Towering Trees & Honest Takes: Our Visit to Congaree National Park 🌳

🚐 RV Basecamp: Finding a Spot Near Congaree

There’s no campground inside Congaree National Park, so we found a nearby RV-friendly spot, Big Rig Friendly RV Resort to park for a couple of nights. It was a peaceful stay with easy access to the park—perfect for a day of exploring (and a solid night’s sleep after all the walking!).

🐾 Dog-Friendly Trails: Sadie Approved!

One thing we really appreciated about Congaree? It’s surprisingly dog-friendly—which isn’t always the case with national parks. Sadie was allowed to walk the entire Boardwalk Loop Trail with us, and she had an awesome time sniffing everything in sight (seriously, so many smells).

Just be sure to bring water, pick up after your pup, and keep them on a leash. It’s shaded and flat, so it’s a great trail for dogs of all ages. Sadie gave it two paws up. 🐶

🌳 Boardwalk Loop Trail: Easy, Scenic & Surreal

The highlight of Congaree is definitely its 2.4-mile boardwalk loop trail, and it did not disappoint. Surrounded by massive bald cypress trees, mossy trunks, and still, swampy reflections, the whole walk felt like stepping into a different world. The kids thought it looked like something out of a fairytale—or maybe a sci-fi movie.

Bonus: It’s flat, which made it an easy win for families.

🤔 So… Is It Worth Visiting?

Here's the truth: Congaree is peaceful, beautiful, and definitely unique, but it’s not the kind of park that’s packed with dramatic overlooks or Insta-famous hikes. If you go in expecting solitude and nature instead of epic views and crowds, you'll probably love it. It was a great place to slow down, unplug, and just be in nature.

For us, it wasn’t a bucket list wow moment, but we’re glad we went—and we’d absolutely recommend it if you’re passing through South Carolina.

🎬 Watch the Full Adventure on YouTube

Want a better look at Congaree’s boardwalk, trees, and trails? Watch our full visit on YouTube, where we take you along for the walk and share more of our unfiltered thoughts.

👉 Watch now

Planning Your Visit to Congaree?

If you’re looking for a quiet stop full of natural beauty and fewer crowds, Congaree National Park might just surprise you. It’s perfect for a day trip or a peaceful detour on your RV route—and a great reminder that not all national parks need to be jaw-dropping to be meaningful.

💬 Have you been to Congaree? What did you think—underrated or just okay? Let us know in the comments!

Until next time,
— Danny, Melissa, Emma, Jake & Sadie 🐶
@4simplelives