.

There are numbered stops where you can learn more about the natural and cultural history of the area.

The boardwalk surface is stroller and wheelchair-accessible.

Parts of the boardwalk have railings and other parts don’t. Going from memory, I’ve indicated the parts I think had railings and which didn’t, in case you have a curious toddler like we do and you want to plan ahead.

If needed you can cut the hike short it short by taking the Sims Trail but the surface changes from boardwalk to gravel.

We stopped by Weston lake where someone showed us a snake they spotted.

There are lots of benches scattered throughout the boardwalk to take a break.

We learned a lot reading the pamphlet during the self guided tour.

We can’t wait to come back and explore more hiking trails.

Here is a breakdown of our hike for reference.