Learn more about available resources. Its the most upscale restaurant listed here and a nice option if you are looking for a fine dining experience. The dynamic and diverse natural landscape that makes up Congaree National Park is defined by the presence of both flood and flame. It has an onsite restaurant and it is 10 minutes closer to Congaree than the hotels in downtown Columbia. And these campsites can be reserved on Recreation.gov. This is perfect to help us plan our itinerary! 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. It depends. Their function is not totally understood but these knees are thought to give the trees extra support. There are several ways to do this, depending on how much time you have and how much you like canoeing or kayaking. The species is abundant in 27,000-acre Congaree National Park, about 15 miles southeast of Columbia. You can canoe part or all of this trail. Wise Lake | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. The current total is somewhere around 206 species that have been seen at the park. By comparison, there are slightly more than 1,107 species of birds known to science across the U.S., meaning that nearly 20% of the countrys birds have been spotted in Congaree. I only recommend this hike for those who are looking for a long hike away from the crowds. Plan your hike into the Congaree wilderness. This lake is surrounded by old growth trees. . We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. NPS Photo. Brown water snakes are especially likely to be seen on this portion of the trail, on overhanging branches or piles of woody debris. It isnt uncommon for Congaree visitors to spot a few snakes hanging from trees as they canoe down the river. Not In Park: Species is not known to occur in park. When fully operational, the park may have about 19 or 20 employees. The swamp is the ideal dwelling for frogs, salamanders . At 26,000 acres, it is the 7th smallest park. As an avid birder, Manchester is excited about one species in particular. I get why this park often makes peoples worst national parks or they ask why Congaree is a National Park. Keep looking and you will start to notice smaller details and see the wildlife. For more ideas on canoe trips, visit the National Park Service website. Wise Lake is located near the trail junction for the Weston Lake Loop Trail and River Trail. 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. 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. Winter is mild and the flooding is frequent. They eat everything., Although some activities have been impacted by Covid-19, many of them are beginning to become operational again. You can either pick up the canoe from their office in Columbia, or for an additional fee, have them deliver it right to the canoe launch. 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. We were on the observation deck at the end of the boardwalk. We had a visit planned to the park March 2021, and cancelled it because the boardwalks were flooded. One of the birds that weve seen in the park thats more elusive is the limpkin, a long-legged bird that eats snails, Manchester says. Plain-bellied Water Snake swimming in small pool in Congaree, South Carolina, United States, One of Congarees arboreal snakes sunning itself on a tree branch, The animal that the park really worries about is the hog. The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park. The park features large expanses of pristine floodplain forest, unbroken by roads or railroads, where one can walk in solitude and observe wildlife. View all alerts NEARBY PARKS: Great Smoky Mountains, Mammoth Cave, New River Gorge, and Shenandoah. In 2003, it was designated an Important Bird Area. 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 . The trail offers excellent birdwatching, and hikers may spot deer, raccoons, opossums, and even bobcat tracks. Members get 15+ publications right in your pocket. 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. Getting to the tree is a bit tricky. If your visit is part of a bigger road trip, here are the driving distances and times to nearby destinations: Inside of Congaree National Park, your only option is tent camping. Crossing over the old, rickety bridges with views of the forest is beautiful. 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. With Congaree National Park, you need to change your scope of reference. See a glimpse of what Congaree National Park has to offer, including champion trees, kayaking and canoeing opportunities, and wilderness for exploration and rejuvenation. This trail leads out to the southern channel of Bates Old River, an oxbow lake created by a hurricane in 1852. When we did this hike, it was dry and the trail was very easy to hike (it is completely flat). But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Other common sightings include the white-tailed deer, skinks, and brown water snakes. What is a bottomland forest? Distance: 11.1 miles | Difficulty: Easy to difficult | Time: 4 to 6 hours. Although theyre often large, the black rat snake poses no threat to humans. I hope you have a better experience, wherever you plan to go next. Congaree is one of the smallest US national parks. Make sure your visit is safe and enjoyable. Interesting Facts about Congaree National Park, Geography and Maps of Congaree National Park, Best Things to Do in Congaree National Park. For comparison, in the same year, 4.42 million people flocked to Yosemite National Park. There are signs here that direct you to Wise Lake. These floods deposit fresh, nutrient rich soil across the landscape that helps to maintain the health of this ecosystem. We stayed at the Hilton Columbia Center and had a great experience but the Graduate Columbia, Staybridge Suites Columbia, Aloft Columbia Downtown, and the Courtyard Columbia Downtown all are highly rated and have a great location in downtown Columbia. Humans have inhabited the area that is now Congaree National Park for at least 10,000 years. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Learn more here. Photos taken by a park volunteer show a large cottonmouth . In the spring, the park expects to resume ranger-led canoe tours. This is a park where you want to slow your roll and enjoy the little things. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. We love bourbon and this is our favorite restaurant in Columbia. The area isnt great habitat for them as the area isnt marshy or swamping unless the river is flooding. The Sims Trail is an old gravel road. After a heavy flooding, the Boardwalk Loop Trail, and other trails on this list, can temporarily close. This trailhead is labeled on our interactive map. The area has amazing biodiversity. We will help you avoid the crowds as well as find the best Congaree hikes, and where to stay. Visitation peaks from March to May. The Sims Trail provides another moderate hike, taking adventures 3 miles down a gravel road and into the forest. 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. Click on the Congaree Map above to download the official brochure map. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 29061, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. 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. 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. Lots of it. Hotels near Congaree National Park: (8.99 mi) PRIVATE Half a House between Columbia and Sumter, SC. They negatively impact the health of the forest ecosystem. We later spotted a few frogs hanging out on the door to the bathroom at the visitor center in the early morning. If you are a birdwatcher, this is the best trail in the park. But its going to be our highest visiting year ever, says Manchester. At the visitor center, pick up a hiking trail guide and this lists each trail with its corresponding number. Those who are interested in participating in the event can enter into the lottery system for $1. File should be in the following format: taxon name, description, occurrence status, establishment means. In order to go fishing in the park, you must have a valid South Carolina fishing license. The National Park Passport Books is one of the best and cheapest souvenirs. Watch your step! Since this park is so small, you only need a half to a full day to see the highlights. Do you have any questions about Congaree National Park, let us know in the comments below or need help planning your National Park trips. 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. Dont be: Manchester notes that only two people have been bitten by snakes during his tenure in the park, and only three in total over the entire 46-year history of the park. The park plans to hold its annual Firefly Festival this May. "The Unprepared" is a short film made by Congaree National Park staff, with help from park volunteers and Eastern National staff. Visit in the fall for optimal leaf-peeping opportunities. The trail ends at Cedar Creek Landing, which is marked by an iron bridge over the creek. Of the estimated 30 million acres of bottomland forests that once covered the USA, only 40% remains. Paste in a bunch of names, 1 per line, and hit the button! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. In other parts of the floodplain, slight changes in elevation have helped to create a variety of different ecosystems that support a diverse array of plants, mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects, as well as trees such as giant old-growth oaks and massive loblolly pines. 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. Hours of Operation: The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Cedar Creek Bridge | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park, Cedar Creek | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. Below is a map from the National Park Service. Fishing is allowed in all areas of Congaree National Park. Don't be left out in the dark. As for the dogs and I, we preferred looking into the swamp from above, where we were more likely to be able to see snakes from a safe distance. The highlights, in our opinion, are walking the Boardwalk Loop Trail and kayaking or canoeing on Cedar Creek. If you want to see the synchronous fireflies, plan your visit for the end of May to early June. Personally, Congaree isnt the worst National Park. . Use dissolvable iodine tablets. A few of the snakes we saw today on Cedar Creek in Congaree National Park We saw the one pictured below making its way across Weston Lake from East to West. 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. PRO TRAVEL TIP: This park floods on a regular basis. Once the trail turns to the left, look for cypress trees standing in water off on the right side of the trail. Follow this for another tenth of a mile and you come to this low area, filled with tupelos and bald cypress trees. The lowest point in Congaree National Park is Congaree River which is 80 feet (24m) above sea level. The Boardwalk | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. The total ascent for this hike is a mere 60 feet. The Weston Lake Loop Trail loops through old growth forest, where you can see more tupelo and bald cypress trees. The bourbon list is extensive. The park is home to 21 different species, including venomous snakes like copperheads, cottonmouths and rattlers. We saw a few fishermen along Cedar Creek while we were canoeing. This blog post had me looking forward to visiting Conagree last month. This short film includes messaging to educate visitors about Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR). people visited the park over the course of the year. To the right is a metal trail marker with a #7 on it. Check lists for individual taxa that live here, e.g. If you have dont have a National Park Passport Book click here to learn more about the program or click here to buy. And those who are particularly adventurous can also take advantage of the parks dispersed camping, or kayak and canoe off of the creek. The park has about 16 full-time permanent staff, and a number of seasonal staff members that come and go. Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! SC Cypress trees feature a network of horizontal roots (pneumatophores) which are believed to aerate the trees swamp-covered roots. Both snakes have red, black, and yellow color bands on their body and telling them apart is a little confusing. When alligators are seen, they are usually found at the southern end of the park along the river. 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. Giant constrictor snakes - like the boa constrictor released in Congaree National Park Sunday - are plaguing southern Florida, and many of the invasive species appear to be moving. The General Greene tree is located here. 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. Congaree National Park lies within the floodplain of the Congaree River. 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 can only find reports of one venomous snakebite in the park and that was to a poacher who was handing a copperhead. Learn how to become a Congaree Junior Ranger! At 26,000 acres, it is the 7th smallest park. 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. The park now known as Congaree National Parks is on Santee, Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East), Wateree, and Congaree land. For more restrictions and information, visit the NPS website. Comparatively, the Grand Canyon has about 500 staff members during the peak season. 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. At the midpoint of the hike, you get a view of the Congaree River, but its not worth it, not for an 11 mile round trip hike (if you want a view of the Congaree River from a hiking trail, do the 2.2 mile Bates Ferry Trail instead). The food is very good (Cajun and Creole) but the main reason to put this restaurant on your list is for the bourbon. You can also spend a half day to a full day on Cedar Creek. It is just a 30-minute drive to get between Columbia and Congaree National Park. The park is home one of the largest concentrations of champion trees. Distance: 0.6 miles | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Time: 30 minutes. This off-the-beaten-path hike is worth it if you want to hike a quieter trail, see the Congaree River, and search for one of the oldest, grandest trees in the park. and all of Eastern Europe. Bourbon was our favorite restaurant. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. In total, there are around 21 varieties of snakes that live here. When the trail rejoins with the boardwalk, walk out to the viewpoint of Weston Lake. Julie Last updated: March 19, 2023 United States 6 Comments. February 25, 2019, 6:38 AM. 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. 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061-8320. IMPORTANT: Do NOT stamp your government issued passport. 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. The boardwalk trail is an elevated path through the bottomland, where you can see giant tupelos and bald cypress trees standing in the water. Time required: 12-14 hours. Sunscreen Use it. It might be a snake slithering up a tree. Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park. Park visitors can camp at the parks campgrounds year round. This is where the majority of the hiking trails start, including the wonderful Boardwalk Loop Trail. Congaree is champion trees. Seeing this fallen tree was one of the most memorable parts of this hike. From these hotels, you can easily walk or Uber to some great restaurants. Hiking trails are marked with small white signs like the one on this tree. 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. #1 of 6 things to do in Hopkins. 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. Pass it through a filter that can remove particles as small as one micron. The species is abundant in 27,000-acre Congaree National Park, about 15 miles southeast of Columbia. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Proper clothing is essential. Download the app. one day itinerary for Congaree National Park. The short walk on the boardwalk at the start of the hike is the best part. The park has mild winters with warm, wet summers. And the black rat snake was a testament to our success. The summers see temperatures in the up 90s degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity making it seem much hotter.
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