Hike Congaree National Park

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Before visiting Conagree National Park, I researched and noticed more bad reviews than usual. Some people even called Congaree National Park the worst National Park. In this video, I'll take you on a hike on the Boardwalk Trail, revealing some of the secrets of Congaree and giving you a better appreciation of what's around you. The Boardwalk Trail is easy and a great way to see the best of Congaree National Park.
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Congaree National Park, nestled in the heart of South Carolina, stands as a testament to nature's grandeur and resilience. Home to one of the largest tracts of old-growth floodplain forest remaining in North America, this unique park showcases a rich ecosystem vibrant with towering bald cypresses, ancient loblolly pines, and diverse wildlife. As visitors wander along the iconic Boardwalk Trail or paddle through its meandering waterways, they are treated to a symphony of birdsong and the sight of fireflies illuminating the dense canopy during certain seasons. Designated as a national park in 2003, Congaree serves as a sanctuary for both nature enthusiasts and the rare species that call it home, reminding us of the importance of conservation and the boundless beauty of the natural world.
The Boardwalk Trail at Congaree National Park is a captivating journey through one of the East Coast's most unique landscapes. Elevated above the forest floor, this 2.4-mile loop provides an intimate perspective of Congaree's ancient floodplain forest, allowing visitors to traverse between colossal bald cypresses and meandering waterways without disturbing the fragile ecosystem beneath. Informative plaques dot the path, offering insights into the park's diverse flora and fauna. As the sun filters through the dense canopy overhead, hikers can often spot various wildlife, from playful otters in the waters below to birds flitting amongst the treetops. Wheelchair accessible and gently graded, the Boardwalk Trail is an invitation for all ages and abilities to immerse themselves in the serene beauty of Congaree National Park.

[@echo6echo419]

People who hate on this park have forgotten why some people hike. It's not always about packing on miles. Some of us do it to see nature as it was intended. This place is a great area to do that. You'll see some of the largest pine trees in the world here. Put on some bug spray, forget about the mud and take a look around. There is a TON of things going on in that place.

[@kuukan4]

My husband and I spent 2 days doing all the trails there. It was so much fun and very different from CA. The flora and fauna was amazing and getting to explore the park without crowds (and without permits!) was so nice. So happy to see a KZbinr I love rave about the park!

[@user-eb1ix3gj8m]

My husband and I stopped here on the way back from Charleston for a hike. We heard that its not the best national park, so expectations weren't high. We were pleasantly surprised how unique and interesting the park is. We even had a chance to see a gator swimming in Weston lake! We definitely recommend the park, but also try detouring off the boardwalk to see more of what the park has to offer. Also, glad to see you on the east coast! Hopefully we see you do more hikes over here in the future 😀

[@mickeybrumfield764]

I don't think there is a worst National Park. Every National Park I have been to has been worthwhile and interesting. If I go to South Carolina will have to try to find some time to visit this park.

[@overwatchxrescue]

fax

[@wesleyevans2981]

I'd personally argue the Gateway Arch is the worst National Park because it should be a monument instead. Otherwise I agree, it's a 59 way tie for first.

[@silvagto]

I live 15 minutes away in Columbia. Haven’t been to Congaree Park in a while but my wife and I used to walk there with our dog about every other weekend. Beautiful place - and yes, lots of critters, but they were part of the scenery and never a problem. Plus, there’s a raised boardwalk to separate you from the wild stuff. Again, beautiful place, and worth a visit. Great video, by the way.

[@JusticeIsComing2025]

No mosquitoes in February! We went to Congaree yesterday, and we thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@dreamformula]

i enjoyed the facts, especially the height of the flood levels! insane. really cool to see you witness the amount of wildlife out there

[@backkat9475]

Thank you. I visited many years ago in November (no bugs, but wet). Loved it. Boardwalk section could be very slick in places. We hiked miles of off boardwalk and did encounter flooding in places (which made it longer when we had to turn around and find another connection). Very worthwhile. Selfishly, I liked that it was not as popular as other NP. Appreciate your vids!

[@ClydeNut]

Great vid, hope to make it here one day. Something has always rubbed me the wrong way about national park ranking lists because it seems like some people go to national parks in a checklist sort of way and not in a way that actually appreciates why the parks are there and what they’re here to protect, which leads to the disrespect places like these are subject to.

[@ervinslens]

If you ask me, this is a perfect park for solo hiking, it looks so soothing and actually alluring. Gorgeous presentation bud!

[@roninatlanta]

Good video! We hiked Congaree last November (2022) when the mosquito meter was low. We did the boardwalk and enjoyed every moment of our visit. We highly recommend Congaree.

[@sierraseb3311]

Awesome! Never heard of this national park before. I love broadwalk hikes. Best, most interesting video I've watched today. Thanks for taking us with you.

[@christyperkins8985]

Thank you for this video Hiking Guy! I live and have backpacked most of the Upstate SC trails since relocating to SC ten months ago. I have very little interest in hiking the low country but you've change that with this magical National Park!

[@TheRealProtagonistic]

That clip you showed while discussing the river otter was actually a clip of our muskrats. Tho cute, they are only half as cute as our river otters imo! Great video though. Best part if the oark though is when you go deep in the long trails and theres no one else around for miles. Lovely park that gives you a true taste of what out world USED to be

[@stevendavis1940]

Great video and narration. It looks like a wonderful place. Thanks!

[@TheGPFilmMaker]

We are planning a trip to Congaree down the line. So excited! Such a cool ecosystem and we're looking forward to seeing it!

[@Hikingguy]

It's great, you'll love it.

[@CJspitz]

I didn’t know you also go to East Coast parks. Good to see that! This park, I visited three times and personally, the best way to experience this park is to either canoe or kayak on the river and feel the serenity of the area. The worst park is Gateway Arch so no other park can claim that title. That park should’ve stayed as the national memorial.

[@scottvk75]

My wife and I plan on visiting in early March. Hoping the mosquitoes are on the "mild" marker. It looks very interesting. Thanks for your information. Very helpful.

[@jefftammy9606]

We camped here a few years ago in the fall. We enjoyed the park. We hiked the River Trail which was about ten miles long. It was a nice hike, but there were a lot of fallen trees over the trail that required effort to go under or over. I don’t know if those fallen trees have been cleared.

[@RobertVinet]

Another wonderful hike and park review. I've added it to my list. Thanks.

[@marisacherry]

Great to see an accessible trail highlighted here as you mentioned! I would be very interested to visit South Carolina and this park. I learned on the National Park Foundation website, "African American slaves used the floodplain as a refuge and place to find liberty. After emancipation they fished Cedar Creek, hunted along its banks, and baptized children in its waters."

[@GusMcCrae01]

Fantastic! I was not aware of this park. And now worries about alligators, right??

[@Hikingguy]

Ha yea I wouldn't worry too much about the gators here unless you're in the river.

[@jerrywitt4707]

You do a great job on all your content, thank you for all of your hard work

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you appreciate it!

[@LinusTan94]

It looks lovely! I look forward to visit this place in the future, just to see all of my spider friends ;)

[@brianpowell5082]

Nice to see a review across the continent!! I don't know how people have such hate for that park! Bugs and mud ARE part of nature! Great review! If I'm ever in SC, I would LOVE to check it out! That Loblolly Pine would give some of our Ponderosas a run for their money!

[@Hikingguy]

Brian you would love it - just exploding with life there

[@scacct2323]

Wow, really branching out from SoCal / Western US. Good job, Chris.

[@ericcsuf]

I had no problem with the tongue-in-cheek way Cris promoted this NP. I've traveled all over the country for decades and never heard of Congaree NP. I'll probably never get back to the South to camp, largely because of the bug problem. But if I do, this will be on my list. Thanks for all the great videos and useful information.

[@TomKimmerer]

Very well done. Congaree is an amazing experience.

[@VivianInTheOC]

Another excellent video. Thank you Hiking Guy!👍

[@derekc180]

I’m OK with Congaree being underrated because I want to keep it to myself. I started going back there about 10 years ago and absolutely fell in love, felt like I was stepping back in time. The fishing is incredible. There’s the biggest trees you can see east of the Rocky Mountains. Never say the word “swamp” around the park rangers there because they’ll give you a 10 minute lecture.

[@keeparizonawild156]

Great video my bro

[@elizabethtipton4193]

I enjoyed this park! I saw wild hog and watched a raccoon chasing frogs. I spent the night at the campgrounds that you backpack a few miles in. It was beautiful.

[@jonathanheon9374]

This is insane! I add this park on my list!

[@Calidastas]

I just think the problem is the competition. Yeh it’s fun if you stumble on to it, but not compared to Teton, Yosemite or Glacier for example.

[@TetrapodsOfLaniakea]

But you know the people who made those comments are going to say ridiculous things about those parks too. 😉 "Half Dome was the wrong shape, Old Faithful was late, that bear at Jenny Lake wasn't friendly, etc." 🙃

[@Calidastas]

@@TetrapodsOfLaniakea ikr - that’s exactly how it is in internetland…

[@overwatchxrescue]

That's the thing, when those kinds of parks are your competition, it's hard to stack up. But somewhere like Congaree is nice for what it is....a refreshing wooded area full of plenty of lush greenery.

[@sklise1]

Awesome review!!

[@ianmacfarlane9454]

Really interesting video that, thanks 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@hollernathan]

Beautiful video. Hi, does your Garmin gpsmap 67 ever randomly power off? Mine has done that a few times since purchasing. When imputing commands that’s when it usually happens. Any cause for concern? Had this issue with past gpsmaps. Thank you

[@Hikingguy]

Yea with every GPSMAP (66, 67) I've had a random shutoff or freeze. It's very very rare and I can never recreate it, but it does happen. If it's something you can recreate, you might want to post on the Garmin Support Forums. Someone else may have had the other problem OR Garmin might pick up on it and fix.

[@khaledpower6139]

Hello Sir for Garmin ETREX 22x ..... what's different between. USB Garmin mode And mass storage mode when we connect to computer ....and thank you

[@kevanhubbard9673]

....looks quite nice to me and I have learnt that Colombia is the state capital of South Carolina, don't think that I'd ever heard of it before.

[@Al.SouL-sh3xc]

Whoa! This Beautiful Wetland Became A National Park Back In 2003? That's The Year My Father Passed Away!

[@safromnc8616]

It is the one park where I always tend to see wildlife. Likewise in all of my visits (like 6) I've never even put on bug spray so don't believe all that you read. It is unique, as far as National Parks go. Last trip we saw multiple turtles, a huge watersnake and some very active pilated woodpeckers.

[@Padres1969W]

We have overnight permits starting and ending at whitney portal. Are we still allowed to do it in one day?

[@Hikingguy]

Yup

[@NatureShy]

Even as a PNW hiker, this park seems like such a cool place, and I have always thought so. Unlike Gateway Arch, Hot Springs, Cuyahoga, and Indiana Dunes, which do not deserve the national park title, imo. (Especially the first three.)

[@Hikingguy]

Yea it's pretty awesome and recommended if you're in the area.

[@fardrives]

Truthfully, there isn't a bad national park in the country. They are all beautiful

[@magnubeido832]

Agreed 💯

[@steveschwartz6138]

Reminds me of Estelle Manor in NJ but much bigger.

[@jayizzett]

Well done

[@Al.SouL-sh3xc]

6:46 Is Another Nice View Of The Swamp!

[@JasonRaneses]

Do I spy the Epix Pro 51mm on your wrist? Curious how it turned out on the trip and when the review is going to drop.

[@Hikingguy]

Yup so far its great hopefully can get a video up in the next couple of weeks

[@leticialopez8900]

Beautiful park ❤

[@StevenDietrich-k2w]

"Is this the worst National Park?" No, that would be Gateway Arch National Park. I've been to both. Congaree has a nice little elevated walking path through a unique ecosystem. Gateway Arch is just a big man made object. We might as well have made the Statue of Liberty a National Park. Before you comment, yes, I know that the Arch commemorates westward expansion of our country. I just think it is pretty weak to have a man made object as a NP.

[@RichRich1955]

Looks like a fav for birders.

[@Al.SouL-sh3xc]

I'll Enjoy Walking Around This Place Five Times In One Day, If The Weather Is Calm And The Paths Aren't Flooded!

[@safromnc8616]

PS There are wild hogs out there but I've never seen any, but you may see sign.

[@entropyfu]

looks beautiful

[@Al.SouL-sh3xc]

I See The Cabbage Palmettos Whenever I Go Somewhere!

[@frankgoldman3313]

Welcome to the East Coast!

[@tennesseejed5654]

There is NO WAY this park is worse than Cuyahoga Valley.

[@fiarandompenaltygeneratorm5044]

Agreed. Cuyahoga Valley is a bad national park, but one of the best METRO PARKS ever. I'm glad the area is protected, though, because it would just get destroyed otherwise.

[@Al.SouL-sh3xc]

Yeah! 8:50! My Reptilian Friends!

[@danmenes3143]

Now I know everyone's wondering: which park does get your vote for "worst?"

[@Hikingguy]

Ha yea prob Gateway Arch - visited when driving cross-country about 10 years ago. "Park" is a strong term for that one.

[@leonfisher]

A hike with no visor required.

[@tonyjones9442]

Hello. Some one from britain here so excuse my ignorance. Is it not dangerous to have a trail next to a lake with alligators? The beast could go on the board walk!

[@easydoesit9584]

Alligators are mostly shy. But just in case you can go with a friend who is slower than you :)

[@0grifman1]

It’s national park, and it’s there to protect the wildlife, not the people. And if you think gators are bad, if you go to Yellowstone NP there are deadly bison, wolves and grizzly bears for heaven’s sake! Should we wipe them all out to protect the tourists (many of whom go there just to see them!)? You go to a NP at your own risk.

[@luisborgesjr]

Congaree is the worst national park that I have visited, no doubt! And I have visited about 20 national parks

[@HappyHermitt]

I dont care what city slickers think.

[@higler.]

I dunno... hot springs national park in Alabama is pretty garbage. It's like some building and a few trees lmao

[@ruthwallace6741]

I think Hot Springs National Park is in Arkansas.

[@higler.]

@@ruthwallace6741 you're right

[@MandyL]

Extremely sad that you have had to resort to click bait titles and add to the negativity already on the internet. Anyone who has been here will know that this is not the worst and so much of its history (including it’s important and interesting African American history) is ignored. Also, the synchronised fireflies are amazing! It is absolutely fantastic that there are National Parks you do NOT have to plan a year in advance, try to get hard to obtain permits and can have easy access from a big city.

[@oxeneers]

I don't think "Hike Congaree National Park" is a clickbait title. His thumbnail has a clickbait-y question but it is incredibly inoffensive and he answers the rhetorical question it poses immediately. I've been watching Cris for a while now and he is literally giving such incredible advice, thoughts, and insight into hiking in general. Give the guy a break - he's doing an insanely good job. Much love from Irvine, Cris! Don't listen to the haters.

[@TheMetaSD]

That's not clickbait at all. Clickbait is when a title or thumbnail misleads the user in some way in order to trick them into clicking. Chris didn't do that. He asked a question in the thumbnail, immediatly explained the question in the beginning of his video, and then spent the rest of the video answering the question. That is like the exact opposite of clickbait.

[@Hikingguy]

Guessing you didn't watch the video. The first words out of my mouth are "I don't agree with those reviews" and then spend 11 minutes dispelling the negativity on the internet and tell people how great it the place is, ending with "I hope you get a chance to visit it, it's unique and cool place."

[@MandyL]

@@Hikingguy shame you couldn’t also muster a more positive title then… Perhaps you could reword it to something like “my great experience at Congaree National Park”, rather than continuing to pick on them…

[@markburrell2778]

What about Native American history ? The African Americans helped exterminate them after they gained their freedom.