About
Congaree National Park — Champion Trees of the Old Growth South. From Columbia through Richland County to its confluence with the Wateree, the Congaree carries an average 8,400 CFS across 50 miles of South Carolina Piedmont. The river transitions from urban put-ins near Columbia through 20 miles of old-growth floodplain forest protected within Congaree National Park, established in 2003. Below the park boundaries, the final 10 miles widen toward the Wateree confluence. At optimal flows between 2,000 and 15,000 CFS, the Congaree runs Class I throughout, though higher water brings swift current and debris loads typical of Southeastern blackwater systems. The park section offers the most primitive paddling, with towering bald cypress and loblolly pine forming one of the largest intact bottomland hardwood forests on the continent. Congaree National Park provides canoe access and manages the designated South Carolina Scenic River corridor through the protected reach.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.