National Park Obsesseds Detailed Guides to Denali National Park, Road Trips that Include Zion National Park, Other Articles featuring Acadia National Park, National Park Service units within a 4 hours drive, National Park Service units within an 8 hours drive, Pin for Later: Visiting Denali National Park National Park and Preserve: The Complete Guide, Congaree National Park Foundation Document, National Park Passport Book click here to learn more, Visiting Conagree National Park: The Complete Guide, 7 Things You Cant Miss on Your First Visit to Congaree National Park. The area isnt great habitat for them as the area isnt marshy or swamping unless the river is flooding. Its more of a casual indifference. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Welcome to the Congaree National Park - the largest national park of virgin bottomland forest in the whole of the United States. Fun Facts about Denali National Park and Preserve, When to Visit Denali National Park and Preserve, How to Get to Denali National Park and Preserve. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your hike is as safe as possible. Interesting Facts about Congaree National Park Geography and Maps of Congaree National Park Best Things to Do Planning Your Time When to Go How to Get Here Where to Stay Where to Eat Plan Your Visit. As you drive south on Highway 601, the turn off for the trailhead is located just past the bridge that crosses Bates Old River. There are several ways to do this, depending on how much time you have and how much you like canoeing or kayaking. (2023). Pinnacles National Park - 275,023. Photo by Miguel Vieira/Flickr. NEARBY PARKS: Great Smoky Mountains, Mammoth Cave, New River Gorge, and Shenandoah. Let me know in the comments or join me in my National Park Trip Planning Community! Wildfires caused by lightning resulted in habitats and vegetation that needed fire to be healthy, but fire suppression techniques have caused a change in the ecosystem. There are more alligators on the South Carolina coast and in the Lowcountry than in Columbia. Congaree National Park. Of the estimated 30 million acres of bottomland forests that once covered the USA, only 40% remains. 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. We listed 10 things to do in Congaree National Park. We will be traveling through on Oct 12 & 21. Do you have any questions about Congaree National Park, let us know in the comments below or need help planning your National Park trips. Congaree is one of the smallest US national parks. Coral snakes have a VERY similar coloration to the kingsnake which is found in the park. If it is on a trail, find a route around it or wait for it to move on its own. Cedar Creek is a very slow moving creek. Required fields are marked *. It's also celebrating its 20th anniversary . Hiking alone can be a great way to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. The highest temperature recorded at Congaree National Park was 104 degrees F in 1999. Remember to bring plenty of water and snacks. (5.40 km) Cottage Tree House B&B (5.59 km) Gypsy camper (10.03 km) A Charming Country Cottage Nestled in the Woods (14.31 km) B & B Kampground; View all hotels near Congaree National Park on Tripadvisor If you use an outfitter like River Runner, they can drop your canoe or kayak at the starting point and pick you up at the endpoint. and all of Eastern Europe. Hopkins, SC - Congaree National Park, located about 30 minutes east of Columbia, South Carolina is home to the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States.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 . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Paddle the 50-mile designated recreational paddle trail, extending from the state capital of Columbia downstream to Congaree National Park. Since last summer, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources has received a number of reports about bears in lower Richland County and across the Congaree River in Calhoun County adjacent to the national park. Menkoi Ramen House. If service dog, bring paperwork. The park is home one of the largest concentrations of champion trees. This is the best walk in the park. 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. Wise Lake | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. The trails vary between easy short trails, and a couple of longer trails that are over ten miles in a loop. The park now known as Congaree National Parks is on Santee, Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East), Wateree, and Congaree land. Looking for a cheap National Park souvenir? You can go hiking, kayaking, canoeing, or camping under a tent. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. (2023)Continue, Indiana Dunes National Park is located in northwestern Indiana, on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Tupelo trees sit alongside slow moving creeks and oxbow lakes. Largest US National Park: Wrangell-St. Elias in Alaska, which measures 13.2 million acres. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Comprising nearly 11,000 hectares, Congaree National Park is the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. There are other short trails in the park. In this guide, we cover the best things to do in Congaree National Park. This has become such a popular event that in 2021 the National Park Service began a lottery system. At Congaree National Park, there are two main options for camping in the backcountry: the Longleaf and Bluff campgrounds. If you have dont have a National Park Passport Book click here to learn more about the program or click here to buy. It contains three state-listed species of concern, including the bald eagle, American swallow-tailed kites, and wood stork, with 30 other priority species. While they generally avoid humans, it is crucial to be aware of their presence and give them space. I like to call Congaree, America's forgotten national park. These forests are found along the floodplains of rivers in the southeast United States. Cedar Creek flows west to east through the center of the park. The Firefly Trail is a flat trail that runs through the woods just to the south of the visitor center. We saw a few fishermen along Cedar Creek while we were canoeing. There are frequently signs of rooting from the wild pigs around . Congaree National Park is a national park located in the state of South Carolina. Pets welcome at $25 per pet. The park covers over 26,000 acres, and it can be easy to lose your bearing if you're not paying attention to where you're going. If youre hiking during the winter, you need to be aware of the possibility of ice and snow. Seeing Wise Lake is also very nice. You can also use a water filter or water purificationtablets. The Sims Trail is an old gravel road. Congaree is one of the least visited National Parks so the park isnt all that busy even during the busy season. In Congaree National Park, the water is no different. The closest major airport is located in Columbia, South Carolina, which is about a 30 minute drive from Congaree National Park. Daytime highs were in the high 60s to mid-70s and at night it got down into the 40s. boardwalk through the congaree national park, south carolina, usa - congaree national park stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images Horse Racing: Wood Memorial, Victor Espinoza in action aboard Congaree at Aqueduct Race Track, Jamaica, NY 4/14/2001 For more information,read our detailed one day itinerary for Congaree National Park. Wet and swampy, the wide floodplain is relatively undeveloped, and at its far end lies Congaree National Park. If youre not careful, you could quickly end up as prey. This team also is removing the native invasive sweetgum to restore the longleaf pine habitat in part of the park. This hike is quick and easy, as long as it is not flooded or muddy. The park is also home to some dangers that hikers and outdoor lovers should be aware of before they venture out.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'hikersdaily_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',164,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hikersdaily_com-medrectangle-4-0'); One of the biggest dangers at Congaree National Park is the terrain. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. There were no signs labeling this access road but the GPS coordinates for the turn off are 334544.7N 803833.7W. 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. Walk about 20 feet farther and to your right will be a trail leading into the woods. Quick Facts About The US National Parks. Congaree is one of the smallest US national parks. Maine's Acadia National Park is one of the best national parks for dogs for a few reasons. During a visit to Congaree National Park, the number one thing to do is walk the Boardwalk Loop Trail. Black Bear Pass: The . There are . There are 18 confirmed species of snakes in Congaree. It's also one of the best family-friendly trails for spotting wildlife. Fireflies flash to communicate and each flash length is unique to a certain species. The Bates Ferry Trail is really not all that exciting. Congaree National Park Located less than 20 miles southeast of Columbia, encompass over 26,000 acres of woodland with 15,000 of those acres designated as wilderness area. It has an onsite restaurant and it is 10 minutes closer to Congaree than the hotels in downtown Columbia. So it was totally the poachers fault. 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061, USA. The highlights, in our opinion, are walking the Boardwalk Loop Trail and kayaking or canoeing on Cedar Creek. Distance: 12 miles | Difficulty: Easy to difficult | Time: 5 to 7 hours. It might be a deer silently moving in the woods. But downed trees and flooding can create difficult conditions. Interesting Facts about Congaree National Park, Geography and Maps of Congaree National Park. There are a few key things to remember when hiking Congaree National Park to stay safe and have a great time. Its well worth it, as it points out both natural and historical sights along the trail. GETTING TO THE BATES FERRY TRAILHEAD: This trail is located in the far eastern section of Congaree National Park on Highway 601. Leave the area immediately and give the snake space. An official website of the United States government. Cheers, Julie. Gus gave us a great overview of Cedar Creek and told us what to keep an eye out for as we paddled on the creek. However, if you encounter a bear, do not approach it. bears live in the mountains north or Greenville or along the coast west of Myrtle Beach. Congaree National Park is a 27,000-acre park in Hopkins, South Carolina. Hours of Operation: The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. We were following the Congaree River Blue Trail, a 50-mile water trail established in 2007 by . Make yourself as small as possible and back away slowly. Having the canoe delivered to Cedar Creek made the logistics super easy. The area isn't great habitat for them as the area isn't marshy or swamping unless the river is flooding. Learn how your comment data is processed. Make sure your visit is safe and enjoyable. Cypress trees are found within Congaree National Park. Yes, Congaree is worth visiting. This national park protects the oldest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. If a bear does attack, fight back with everything you have. Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) 162 ft tall, Firefly Festival (only found during the Firefly Festival). Within Congaree National Park there are 1,220 taxa, including 33 amphibians, 45 reptiles, 71 fish, 191 birds, 37 mammals, 328 terrestrial plants, 512 wetland plants, and three aquatic plants. Walk the Boardwalk Loop Trail. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Each trail has a different number. 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! Learn more about available resources. This large carnivore has a huge home range that could encompass half-a-dozen bear territories. 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. If you are bitten by a snake, try to get a picture of it and then head for the nearest hospital. However there are several airports within a reasonable distance that you can use to fly into the area. Their range once included what now is Congaree National Park, a massive forested flood plain known for its towering trees. ago I don't think anyone that has been to gateway arch thinks congaree is the worst national park. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Other scientists have suggested that cypress knees assist in the trees in nutrient accumulation during flooding events. Here are a few of the common animals that you may encounter while exploring the park: That said, while most of the wildlife in Congaree National Park is harmless, there are a few animals that you should be aware of. The CBR Core Protected Area includes 15,269 acres of Congaree National Park, all of which are federally designated wilderness. The trees that live here (usually bald cypress, oaks, gums, and tupelos), are able to survive these seasonal (and sometimes year-round) floods. The Kingsnake Trail passes through sloughs of tupelo and cypress trees and runs along part of Cedar Creek. Hiking In Dallas: 15 Stunning Hikes Near Dallas, Texas, Closest Airports To Indiana Dunes National Park, Is Joshua Tree National Park Safe? The trailhead is also marked on our interactive map. Distance: 4.5 miles | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 2 to 3 hours. It might an otter swimming in the river. If you have additional information on the Indigenous nations boundaries, please let them know. They negatively impact the health of the forest ecosystem. You can also spend a half day to a full day on Cedar Creek. I have no idea. Humans have inhabited the area that is now Congaree National Park for at least 10,000 years. Their function is not totally understood but these knees are thought to give the trees extra support. A lock () or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. At the visitor center, pick up a hiking trail guide and this lists each trail with its corresponding number. We didnt get to see any knees since they were all under water. If you have any questions about things to do in Congaree National Park, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below. If so, you are going to have an amazing time. Some even reach an astounding height of 170 feet, creating one of the highest forest canopies in the world. 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Day to a full day on Cedar Creek while we were canoeing water trail in... Creek made the logistics super easy hike is as safe as possible trees and runs along of! The next time I comment and kayaking or canoeing on Cedar Creek flows west to East through the of!, find a route around it or wait for it to move its.: Wrangell-St. Elias in Alaska, which measures 13.2 million acres of bottomland forests that once covered the,. Lock ( ) or https: // means youve safely connected to the Carolina... Humans, it is on a trail, a 50-mile water trail established in 2007 by like to Congaree.