Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. PRO TRAVEL TIP: This park floods on a regular basis. Fall is the best time to go paddling on Cedar Creek since water levels are ideal. A few of the snakes we saw today on Cedar Creek in Congaree National Park Plus, wed had the park almost entirely to ourselves. Congaree National Park Photos (1,487) Directions Print/PDF map Length 9.9 miElevation gain 45 ftRoute type Loop Discover this 9.9-mile loop trail near St. Matthews, South Carolina. Cypresses only grow in the southeastern corner of the United States, with the exception of a few pockets of trees in places like Louisiana and Mississippi, and many of the nations forests were heavily logged in the early 1900s to aid in railroad construction, Congarees cypresses, including the threatened bald cypress, are the largest remaining old growth stand in the nation. Were still waiting on the final numbers as our stars team go through and clean the data. Photos taken by a park volunteer show a large cottonmouth . Below are a few things you should know before hiking at Congaree: The Ten Essentials are a collection of first aid and emergency items that can help you in the event of minor injuries, sudden weather changes, or unexpected delays. Do you have any questions about Congaree National Park, let us know in the comments below or need help planning your National Park trips. It proceeded to spread its wings to dry them and we got a couple great photos of it while it did. This park is currently at the bottom of our list (Canyonlands is #1) .. weve experienced 11 parks so far (Wisconsin is home base) and use your blog as an inspiration! Where the cypress trees grow, cypress kneesvertical outgrowths of the cypress rootscan also be found protruding from the surface of the water. Following the Leave No Trace Seven Principles can help us minimize those impacts. Personally, Congaree isnt the worst National Park. Congaree National Park protects the oldest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. This is perfect to help us plan our itinerary! Like all of the hiking trails in Congaree, it is completely flat. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent. When we did this, the trail was dry. Always let somebody know your planned route and schedule before heading out on the trail. It was named a national park in 2003. There are frequently signs of rooting from the wild pigs around the park. The flooding, from what I read, usually occurs in the winter into early spring. Visit NPSpecies for more comprehensive information and advanced search capability. The best way to do this hike is to start on the Boardwalk Loop Trail, hiking this in a counter-clockwise direction. Colas Restaurant, Mr. Friendlys New Southern, Alodias Cucina Italiana (located outside of Columbia), and Midwood Smokehouse also get very good reviews. In the spring and fall, temperatures are warm (daytime highs can get up into the 70s) and mosquitoes are low. Members get 15+ publications right in your pocket. Menkoi Ramen House. NEARBY PARKS: Great Smoky Mountains, Mammoth Cave, New River Gorge, and Shenandoah. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The trees that grow here are some of the tallest in the eastern US and this is one of the highest temperate deciduous forest canopies in the world. The Bluff Campground is also near the visitor center, but campers will have to hike at least a mile to get to their campsite. The 75 species of trees that grow in the bottomland forests of Congaree National Park provide a life-sustaining habitat for all kinds of mammals, fish, reptiles, and birds. We had to postpone our trip several times since many of the trails flooded and closed right before our visit. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Some of these are connector trails. In this guide, we cover the best things to do in Congaree National Park. Yes, Congaree is worth visiting. Congaree National Park South Carolina Hiking Safety On This Page The Unprepared 0:00 / 9:24 Loaded Progress Duration: 9 minutes, 24 seconds "The Unprepared" is a short film made by Congaree National Park staff, with help from park volunteers and Eastern National staff. Journey into the heart of the park on Cedar Creek. How high is the water, ranger? Step onto (or paddle through) Congaree, and the first thing youll notice is just how tall the trees are. The parks cypress trees are one of the areas most peculia, features. Always plan ahead and prepare. We prefer this one on all of our travels. The Weston Lake trail is a good place to see wading birds. Congaree National Park is bordered to the south by the Congaree River, which creates slow-moving creeks, oxbow lakes, and swampy areas throughout the park. Its well worth it, as it points out both natural and historical sights along the trail. The trail offers excellent birdwatching, and hikers may spot deer, raccoons, opossums, and even bobcat tracks. Congaree National Park, about 15 miles southeast of Columbia, contains 27,000 acres of the species so be careful if you take a stroll! Forested wetlands, oxbow lakes, sloughs, and slow-moving creeks cover and cover the landscape and provide essential habitat for fish, amphibians, and other aquatic life, as well as bald cypress and tupelo trees. Each trail has a different number. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Marie in Michigan! We saw the anhinga pictured below from the observation point over Weston Lake from the boardwalk. This trail starts at the Cedar Creek Canoe Launch and ends at the junction with the Weston Lake Trail and Oakridge Trail. To the right is a metal trail marker with a #7 on it. The Oakridge Trail is a longer trail (7.1 miles) that passes through hardwood forests with oaks, gums, and poplars. Drifting along Cedar Creek in a kayak or canoe is the one of the best things to do in Congaree National Park. There are other short trails in the park. and is subject to periodic flooding which occurs approximately ten times each year. There is a beauty to this area, its just on a smaller scale. Hopkins, It is 168 ft tall and has a circumference of 181 inches. In order to go fishing in the park, you must have a valid South Carolina fishing license. Catch and release fishing is encouraged. Use dissolvable iodine tablets. Make your reservation in advance! And I have never cleared as many cobwebs off my face and clothes as I did on this hike. The total ascent for this hike is a mere 60 feet. Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) 162 ft tall, Firefly Festival (only found during the Firefly Festival). At a time when most National Parks are overflowing with activity, Congaree National Parks biggest selling point might be its solitude: In 2019, just under 160,000 people visited the park over the course of the year. The park has mild winters with warm, wet summers. Other common sightings include the white-tailed deer, skinks, and brown water snakes. We did not hike this trail, choosing the River Trail instead. Water levels were low when we did this, which allowed us to duck under some fallen trees. For two hours, Tim and I paddled on Cedar Creek and once we were finished, Gus picked up the canoe and we were on our way. Fork Swamp Trail | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. May 1974: Congaree National Park 2) American national park in central South Carolina, 18 miles southeast of the state capital, . Im sorry you didnt have a great experience there. About a mile into our hike, I finally found what I was looking for: There was a black rat snake wiggling his way through the mud, clearly curious about something. Located in the Five Points neighborhood, this restaurant serves southern fare with a twist. The Cedar Creek Canoe Trail is a roughly 15-mile paddle through the heart of Congaree National Park, beginning at Bannister Bridge and continuing all the way to the Congaree River. The trailhead is also marked on our interactive map. It has an onsite restaurant and it is 10 minutes closer to Congaree than the hotels in downtown Columbia. #1 of 6 things to do in Hopkins Nature & Parks, National Parks 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061-8320 Save 42kRun Houston 158 61 Spiders, Snakes and Mosquitos Review of Congaree National Park Reviewed August 1, 2017 A nice visitor center with friendly Rangers and a film on the park. Do not leave marked trails. Where to stamp your National Parks Passport Book? Since this park is so small, you only need a half to a full day to see the highlights. Here is an interactive map where we have labeled things to do in Congaree National Park. Here visitors can experience both a unique old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, home to numerous national and state champion trees and one of the most biodiverse forests in the nation, as well as an upland pine forest where fire plays a key role in its health and survival. Click on the Congaree Map above to download the official brochure map. If you just hike the Bates Ferry Trail, it is a 2.2 mile out-and-back hike that is completely flat and takes about an hour. Yes, pets are welcome in Congaree National Park and are allowed on the trails. Looking for a cheap National Park souvenir? Paddle the 50-mile designated recreational paddle trail, extending from the state capital of Columbia downstream to Congaree National Park. They have mapped the known territories to the best of the current knowledge and is a work in progress. We were visiting, Congaree was originally designated as a swamp monument in 1976. Travel with a friend! This website uses cookies to improve your experience. There are a lot of great restaurants in Columbia. people visited the park over the course of the year. Below is a map from the National Park Service. The animal that the park really worries about is the hog. Save. These trees have been known to grow as tall as 120 feet, and their trunks can be as large as six feet in diameter. The vast majority of the park is lying within an area that, on an average year, will be underwater, explains Congaree National Park Ranger Jon Manchester, who has been with the park for 8 years. Congaree: Chasing Pure Solitude in One of the East's Least-Visited National Parks Marvel at tall trees, flooded forest, and rare birds at one of the nation's lesser-known destinations. Located just outside of Columbia, SC, Congaree National Park provides visitors with an opportunity to enjoy the beauty and wonder of the natural world in a largely untouched setting. At the next trail junction, go left to continue on the Weston Lake Loop Trail and head back towards the Visitor Center. It might be a snake slithering up a tree. Learn more about available resources. But Im just one National Park Obsessed person and I think the worst National Park is Gateway Arch. And these campsites can be reserved on Recreation.gov. Learn more here. This is a park where you want to slow your roll and enjoy the little things. As we spend time outdoors, in the natural world and in wilderness, its important to be conscious of the effects our actions may have on plants, animals, other people, and even entire ecosystems. If theyre selected as a participant, the remaining fee is $19. Hiking trails provide access for all levels and time constraints and offer views that are both scenic and educational about this little-known treasure on the banks of the Congaree River. You can go hiking, kayaking, canoeing, or camping under a tent. If you really want to experience Congaree National Park, stay in one of the park's primitive campgrounds or in the park's wild backcountry. One or more Occurrence Tags may be associated with each Occurrence value. Native: Species naturally occurs in park or region. This hike is quick and easy, as long as it is not flooded or muddy. Before planning your trip, and just before your visit, visit the National Park Service website for updates on park conditions to avoid any unfortunate surprises. Entrance Fee: There is no fee to enter Congaree National Park. Congaree National Park lies within the floodplain of the Congaree River. If you have two days in Congaree National Park, Get updates on road conditions and trail closures, as you plan your trip and just before your visit, on the. Watch your step! Flooding tends to occur during the winter months. Its completely flat and very well marked with trail signs along its entire distance. Cedar Creek Bridge | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park, Cedar Creek | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. Each person should carry should carry a minimum of 1 liter of water, though 2 liters is recommended. For more restrictions and information, visit the NPS website. If you want to see the synchronous fireflies, plan your visit for the end of May to early June. Congaree was originally designated as a swamp monument in 1976. The Bluff Trail is located north of the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and passes through loblolly and longleaf pines. Distance: 4.5 miles | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 2 to 3 hours. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. We were visiting Congaree National Park, confident that a magnificent snake was waiting to be spotted nearby. If you have a half day in Congaree National Park, walk the Boardwalk Loop Trail and consider adding on the Weston Lake Trail with the detour to Wise Lake. The food is very good (Cajun and Creole) but the main reason to put this restaurant on your list is for the bourbon. These fire-resistant trees depend on wildfires to regularly burn across the landscape, clearing out competitors such as sweetgum, turkey oak, shrubs and vines, while also helping to create and maintain open, grassy pine savannahs that are home to wildlife such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, indigo snake, and southern fox squirrel, all of which are today threatened or endangered due to habitat loss. Curious what species of plants and animals can be found at Congaree National Park? As you drive south on Highway 601, the turn off for the trailhead is located just past the bridge that crosses Bates Old River. Heading out the door? Map of Congaree National Park | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. The southern part of the Sims trail connects the Boardwalk Trail with the Weston Lake Trail, River Trail, and Oak Ridge Trail. The area has amazing biodiversity. Those who want to rough it can find a great camping experience in the wilderness. These trees make up one of the highest forest canopies in the world. After a heavy flooding, the Boardwalk Loop Trail, and other trails on this list, can temporarily close. From these hotels, you can easily walk or Uber to some great restaurants. Although the park is still relatively unfamiliar to many hikers, it is still growing.

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