The US National Park Where RV Camping Is Strictly Forbidden

National parks are absolute treasures. They're beautiful tracts of land that allow us to escape our everyday lives for a while and explore nature. One really lovely hidden gem is Congaree National Park near Columbia, South Carolina. Stepping into this lush wonderland, it's easy to lose yourself in the old-growth forests with trees averaging over 100 feet tall. Once you get there and experience the mystical beauty, you're going to want to stay more than one day. However, if you plan on camping, know that you can't do it in an RV. While this might be bad news for RV owners and van-life enthusiasts, there are some really good reasons for the ban on camping vehicles.

Congaree National Park is part of South Carolina's floodplains, meaning parts of the park are subject to frequent flooding. While that's good for the ecosystem, these unpredictable floods can be dangerous for large vehicles like RVs. The ban is also to protect the environment, as the weight of the vehicles, the emissions, and the traffic are major issues for the protected area. That doesn't mean that you can't drive through the park in an RV — you just can't camp in one, or stay in any vehicle overnight for that matter. While there are sites for tent camping, you'll have to park your car in a lot and walk to the site, which can be up to a mile away. Don't let that put you off, however, as this jewel of a park is absolutely worth a trip.

Congaree National Park is open every day of the year, and better yet, it's free. You don't even need a pass to get in. The main parking area at Harry Hampton Visitor Center has some parking for larger vehicles, but try to arrive early, as it can fill up quickly. (RVs can't park at all in the Bates Ferry Trail or Fork Swamp Trail lots.) You'll need a car to get to the area, as the closest major airports are Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina (one of the U.S. airports that has therapy animals to pet) and Charleston International Airport in Charleston, South Carolina, which are both two hours away. Meanwhile, the smaller Columbia Metropolitan Airport is about a half-hour drive away. You can also take the local Midlands Comet bus to and from the visitor center if you're staying nearby.

While you're here, hiking is a must-do activity. There are trails that range in difficulty, from the easy 2.6-mile Boardwalk Trail (though some of it is under construction at the time of this writing) to the moderate 4.5-mile Weston Lake Trail through the old-growth cypress-tupelo forest, to the difficult 7.1-mile Oakridge Trail through the forests and creeks. The challenging Kingsnake Trail has some of the best birdwatching in the state, but regardless of which path you take, keep in mind that there are water moccasins in the park.

If you have a valid license, this is also a great park for fishing. You can also rent kayaks and canoes from nearby Columbia, and some waters even have guided tours. Finally, if you're looking for a spot for some RV camping after a day at Congaree, Sesquicentennial State Park is right next door with a lovely forested lake and boating access.