As we start spending more time exploring the outdoors to clear our minds, we've been working on a long list of bucket list places to explore. Between the coast and the forest, there are lots of ways to find peace and quiet here, but this boardwalk hike in South Carolina in one of the country's most lovely national parks is a favorite.

Congaree National Park in Hopkins, South Carolina joined the list of designated parks in 2013.

If you’ve visited, you’ll surely agree that this is one place that’s more than deserving of the honor. The park comprises more than 26,276 acres.

And it includes some of the largest trees in the world! Visiting the park will allow you to get up-close and personal with an old growth bottomland hardwood forest. In fact, Congaree’s trees are the oldest of this type in America!

The park is beautiful, but we’re especially impressed by the way visitors see it all. There are a few different trails you can take to explore, but we recommend the 2.4-mile Boardwalk Trail, one of the best hikes in South Carolina.

Your route will begin just beyond the visitor center. Once you arrive, have a walk through the museum to understand what you’ll soon be seeing and then grab a map.

Don’t forget to check the mosquito meter to know what you’re up against!

The route meanders through the trees, allowing visitors to see things like tupelo trees, loblolly pines, and bald cypress. Some of these trees are absolutely mammoth!

We love this place in the spring as the newness of green leaves creates a lush environment. But, of course fall, winter, and summer are lovely as well.

In addition to the beauty of the plants and trees, there’s also plenty of wildlife to see. Just keep an eye out to spot it. This is a fun activity for kids as they get more comfortable with exploring the outdoors.

The Boardwalk Trail itself is accessible to most folks who can get around, which is why we love trails like this so much. The most important thing is that everyone has a chance to experience this type of natural area and boardwalk trails do just that.

The trail here is a loop, so once you’ve seen it all, you’ll end up back where you started. If you have any questions, this is a good time to talk to a ranger.

Then, you can head out while planning your next trip back!

Congaree National Park is open throughout the year and entry is free, but you'll want to double check that they're open before visiting, just in case. Its hours are dusk till dawn. You can learn more about the Boardwalk Trail by visiting the official website.

In the mood for more accessible trails? These 10 boardwalks in South Carolina will make your summer awesome.