First introduced into South Carolina in the 1500s by explorers as a food source, today somewhere between 2 and 6 million feral pigs exist across the nation, predominantly making their homes in the south. This park sits inside the Congaree River floodplain. We had to postpone our trip several times since many of the trails flooded and closed right before our visit. Congaree officially became a national park on November 10, 2003. And the black rat snake was a testament to our success. There is a reason that Congaree is of the few National Parks to be a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Dekay's Brownsnake (Storeria . You can also spend a half day to a full day on Cedar Creek. The food is very good (Cajun and Creole) but the main reason to put this restaurant on your list is for the bourbon. Although we didnt run into any exotic or venomous snakes, the dogs and I were satisfied with our rainy Congaree visit; Our eyes were finally tuning into the subtleties of the swamp after a year of practice. This trail starts at the Cedar Creek Canoe Launch and ends at the junction with the Weston Lake Trail and Oakridge Trail. Fish, amphibians, deer, raccoon, feral pigs, bobcats, and numerous species of snakes and birds all find refuge inside this park. You can go hiking, kayaking, canoeing, or camping under a tent. It has an onsite restaurant and it is 10 minutes closer to Congaree than the hotels in downtown Columbia. From the visitors center, Congaree National Park seems unassuming a place that families might use as a picnic area during the spring and fall. Congaree is one of the smallest US national parks. Where most deciduous trees in the United States grow to be somewhere between 50-80 feet tall, Congarees tree canopy has an average height of. 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. You can canoe part or all of this trail. Due to logging and the clearing of the landscape for farming and the building and expansion of cities and towns over the past 400 years, only a few scattered remnants of these once common ecosystems persist. Heading out the door? Historical: Species' historical occurrence in park is documented. It gets its name since this is a good place to see the synchronous fireflies in May and 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 best time to see the fireflies is between 9 pm and 10 pm. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 4 more non-emergency alert notifications. Congaree National Park (U.S. National Park Service) So it was totally the poachers fault. The Boardwalk | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. Carry a flashlight, even if you are only planning for a day hike. In 2003, Congress officially designated the monument a National Park, and today, the parks 26,276 acres of land and water make it a terrific destination for outdoor activities of all kinds. 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. We are headed to Charleston next month and plan to stop at Congaree National Park. Hiking trails are marked with small white signs like the one on this tree. Congaree has been the location of a search for the Ivory-billed woodpecker in the past, a bird once thought extinct until it was seen in Arkansas in 2004. We did not hike this trail, choosing the River Trail instead. If youd like a PDF copy of this Congaree Mapclick here. It is a special place and worthy of being a National Park. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. General Greene Tree | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. We were given hiking directions at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and have modified them: From the Bates Ferry trailhead, walk 0.4 miles. It was elevated to National Monument status on November 10, 2003 and the misleading swamp was dropped from the name. 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. There is a . Along the Boardwalk Loop Trail in Congaree National Park, 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. The park has about 16 full-time permanent staff, and a number of seasonal staff members that come and go. When the trail rejoins with the boardwalk, walk out to the viewpoint of Weston Lake. Having the canoe delivered to Cedar Creek made the logistics super easy. Hopkins, 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. Best National Parks Month-by-Month Guide. In 1983, Congaree became an International Biosphere Reserve. 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. (3.37 mi) Cottage Tree House B&B (3.50 mi) Gypsy camper (6.27 mi) A Charming Country Cottage Nestled in the Woods (8.95 mi) B & B Kampground; View all hotels near Congaree National Park on Tripadvisor 100 National Park Road Alligators cant nest in the park because of frequent flooding, but they do live in the Congaree area. When we did this hike, it was dry and the trail was very easy to hike (it is completely flat). However, the poisonous snakes typically avoid people. The most popular hiking trail in Congaree is the 2-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail, which can be taken directly from the visitors center. 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. Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Seeing this fallen tree was one of the most memorable parts of this hike. Current Conditions - Congaree National Park (U.S. National Park Service) For comparison, in the same year, 4.42 million people flocked to Yosemite National Park. The park has about 16 full-time permanent staff, and a number of seasonal staff members that come and go. These trees have been known to grow as tall as 120 feet, and their trunks can be as large as six feet in diameter. *** I have seen venomous coral snakes listed as possible in the park in other sources but they are not on NPSs official wildlife list so I dont think they are in the park. When fully operational, the park may have about 19 or 20 employees. There are four venomous snakes that live in the park. #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. Flooding tends to occur during the winter months. 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. Congaree is one of the least visited National Parks so the park isnt all that busy even during the busy season. The highest temperature recorded at Congaree National Park was 104 degrees F in 1999. But downed trees and flooding can create difficult conditions. 29061, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Crossing over the old, rickety bridges with views of the forest is beautiful. Congaree National Park is in the Middle Atlantic coastal region and has a humid subtropical climate. The Sims Trail provides another moderate hike, taking adventures 3 miles down a gravel road and into the forest. Congaree is the only national park in South Carolina. The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is the main hub for the park. Congaree National Park is a place of tremendous ecological diversity. Usually, the fall season is the drier season to visit the park. Make sure your visit is safe and enjoyable. Native: Species naturally occurs in park or region. In this guide, we will be exploring Congaree National Park and providing helpful hints and tips for planning a trip to Congaree. Learn how to become a Congaree Volunteer! The trail narrows beyond this bridge. There were no signs labeling this access road but the GPS coordinates for the turn off are 334544.7N 803833.7W. Columbia is 20 miles northwest of Congaree and is the closest major city. Alligators Alligators can't nest in the park because of frequent flooding, but they do live in the Congaree area. It climbs to 167 feet and is almost 15 feet in circumference. Select stock photography provided depositphotos. The park plans to hold its annual Firefly Festival this May. We chose to have it delivered. 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. As an avid birder, Manchester is excited about one species in particular. One of our favorite things to do on this visit was go out to dinner. They negatively impact the health of the forest ecosystem. Allowed establish means values: native, endemic, introduced, Southern Toad from Congaree National Park, Hopkins, SC, US on April 15, 2023 at 10:53 PM by Ian Gourdin, Fowler's Toad from Congaree National Park, South Carolina, USA on August 05, 2010 by sea-kangaroo, Spring Peeper from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on March 17, 2022 at 07:33 PM by kfleenor, Pine Woods Tree Frog from Congaree National Park, Hopkins, SC, US on April 15, 2023 at 08:47 PM by Ian Gourdin, Squirrel Treefrog from Congaree National Park, Hopkins, SC, US on July 01, 2022 at 08:18 AM by charlotteandgranthaveseenit, Barking Treefrog from Congaree National Park, Hopkins, SC, US on May 22, 2021 at 09:25 PM by ac-soilgirl, Green Treefrog from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on April 15, 2023 at 02:51 PM by Ian Gourdin, Cope's Gray Treefrog from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on April 22, 2023 at 10:42 PM by Nicole Lowder, Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad from Congaree National Park, Hopkins, SC, US on April 16, 2023 at 09:37 AM by jennalollis, Southern Leopard Frog from Congaree National Park, South Carolina 29061, USA on February 20, 2023 at 03:10 PM by Maura, American Bullfrog from Richland County, SC, USA on August 14, 2022 at 02:30 PM by johngrego, Green Frog from Congaree National Park on April 22, 2023 at 11:01 AM by Valerie Hoyt-Parrish, Eastern Spadefoot from Richland County, SC, USA on June 16, 2018 at 11:21 PM by Kyle Finn, Marbled Salamander from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on April 22, 2023 at 07:05 PM by imlichenlucas, Atlantic Coast Slimy Salamander from Congaree National Park, Hopkins, SC, US on March 12, 2022 at 03:24 PM by pniebanck, Carolina Swamp Dusky Salamander from Congaree National Park, Richland, South Carolina, United States on May 15, 2022 at 10:52 AM by Brian White, Southern Two-lined Salamander from Richland County, SC, USA on December 07, 2019 at 03:35 PM by Ston Coles, Three-lined Salamander from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on April 22, 2023 at 11:38 PM by imlichenlucas, coastal plain dwarf salamander from Hopkins, SC 29061, USA on March 27, 2018 at 03:24 PM by Raina Eddy, Eastern Mud Salamander from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on April 17, 2021 at 02:19 PM by nathanc553, Greater Siren from Congaree National Park, Hopkins, SC, US on February 15, 2020 at 02:20 PM by johngrego, American Alligator from Weston Lake, Gadsden, SC, US on April 28, 2023 at 06:43 PM by lcarnley, Green Anole from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on April 22, 2023 at 05:15 PM by imlichenlucas, Eastern Slender Glass Lizard from 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061, USA on October 24, 2015 at 12:44 PM by Jos Garrido, Eastern Fence Lizard from Gadsden, SC 29052, USA on May 05, 2018 at 03:00 PM by E.D. Adjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries. Afternoon at Valley Forge National Historical Park in December 2017, We Bought Camping Air Pads to Review Next Year, Columbus Day Weekend in Acadia National Park, Two Days at Mammoth Cave National Park in September 2017, Our Day at Dry Tortugas NP via the Yankee Freedom III, Our June 2017 Stop in Everglades National Park, Visiting Colonial National Historical Park and Jamestown in June 2017, President Obama Designates Three National Monuments and Expands Two, President Obama Designates Two National Monuments, Our Christmas Eve Stop at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, 2 Day November Fall Foliage Trip to Shenandoah National Park, 3 Days in Yellowstone National Park in May 2016. For comparison, in the same year, 4.42 million people flocked to Yosemite National Park. For more information about the best times to visit the national parks, check out our Best National Parks Month-by-Month Guide. Congaree National Park is proud to be part of the Congaree Biosphere Region, designated by UNESCO. In this guide, we cover the best things to do in Congaree National Park. Cedar Creek flows west to east through the center of the park. Harry Hampton Visitor Center Open Year Around. Please review the Congaree Pet Policy before bringing your dog to Congaree. Waters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers sweep through the floodplain, carrying nutrients and sediments that nourish and rejuvenate this ecosystem and support the growth of national and state champion trees. Check conditions here! Brown water snakes are especially likely to be seen on this portion of the trail, on overhanging branches or piles of woody debris. The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is the main hub for the park. The area isnt great habitat for them as the area isnt marshy or swamping unless the river is flooding. With Congaree National Park, you need to change your scope of reference. We saw a few fishermen along Cedar Creek while we were canoeing. There are around 75 types of trees, nearly 200 species of birds, 75 species of reptiles/amphibians, and more than 50 species of fish and butterflies. Download the app. The General Greene tree is located here. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. We had a late lunch here and it was excellent. Champion trees are trees which are the tallest or largest in either the state or nation. Bald cypress trees produce knees like the ones in the photo above. It is a unique place and one of the last of its kind in the US. Where most deciduous trees in the United States grow to be somewhere between 50-80 feet tall, Congarees tree canopy has an average height of 100 feet, the tallest in the eastern U.S. and higher than many other old-growth forests. The park features large expanses of pristine floodplain forest, unbroken by roads or railroads, where one can walk in solitude and observe wildlife. When fully operational, the park may have about 19 or 20 employees. We later spotted a few frogs hanging out on the door to the bathroom at the visitor center in the early morning. Plan a field trip to Congaree National Park. We had three nights here, so we tried three different restaurants as well as one spot for lunch. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. There are frequently signs of rooting from the wild pigs around the park. Temperatures can be chilly but snow is unusual. The best viewing spots are near the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Sadly, when we arrived, the whole place was flooded even half of the boardwalk was under water. In 2003, it was designated an Important Bird Area. See a glimpse of what Congaree National Park has to offer, including champion trees, kayaking and canoeing opportunities, and wilderness for exploration and rejuvenation. Daytime highs were in the high 60s to mid-70s and at night it got down into the 40s. 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. Do not leave marked trails. When theyre not underwater, Congaree has 25 miles of hiking trails, and the parks waterways also make for a great canoe or kayaking trip for truly adventurous souls. We saw the one pictured below making its way across Weston Lake from East to West. We saw a Snowy Owl outside Sault Ste. On the left will be an unmaintained road. Congaree National Park is located in South Carolina. The Kingsnake Trail explores a remote part of Congaree National Park. Paddle the 50-mile designated recreational paddle trail, extending from the state capital of Columbia downstream to Congaree National Park. Carry plenty of water. During this time, the fireflies synchronously flash as they search for a mate. 2h 10m This trail gets washed out from flooding rivers and experiences blow-down regularly. 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 . Cypress trees feature a network of horizontal roots (pneumatophores) which are believed to aerate the trees swamp-covered roots. Interesting Facts about Congaree National Park, Geography and Maps of Congaree National Park, Best Things to Do in Congaree National Park. more information on current conditions Visit our keyboard shortcuts docs for details. Congaree is dedicated to providing meaningful, engaging opportunities to all individuals. Those who want to rough it can find a great camping experience in the wilderness. Boardwalk Loop - Congaree National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Congaree National Park is a place of tremendous ecological diversity. Cypress trees feature a network of horizontal roots (pneumatophores) which are. The Weston Lake trail is a good place to see wading birds. It was named a national park in 2003. The total ascent for this hike is a mere 60 feet. The typical tour costs $70 per person, and takes participants through some of the parks most active waterways. Visitation peaks from March to May. Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Entrance Fee: There is no fee to enter Congaree National Park. Local. If you're planning a visit in the spring or summer make sure to wear clothing that protects your skin and apply ample amounts of insect repellent. I slipped the dog leashes around my wrist, and began the hunt. February 25, 2019, 6:38 AM. At the trail junction, follow signs for Weston Lake and you will now be on trail #3 (there will be small, white signs on the trees with the number 3 on them). Congaree National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Home of Champions Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. It is 168 ft tall and has a circumference of 181 inches. 29061, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. The area has amazing biodiversity. Travel with a friend! With almost 80% of the park lying within the floodplain, these floods make the backcountry trails and even parts of the boardwalk inaccessible to visitors. Congaree National Park South Carolina Info Alerts Maps Calendar Fees Boardwalk Loop Ranger-led program on boardwalk NPS Photo/jt-fineart.com The 2.4 mile boardwalk is an excellent introduction to the park.The flat surface is accessible and provides a leisurely way to experience the Congaree wilderness. Copperhead, canebrake rattlesnake, cottonmouth and the rare coral snake. Let us know. Do you have any questions about Congaree National Park, let us know in the comments below or need help planning your National Park trips. Canoeing and Kayaking - Congaree National Park (U.S. National Park Service) NPS Photo. If you continue past the General Greene Tree, in about 0.1 miles you reach another unmaintained road to the right. Each trail has a different number. The park is a great place to fish; however, please read and understand the rules and regulations carefully. The trail ends at Cedar Creek Landing, which is marked by an iron bridge over the creek.