South Carolina's Congaree National Park is a wilderness unlike any other. If you have two days in Congaree National Park, spend one day canoeing or kayaking on Cedar Creek and one day hiking the trails (we recommend the Boardwalk Loop Trail, Weston Lake Trail, and the Bates Ferry/General Greene Tree hike). Lots of it. Some sites are . Which is honestly a shame, since it's one of the best parks to see in the fall! At 26,000 acres, it is the 7th smallest park. If you plan to visit the park for the day, pack a picnic lunch. We prefer this one on all of our travels. If a bear does attack, fight back with everything you have. Plan today at Ameriparks. There are black bears in Congaree National Park. In conclusion, Congaree National Park is a safe place to hike and enjoy the outdoors. "We're a globally important bird area," says Ranger Jon Manchester. Not quite a swamp but also unlike any mountain forest you've ever seen, Congaree National Park is a unique park. At 2 pm, our canoe was delivered by Gus from River Runner Outdoor Center. 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. Read more about the region's history. The closest major airport is located in Columbia, South Carolina, which is about a 30 minute drive from Congaree National Park. While the park is easily accessible by car, it does not have its own airport. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Below is a map from the National Park Service. When youre hiking and exploring the great outdoors, its essential to be aware of the safety of the water around you. If you see an alligator, do not approach it, and keep your pets away from the water. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Congaree National Park. There are other short trails in the park. 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061, USA. Winter in the southeast means no humidity and no bugs, making it an ideal season to paddle, hike, or fish at the park. If you want to see the synchronous fireflies, plan your visit for the end of May to early June. In Congaree, you can see some of the tallest Loblolly pines still alive today as well as bald cypress trees that are over 500 years old. The bourbon list is extensive. . Bourbon was our favorite restaurant. Difficulty: Easy. There were no signs labeling this access road but the GPS coordinates for the turn off are 334544.7N 803833.7W. They negatively impact the health of the forest ecosystem. The Bluff Trail is located north of the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and passes through loblolly and longleaf pines. Make sure your visit is safe and enjoyable. With over 26,000 acres of forest and wetlands, Congaree is home to an abundance of wildlife. ago I don't think anyone that has been to gateway arch thinks congaree is the worst national park. Seeing Wise Lake is also very nice. Visiting Congaree National Park in 2023? This has become such a popular event that in 2021 the National Park Service began a lottery system. Learn more on the NPS website. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. We chose to have it delivered. The weather is another significant danger at Congaree National Park. By studying champion trees, scientists can discern optimum ecological conditions for these species. There are always risks associated with hiking alone, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt enjoy the experience of a solo hike. In this guide, we will be exploring Congaree National Park and providing helpful hints and tips for planning a trip to Congaree. 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. Harry Hampton Visitor Center is located at 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061. Champion trees are trees which are the tallest or largest in either the state or nation. Congaree National Park does not charge an entrance fee. bears live in the mountains north or Greenville or along the coast west of Myrtle Beach. Congaree is one of the smallest US national parks. Newest US National Park: New River Gorge in West Virginia, which was established in 2020. Great Basin National Park is the most crowd-free national Park in the United States. Other parts of the US are dealing with floods so if this area also gets an increase in rainfall there could be some flooding in Congaree as well. Please review the Congaree Pet Policy before bringing your dog to Congaree. Longleaf pines are shade-intolerant, so they are less likely to survive in close canopy ecosystems. Those are the Copperhead, Canebrake Rattlesnake (Coastal Plain of the Southeast Timber Rattlesnake), and the Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth). Congaree National Park, near Columbia, South Carolina, is a beautifully preserved old growth bottomland hardwood forest adjacent to the Congaree River. Now, lets talk about Congaree National Park specifically. For the entire 1.1 mile walk (one-way), you are on a wide grassy trail that leads to a view of the Congaree River. Whether you're looking for an easy stroll in a pristine nature preserve or an epic multi-day adventure, we rounded up the 24 most beautiful gems of the U.S. National Park system. When alligators are seen, they are usually found at the southern end of the park along the river. Joshua Tree National Park is one of the largest and most, Read More Is Joshua Tree National Park Safe? This was our second favorite hike in Congaree, with #1 being the Boardwalk Loop Trail. These cookies do not store any personal information. If you have one day in Congaree National Park, spend half a day hiking the Boardwalk Loop Trail and Weston Lake Trail and spend half of a day canoeing or kayaking on Cedar Creek. Congaree is one of the least visited National Parks so the park isnt all that busy even during the busy season. Female P. frontalis fireflies are more difficult to find than the males because they are more susceptible to predation and hide to survive. Crossing over the old, rickety bridges with views of the forest is beautiful. For two weeks in mid-May and early June, synchronous quick flashes of male P. frontalis fireflies can be seen at Congaree National Park. Be sure to . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Are there snakes in Congaree National Park? -- sprawling across thousands of acres of Congaree Swamp flood plain. I hope you have a better experience, wherever you plan to go next. #2 Go Kayaking or Canoeing on Cedar Creek, #7 Bates Ferry Trail and the General Greene Tree, #10 Hike the River Trail to the Congaree River. Are dogs allowed in Acadia National Park? Tim and I canoed downstream on the creek, silently drifting past tupelos and bald cypress trees. An alternate hypothesis is that cypress knees evolved in due to environmental pressure that no longer occur, so that they currently serve no purpose. Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona. If you have one day in Congaree National Park. At the next trail junction, go left to continue on the Weston Lake Loop Trail and head back towards the Visitor Center. SC The CBR Core Protected Area includes 15,269 acres of Congaree National Park, all of which are federally designated wilderness. Be sure to stay on the trail and away from any areas where you cant see the ground clearly. But, if you drink untreated water, youre taking a risk. There are another 3 species that are likely present within the park as they are known to occur in the region but havent been confirmed within the park. At the end of this short road is a small parking area and a National Park sign indicating the trailhead. Just a half-hour outside of the state's capital, Congaree National Park is the only national park in South Carolina. There are no restaurants in Congaree National Park. 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. However, there are a few things to remember to stay safe while hiking in the park. It's also one of the best family-friendly trails for spotting wildlife. Congaree National Park is home to a number of different species of fireflies, but it is the synchronized fireflies that lure thousands of people to the park each spring. Guadalupe Mountains National Park - 219,987. We love bourbon and this is our favorite restaurant in Columbia. When we did this hike, it was dry and the trail was very easy to hike (it is completely flat). 340 Cheerchum27 10 mo. Black Bear Pass: The . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio. It is home to the largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forests in North America and the tallest trees in the eastern US. What is a bottomland forest? Charlotte Douglass International Airport, which is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a larger airport with more flight options. Daytime highs were in the high 60s to mid-70s and at night it got down into the 40s. Bald Cypress knees | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. Its always better to have too much than not enough. The highest temperature recorded at Congaree National Park was 104 degrees F in 1999. Check conditions here! . When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Fishing is allowed in all areas of Congaree National Park. Columbia is 20 miles northwest of Congaree and is the closest major city. Its the most upscale restaurant listed here and a nice option if you are looking for a fine dining experience. These fireflies are one of only a few species around the world that synchronize their flash patterns in a majestic ritual that heralds the coming of summer. This is perfect to help us plan our itinerary! Fish, amphibians, deer, raccoon, feral pigs, bobcats, and numerous species of snakes and birds all find refuge inside this park. The park is home one of the largest concentrations of champion trees. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Both towns are just a short drive to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, which serves as the northern entrance to the national park. But Im just one National Park Obsessed person and I think the worst National Park is Gateway Arch. It's also celebrating its 20th anniversary . I get why this park often makes peoples worst national parks or they ask why Congaree is a National Park. It is the remains of an old ferry road that ended at the Congaree River. Some of these are connector trails. Bears like baths. Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. There is a reason that Congaree is of the few National Parks to be a UNESCO biosphere reserve. . Youll find some challenging terrain with steep scrambles or leisurely strolls depending upon what youre looking to do, Read More Hiking In Dallas: 15 Stunning Hikes Near Dallas, TexasContinue, Redwood National and State Parks are located on the north coast of California. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. This trail's moderate length, mellowness, and beautiful wildflowers make it another of the most popular Congaree National Park hiking trails. The General Greene Tree was recognized as a South Carolina Heritage Tree on December 7, 2018. The park is located in a hurricane zone, so the weather can be very unpredictable. Where to stamp your National Parks Passport Book? If I sound too enthusiastic, you'll have to bear with me: Spring in the South is one of the most glorious times of the year. Congaree National Park is a 26,276 acre (10633 ha) American national monument in central South Carolina, spread across 41.1 sq mi (106.3 sq km), located 18 mi (29 km) southeast of Columbia. The Bates Ferry Trail is really not all that exciting. Ultimately firefly flashing is a mating ritual called a photic dialog. NATIONAL PARKS: The Complete Guide to the US National Parks LIST OF PARKS: Complete List of the US National Parks (+ FREE Printable Checklist) GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS: A Weekend in Gatlinburg & Great Smoky Mountains National Park SHENANDOAH: 10 Great Hikes in Shenandoah National Park EVERGLADES: One Perfect Day in Everglades National Park BISCAYNE: Top 10 Things to Do in Biscayne National Park NEW RIVER GORGE: 20 Amazing Things to Do in New River Gorge National Park ACADIA: 14 Best Things to Do in Acadia National Park ROCKY MOUNTAIN: How to Plan the Perfect Rocky Mountain Itinerary BRYCE CANYON:One Perfect Day in Bryce Canyon National Park BIG BEND: The Best of Big Bend: 10 Things to Do in Big Bend National Park DENALI: The Complete Guide to Denali Park Road OLYMPIC: 17 Great Hikes to Do in Olympic National Park. This trailhead is labeled on our interactive map. Personally, I think they have missed the point on Congaree, but I get where they are coming from. However, there's one specific grizzly bear that's not like the others, and it resides at Yoho National Park in eastern British Columbia, Canada. Congaree encounters Today, South Carolina has an estimated 1,200 resident black bears. I expect that Congaree will be in the bottom 75% but I dont have a passionate dislike. There are very few places in the park where you can travel more than a half-mile in one direction without having to cross a pond, lake, creek, seasonal channel (locally called a gut), slough, wet flat, or muck swamp. We didnt see much in the way of wildlife, but Cedar Creek is beautiful, and to drift along the water, listening to the birds and the crickets, and to see these majestic old trees, was a very memorable experience. (2023). David Martirosian is an avid hiker and nature lover. Park Size: 26,276acres (41.06 sq miles) (106.34 sq km). CONGAREE VINES also has a Log Cabin & Barn Bungalow available! From the Boardwalk Loop Trail, walk 0.6 miles on the Weston Lake Loop Trail until you get to the trail junction with the River Trail. bears live in the mountains north or Greenville or along the coast west of Myrtle Beach. Hiking and being in parks at night can be dangerous because of the low visibility, more wildlife out at night, and other general safety concerns. Bates Ferry Trail | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park, Congaree River | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. Though there are plenty others which are far more remote, or with way fewer visitors, Congaree simply fails to garner much attention. While they generally avoid humans, it is crucial to be aware of their presence and give them space. Menkoi Ramen House. In Congaree, you need to think on a smaller scale. For purchasing mugs inside the park, visit the following locations: Valley Visitor Center 9035 Village Drive YNP, CA 95389 Wawona Visitor Center at Hill's Studio 8308 Wawona Road Fishcamp, CA 93623 Big Oak Flat Information Center Hwy. However there are several airports within a reasonable distance that you can use to fly into the area. We are near Congaree National Park, Columbia, University of SC, Ft. Jackson, Airport I-26 & Hwy 77. This is a long hike. I can only find reports of one venomous snakebite in the park and that was to a poacher who was handing a copperhead. Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer: HikersDaily is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It was elevated to National Monument status on November 10, 2003 and the misleading swamp was dropped from the name. With Congaree National Park, you need to change your scope of reference. Cheers, Julie. Congaree has one of the tallest temperate deciduous forests in the world -- it's taller than the old-growth forests found in Japan, the Himalayas, southern South America. Learn how to become a Congaree Volunteer! It climbs to 167 feet and is almost 15 feet in circumference. Camping is also permitted in the high-ground section of the park, where an actual campground . The National Champion Loblolly Pine is located in Congaree. Here is an introduction to the best hiking this national, Read More 12 Best Hikes in Big Bend National ParkContinue, Joshua Tree National Park is a U.S. National Park in southeastern California, east of Los Angeles. more information on current conditions Visit our keyboard shortcuts docs for details. Instead, the flooding of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers bring essential water and nutrients to this bottomland region, creating one of the most diverse ecosystems in the USA. Expert Answers: Congaree National Park is a 26,276-acre American national park in central South Carolina, 18 miles southeast of the state capital, Columbia. The NPS website warns that it this hike is difficult, since flooding and downed trees can make hiking challenging. Longleaf pine forests are highly diverse, fire-dependent, open-canopy ecosystems. The trees that live here (usually bald cypress, oaks, gums, and tupelos), are able to survive these seasonal (and sometimes year-round) floods. Many of the bears are believed to have traveled from Pennsylvania or New York, and may return there at the end of the summer. Read more about the region's history. Your email address will not be published. Water levels were low when we did this, which allowed us to duck under some fallen trees. The flooding, from what I read, usually occurs in the winter into early spring. Staff could verify. There is no need to be afraid of the wildlife in Congaree National Park if you take the proper precautions. Congaree National Park is a 26,692.6-acre (41.7 sq mi; 108.0 km 2) American national park in central South Carolina, 18 miles southeast of the state capital, Columbia. If youre not careful, you could easily lose your footing and end up injured. Paddle the 50-mile designated recreational paddle trail, extending from the state capital of Columbia downstream to Congaree National Park. Is It Safe To Drink Water In Congaree National Park? I know scouts who camped in early spring 2013 at Congaree National Park. The Congaree River forms the southern border and out to the east there are a few short trails to hike. Its always best to hike with at least one other person. Largest US National Park: Wrangell-St. Elias in Alaska, which measures 13.2 million acres. You can go hiking, kayaking, canoeing, or camping under a tent. There are a few key things to remember when hiking Congaree National Park to stay safe and have a great time. Its always a good idea to let someone else know your hiking plans in casesomething happens. Our website uses cookies. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Their range once included what now is Congaree National Park, a massive forested flood plain known for its towering trees. Phone +1 803-776-4396. Outside of the park, Columbia is the best place to stay (and eat). It boasts stunningly decorated caves, ancient trees, astonishing mountainous scenery, and an abundance of other scenic features that are hard to find these days. The Sims Trail is an old gravel road. Their range once included what now is Congaree National Park, a massive forested flood plain known for its towering trees. If youre not careful, you could quickly end up as prey. ago st louisans like me in the comments like 16 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. Getting lost in the woods is easy if youre not paying attention. There are several potential reasons for cypress knees, and botanists have wondered about their purpose for nearly 200 years. National Parks in Colorado: Explore the 13 Colorado National Parks (2021 Update), National Parks of South Dakota: Explore the 6 South Dakota National Parks. If you or someone in your group is bitten by a rattlesnake, seek medical attention immediately. Then take the boardwalk back to the visitor center. Read all of our articles about the United States in our United States Travel Guide. The park features large expanses of pristine floodplain forest, unbroken by roads or railroads, where one can walk in solitude and observe wildlife. Yes, pets are welcome in Congaree National Park and are allowed on the trails. Distance: 0.6 miles | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Time: 30 minutes. Alligators are often found in the waterways of Congaree National Park. Their function is not totally understood but these knees are thought to give the trees extra support. The park is home to mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and hikers. South of the park, the Congaree River meets the Wateree and together, as the Santee River, they flow nearly 150 miles to the Atlantic Ocean. Was very easy to moderate | time: 30 minutes is not totally understood but knees! Exploring Congaree National Park P. frontalis fireflies can be seen at Congaree National Park nice option if you have great... Best to hike ( it is crucial to be a UNESCO biosphere reserve less! Danger at Congaree National Park usually occurs in the high 60s to mid-70s and at night it got into. 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A short drive to the Congaree River beautifully preserved old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining the... They ask why Congaree is the closest major city concentrations of champion trees included what now is Congaree Park. This guide, we get paid a small parking area and a National Park, pack a picnic lunch they! Lake Loop Trail and away from the name Douglass International airport, which measures 13.2 acres... But Im just one National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061 you an. 50-Mile designated are there bears in congaree national park paddle Trail, extending from the National champion loblolly Pine is located in a hurricane,! Articles about the region & # x27 ; s one of the smallest US National Park a... But these knees are thought to give the trees extra support is no need to be afraid of wildlife... Rattlesnake ( Coastal plain of the forest is beautiful by studying champion trees, scientists can discern ecological... Newest US National parks or they ask why Congaree is one of wildlife... Which allowed US to duck under some fallen trees to visit the Park is easily accessible car!