Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park
The best months to visit Congaree National Park are January, February and April — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. May is the crowd peak (29,060 monthly visits); August is quietest at 47% of peak.
- Paddling Conditions (Caution)
- Backcountry Trail Conditions (Caution)
- Planning Ahead for Transportation (Information)
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Congaree month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Best window | 13,877 | 48% | 58°F / 34°F | 4.3″ | 10.1h |
| February | Best window | 15,995 | 55% | 61°F / 36°F | 4.0″ | 11h |
| March | Peak crowds | 28,483 | 98% | 68°F / 42°F | 4.2″ | 11.9h |
| April | Best window | 24,798 | 85% | 77°F / 50°F | 3.3″ | 13h |
| May | Peak crowds | 29,060 | 100% | 84°F / 59°F | 3.6″ | 13.9h |
| June | Peak crowds | 20,501 | 71% | 90°F / 69°F | 5.2″ | 14.4h |
| July | Shoulder | 17,271 | 59% | 93°F / 72°F | 7.7″ | 14.2h |
| August | Shoulder | 13,657 | 47% | 91°F / 71°F | 6.4″ | 13.4h |
| September | Shoulder | 16,974 | 58% | 86°F / 65°F | 4.4″ | 12.4h |
| October | Peak crowds | 21,349 | 73% | 76°F / 52°F | 3.5″ | 11.4h |
| November | Peak crowds | 20,935 | 72% | 66°F / 40°F | 3.6″ | 10.4h |
| December | Shoulder | 17,041 | 59% | 60°F / 36°F | 4.4″ | 9.9h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station N 5NE, SC US (17 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
How many people visit Congaree each year
Congaree National Park had 287,833 recreation visits in 2025, 19% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2025, with 287,833. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 239,941 visits a year, which makes it the 13th least-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 287,833 | +19% |
| 2024 | 242,049 | −3% |
| 2023 | 250,114 | +22% |
| 2022 | 204,522 | −5% |
| 2021 | 215,181 | +80% |
| 2020 | 119,306 | −25% |
| 2019 | 159,445 | +9% |
| 2018 | 145,929 | −9% |
| 2017 | 159,595 | +11% |
| 2016 | 143,843 | +64% |
| 2015 | 87,513 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
What to pack for Congaree in January
Computed from January's weather normals — Congaree's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 34°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 4.3″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Headlamp — only 10.1 hours of daylight in mid-January (compare other options)
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 4.3″ of rain is normal this month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Congaree?
January, February and April rank best for Congaree on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight.
What is the most crowded month at Congaree?
May: an average of 29,060 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is August, at 47% of the May peak.
When is Congaree least crowded with decent conditions?
August. It is the park's quietest month (47% of the May peak, 13,657 average visits) without harsh-season weather.
How many people visit Congaree per year?
Congaree National Park had 287,833 recreation visits in 2025, 19% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2025, with 287,833. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 239,941 visits a year.
What is the weather like at Congaree through the year?
The warmest month is July, with average highs of 93°F. The coldest nights come in January, averaging 34°F. The wettest month is July, with 7.7″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N 5NE, SC US station.)
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Congaree ranks against all 63 parks in January, February and April.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks