Longleaf Campground

Longleaf Campground offers a rare glimpse into the primordial landscape of South Carolina's old-growth bottomland forest, balancing rustic charm with easy access to Congaree National Park's natural wonders. This tent-only campground provides a serene basecamp for exploring the park's diverse ecosystems, from towering champion trees to mysterious blackwater swamps. Sites are thoughtfully arranged in a mixed pine and hardwood setting, offering a blend of shade and dappled sunlight that creates an intimate connection with the surrounding forest.

Located just inside Congaree National Park, Longleaf Campground sits at a higher elevation than the floodplain, ensuring a dry camping experience even during the park's periodic flooding events. The campground's proximity to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center makes it an ideal starting point for day hikes along the park's extensive trail network, including the popular elevated boardwalk that winds through the heart of the old-growth forest.

Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the campground's strategic position for wildlife viewing, with opportunities to spot diverse bird species, elusive mammals, and even synchronous fireflies during their brief but spectacular mating season in late spring. For those seeking a deeper wilderness immersion, Longleaf serves as an excellent gateway to Congaree's backcountry paddling routes and primitive camping areas along the Congaree River.