Congaree Picnic Shelter in SC -- Campground & RV Camping

The Congaree Picnic Shelter is a day-use facility set in an upland pine forest inside Congaree National Park, located next to the primary parking lot and Harry Hampton Visitor Center. The covered shelter contains multiple picnic tables, two large barbecue grills, trash receptacles, and recycling bins. A short path connects the facility to the park's popular Boardwalk Trail, which leads visitors out into the surrounding old-growth floodplain forest and connects to backcountry hiking routes and canoe access points.

Getting there: From Spartanburg - Follow Interstate 26 east towards Charleston for 92 miles and then take Exit 116 for Interstate 77 north towards Charlotte (on the left). Follow Interstate 77 for approximately five miles to Exit 5, Bluff Road. Follow directions below from I 77, Exit 5. (Approximate travel time: 2 hours) From Charleston - Follow Interstate 26 west (towards Columbia) for approximately 75 miles. Take Exit 145, US 601 north towards St. Matthews. Follow US 601 for 23 miles. Turn left onto Route 48 (Bluff Road) and follow for 11 miles to Mt. View Road. Turn left and follow Mt. View Road to Old Bluff Road. Turn right on Old Bluff Road for half a mile to the park entrance, which will be on your left. (Approximate travel time: 2 hours) From Charlotte - Take Interstate 77 south towards Columbia for approximately 95 miles to Exit 5, Bluff Road. Follow directions below from Interstate 77, Exit 5. (Approximate travel time: 2 hours) From Augusta, GA - Follow Interstate 20 east towards Columbia for 65 miles to Exit 64B. Merge onto Interstate 26 and follow for 8 miles to Exit 116, Interstate 77 north towards Charlotte (on the left). Follow Interstate 77 for 5 miles to Exit 5, Bluff Road. Follow directions below from Interstate 77, Exit 5. (Approximate travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes) From Interstate 77, Exit 5 At Exit 5 turn onto SC Hwy 48 East/Bluff Road - Following the brown and white "Congaree National Park" directional signs, travel approximately 8 miles on and then take a slight right onto Old Bluff Road. Follow Old Bluff Road for 4.5 miles to the park entrance sign, which will be on the right. Proceed one mile to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Parking lots will be on the right.

• Well separated here, with the nearest through road 1.0 miles off.
• Sits on broad, near-level ground.
• Estimated night sky: Bortle 4, a rural sky with a glow on the horizon.
• Open country, with nothing named rising within 30 miles.
• A pond lies 0.4 mi off.

Rules