Congaree National Park.

Congaree National Park preserves the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Defined by the rise and fall of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers, this flood-plain ecosystem supports some of the tallest trees in the country, including "champion" loblolly pines and sweetgums with canopies reaching up to 160 feet. Visitors can navigate the swampy terrain via an elevated 2.4-mile boardwalk or explore the Cedar Creek Canoe Trail, where the dark waters reflect towering cypress knees and water tupelos. Beyond the flora, the park serves as a sanctuary for diverse wildlife, from river otters and alligators to rare woodpeckers. It is a quiet, atmospheric landscape that feels prehistoric, largely untouched by the logging that transformed the rest of the region’s river valleys.