South Carolina / Richland County / Congaree National Park Wilderness / Congaree National Park

Bluff Hike In Camping

Open — Open year-round for reservations. Maximum stay is 14 consecutive days and 28 days within a 6-month period. Check-in is 12:00 p.m., check-out is 11:00 a.m.

About

Bluff Hike In Camping offers a frontcountry camping experience with a backcountry feel at Congaree National Park. Located approximately 1 mile from both the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and Longleaf Campground, this hike-in only campground sits at the intersection of the Bluff and Firefly Trails. Campers must park at either location and carry all gear along the trail to reach the campground. The campground features 6 primitive tent-only sites positioned around the edges of an open, grassy clearing in a mixed pine/hardwood upland forest. The sites are adjacent to an area undergoing restoration to longleaf pine grassland/savanna habitat. This location sits at higher elevation than the floodplain, protecting it from the periodic flooding that regularly occurs in other areas of the park. Depending on the time of day, campsites may receive sun during morning or afternoon/evening hours, providing opportunities to observe birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table and can accommodate up to 8 campers with a maximum of 3 tents per site. This is a pack-in, pack-out campground with no facilities onsite. Restrooms are available at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center during operating hours and at vault toilets at Longleaf Campground. Potable water is available 24/7 at filling stations at the visitor center. Campers have easy access to 27 miles of hiking trails throughout the old-growth bottomland hardwood forest.

Directions

Park at either the Harry Hampton Visitor Center or Longleaf Campground. From the visitor center, hike approximately 1 mile on the Firefly Trail. From Longleaf Campground, hike approximately 1 mile on the Bluff and Longleaf Trails. Campground is located at the intersection of the Bluff and Firefly Trails.

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