The Congaree River Blue Trail recorded its highest annual paddling numbers in 2025, with the Congaree Riverkeeper estimating more than 18,000 individual paddle trips along the 50-mile water trail that runs from Columbia south through Congaree National Park to the confluence with the Wateree River.
The figure represents a 40 percent increase over 2021 and reflects a broader surge in paddling activity that outfitters and park rangers say has reshaped how Midlands South Carolina residents experience the Congaree basin.
Three new access points will open along the blue trail this spring — improvements funded through a partnership between the National Park Service, the Congaree Riverkeeper, and Richland and Calhoun counties — bringing the total number of developed launch sites to 11.
“A water trail is only as good as its access,” said Congaree Riverkeeper [Name]. “When we add a put-in, we see usage in that section jump. People want to be on this river, and now we’re making it easier.”
The Blue Trail Experience
The Congaree River Blue Trail passes through one of the most ecologically significant floodplain forests in North America. Congaree National Park protects 27,000 acres of old-growth bottomland hardwoods, a landscape that holds some of the tallest trees in the eastern United States and serves as habitat for wood storks, swallow-tailed kites, and dozens of neotropical bird species.
The trail is navigable by canoe and kayak at most water levels. Several multi-day campsites along the route allow paddlers to experience the swamp environment overnight — an increasingly popular option for visitors who want to move beyond day-trip use.
“You can get on the river near downtown Columbia and within an hour feel completely removed from the city. There’s nothing else like it in the Midlands.” — [Paddling guide name], Columbia-area outfitter
Columbia Entry Points
The trail begins on the Broad River above its confluence with the Saluda, which forms the Congaree River at the Gervais Street Bridge — within sight of the State House dome. Several outfitters in the Cayce and West Columbia area offer rentals and shuttle services, making it accessible without personal equipment.
The National Park’s Harry Hampton Visitor Center, located near the park entrance off S.C. 48, provides maps, ranger programs, and canoe and kayak rentals on weekends during peak season.
Conservation Context
The Riverkeeper organization has used the blue trail’s popularity as a platform for water quality advocacy. Portions of the Congaree and its tributaries carry elevated levels of agricultural runoff, and monitoring data collected by volunteer paddlers has contributed to several regulatory enforcement actions in recent years.
What’s Next
New access point openings and paddling conditions updates are posted regularly at congareeriverkeeper.org. The National Park Service website has downloadable blue trail maps and campsite reservation information.