Plan a field trip to Congaree National Park. For more restrictions and information, visit the NPS website. SC Are dogs allowed in Acadia National Park? 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. Download the app. 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. Congaree National Park appears in our Best US National Parks in March, Best US National Parks in May, and Best National Parks in November articles. At 26,000 acres, it is the 7th smallest park. There are several ways to do this, depending on how much time you have and how much you like canoeing or kayaking. This was our second favorite hike in Congaree, with #1 being the Boardwalk Loop Trail. From these hotels, you can easily walk or Uber to some great restaurants. There are limited food options in Gadsden and the best place to grab a bite to eat is in Columbia, South Carolina. Cedar Creek Bridge | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park, Cedar Creek | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. Your email address will not be published. The dynamic and diverse natural landscape that makes up Congaree National Park is defined by the presence of both flood and flame. Dress in layers that can be easily removed depending on conditions, and carry a rain jacket, even if the forecast is calling for sun. 2h 10m This trail gets washed out from flooding rivers and experiences blow-down regularly. Entrance Fee: There is no fee to enter Congaree National Park. The difficulty can vary based on conditions in the park. 100 National Park Road Congarees floodplain forest has one of the highest temperate deciduous forest canopies in the world, with an average height of over 100 feet. There are 18 confirmed species of snakes in Congaree. 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. Along the bluffs on the northern edge of the floodplain stands an upland pine forest. Those who are interested in participating in the event can enter into the lottery system for $1. 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. Voice over for Audio Description by Amanda Hardin. Let me know in the comments or join me in my National Park Trip Planning Community! We did not hike this trail, choosing the River Trail instead. We had three nights here, so we tried three different restaurants as well as one spot for lunch. 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. At this junction, you can retrace your steps back to your starting point or add the Weston Lake Trail or the Oakridge Trail. In the spring, the park expects to resume ranger-led canoe tours. Marie in Michigan! The Weston Lake Loop Trail loops through old growth forest, where you can see more tupelo and bald cypress trees. I hope you have a better experience, wherever you plan to go next. In 2019, about 12,000 people came to catch Photuris frontalis, a local species of firefly that flashes in unison. 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. But its going to be our highest visiting year ever, says Manchester. The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park. Search our species database below. 5 Things You CANT MISS in Conagree National Park, The Quick Guide to Visiting Denali National Park National Park and Preserve. Yes, Congaree is worth visiting. This trail leads out to the southern channel of Bates Old River, an oxbow lake created by a hurricane in 1852. The Weston Lake Loop Trail will follow alongside Cedar Creek for almost one mile. It is the best way to experience this park. Personally, Congaree isnt the worst National Park. 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. The cost is currently $10 for individual sites, $20 for group sites, and $5 at the Bluff Campground. The bottomland region that makes up much of Congaree National Park is regularly covered by floodwaters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers. 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. 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. Temperatures frequently get up into the high-90s and even up over 100F. There are four venomous snakes that live in the park. Fishing is allowed in all areas of Congaree National Park. Congaree National Park South Carolina Info Alerts 5 Maps Calendar Fees Alerts In Effect Park Closures Standing Water on Trails Due to recent high-water levels, many trails currently have areas of standing water. Trails NOT affected include Boardwalk, Bluff, Firefly, & Longleaf Trails. The tree is named for Revolutionary War general Nathanael Greene. Congarees has the USs tallest Pine Loblolly. These trees make up one of the highest forest canopies in the world. Add an Observation. Congaree National Park lies within the floodplain of the Congaree River. While its still not understood exactly what the purpose of the behavior is, many scientists believe that the male fireflies light up in unison to attract females. Id seen plenty of rat snakes before, and Ive always appreciated them because of their sheer size, and varied appetite. Please review the Congaree Pet Policy before bringing your dog to Congaree. Congaree National Park has existed since only 2003, but the beauty and importance . But they can just as easily be found at the ground level. Its completely flat and very well marked with trail signs along its entire distance. The park is home to 21 different species, including venomous snakes like copperheads, cottonmouths and rattlers. While hiking in the backcountry of Congaree National Park, your safety is in your hands! and all of Eastern Europe. The checklist will almost always contain fewer species than the full list. This hike is quick and easy, as long as it is not flooded or muddy. Today, Congaree National Park helps preserve examples of these now uncommon natural landscapes and the diverse plant and animal life they support, as well as allowing visitors to experience and learn about what makes them so unique, as well as why they are worth saving. Menkoi Ramen House. Allowed occurrence status values: present, common, uncommon, irregular, doubtful, absent Their work led to Congaree becoming a national monument in 1976. We later spotted a few frogs hanging out on the door to the bathroom at the visitor center in the early morning. Hotels near Congaree National Park: (8.99 mi) PRIVATE Half a House between Columbia and Sumter, SC. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Like all of the hiking trails in Congaree, it is completely flat. Its the most upscale restaurant listed here and a nice option if you are looking for a fine dining experience. 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. Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. 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These trees have been known to grow as tall as 120 feet, and their trunks can be as large as six feet in diameter. Park visitors can camp at the parks campgrounds year round. During this time, the fireflies synchronously flash as they search for a mate. Due to the pigs fast gestation period, its extremely difficult to control feral pig populations, though the park works with the USDA to keep their numbers down. *** 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. Cedar Creek is a very slow moving creek. Its nice but we liked the Boardwalk Trail more. And those who are particularly adventurous can also take advantage of the parks dispersed camping, or kayak and canoe off of the creek. It was elevated to National Monument status on November 10, 2003 and the misleading swamp was dropped from the name. Cypress trees feature a network of horizontal roots (pneumatophores) which are. Below is a pileated woodpecker that we saw while on the low boardwalk (west side). The Sims Trail is an old gravel road. 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. Our website uses cookies. So it was totally the poachers fault. These forests are found along the floodplains of rivers in the southeast United States. They negatively impact the health of the forest ecosystem. Music by David Fesliyan at Fesliyanstudios.com. The boardwalk trail is an elevated path through the bottomland, where you can see giant tupelos and bald cypress trees standing in the water. Outside of going to see the fireflies, I wouldnt make a special trip to visit but I would stop for another visit if I was in the area. It was shortly after a rain storm and we saw it fly across the lake and land in a tree across the lake. Congaree National Park is open year-round. This is where the majority of the hiking trails start, including the wonderful Boardwalk Loop Trail. The trailhead is also marked on our interactive map. These cookies do not store any personal information. Congaree Mosquito Meter in November | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. Do you think this fall (2022) they will have any floods? In fact, it was our favorite experience here. Here are all the locations where you can find the Congaree National Park Passport Stamp. 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. 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. There is a 15 mile trail called the Cedar Creek Canoe Trail, that starts at Bannisters Bridge and ends at the Congaree River. The spring and fall see temperatures in the 70s. 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. Post Summary: Visiting Congaree National Park. SC It is the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. What is a bottomland forest? Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) Last seen on August 11, 2021 in Congaree National Park, Richland County, US-SC, US | 0 comments. It is 168 ft tall and has a circumference of 181 inches. Is this your business? If you have dont have a National Park Passport Book click here to learn more about the program or click here to buy. The best time to visit Congaree National Park is in the spring and the fall. , the tallest in the eastern U.S. and higher than many other old-growth forests. Print (Subscriber . The park has about 16 full-time permanent staff, and a number of seasonal staff members that come and go. Alligators cant nest in the park because of frequent flooding, but they do live in the Congaree area. Visit in the fall for optimal leaf-peeping opportunities. Canoeing and Kayaking Canoeing and Kayaking Canoeing Cedar Creek NPS Photo Planning Your Congaree Canoe Adventure! It is the largest bald cypress in Congaree National Park with a circumference of 30 feet. The Congaree National Park (formally the Congaree Swamp National Monument) is an old growth flood plain forest located near Columbia, South Carolina. 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. Do not leave marked trails. Their function is not totally understood but these knees are thought to give the trees extra support. This trail starts at the Cedar Creek Canoe Launch and ends at the junction with the Weston Lake Trail and Oakridge Trail. 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. Its more typical in Florida, and its expanding its range.. to aerate the trees swamp-covered roots. May 1974: Congaree National Park 2) American national park in central South Carolina, 18 miles southeast of the state capital, . Once the trail turns to the left, look for cypress trees standing in water off on the right side of the trail. Were still waiting on the final numbers as our stars team go through and clean the data. The best way to do this hike is to start on the Boardwalk Loop Trail, hiking this in a counter-clockwise direction. Coral snakes have a VERY similar coloration to the kingsnake which is found in the park. Photos taken by a park volunteer show a large cottonmouth . There are numerous hotels in Columbia to choose from. The Boardwalk | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. It might be a deer silently moving in the woods. Unknown: Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous. This blog post had me looking forward to visiting Conagree last month. The typical tour costs $70 per person, and takes participants through some of the parks most active waterways. We were on the observation deck at the end of the boardwalk. During the summer months, Congaree is hot and humid. While these snakes are venomous and if bitten you could be killed, bites are extremely rare and are almost always provoked. Get updates on road conditions and trail closures, as you plan your trip and just before your visit, on the National Park Service website. In 1983, Congaree became an International Biosphere Reserve. The lowest point in Congaree National Park is Congaree River which is 80 feet (24m) above sea level. We had a late lunch here and it was excellent. This park sits inside the Congaree River floodplain. Congaree National Park, about 15 miles southeast of Columbia, contains 27,000 acres of the species so be careful if you take a stroll! The National Park Service rangers have current trail . Sadly, when we arrived, the whole place was flooded even half of the boardwalk was under water. Also a great option for canoeists with two vehicles, this trip allows paddlers to explore the wilder eastern section of the park and float down the Congaree . The parks cypress trees are one of the areas most peculia, features. Each person should carry should carry a minimum of 1 liter of water, though 2 liters is recommended. It might be a snake slithering up a tree. Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent. The Bluff Trail is located north of the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and passes through loblolly and longleaf pines. Out of the mainland USs national parks, its the third-least-visited east of the Mississippi, after Dry Tortugas and Isle Royale. Don't be left out in the dark. But it actually isnt a swamp, its a floodplain. 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. 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. #1 of 6 things to do in Hopkins. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I get why this park often makes peoples worst national parks or they ask why Congaree is a National Park. Have a suggestion or comment on this list? 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. You can also spend a half day to a full day on Cedar Creek. There is a reason that Congaree is of the few National Parks to be a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve is on the south side of the Congaree River and has a bluff that is a great place to see birds flying over the park. The Firefly Trail is a flat trail that runs through the woods just to the south of the visitor center. These floods deposit fresh, nutrient rich soil across the landscape that helps to maintain the health of this ecosystem. Always plan ahead and prepare. If you have one day in Congaree National Park. 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 National Champion Loblolly Pine is located in Congaree. Hiking trails are marked with small white signs like the one on this tree. Probably Present: High confidence species occurs in park but current, verified evidence needed. Congaree National Park protects, studies, and interprets the resources, history, stories, and wilderness character of the nations largest remaining tract of southern old-growth bottomland forest and its associated ecosystems. But it actually isnt a swamp, its a floodplain. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Hiking with a partner increases your chances of survival in an emergency situation. #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. View all alerts We are headed to Charleston next month and plan to stop at Congaree National Park. The Sims Trail provides another moderate hike, taking adventures 3 miles down a gravel road and into the forest. According to the EPA, a bottomland hardwood forest is a river swamp. 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. When alligators are seen, they are usually found at the southern end of the park along the river. Where the cypress trees grow, cypress kneesvertical outgrowths of the cypress rootscan also be found protruding from the surface of the water. Adjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries. 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. The Bluff Campground is also near the visitor center, but campers will have to hike at least a mile to get to their campsite. This is a park where you want to slow your roll and enjoy the little things. Below is a map from the National Park Service. 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The closest major airport is located in Columbia, South Carolina, which is about a 30 minute drive from Congaree National Park. It climbs to 167 feet and is almost 15 feet in circumference. The dynamic and diverse natural landscape that makes up Congaree National Park is defined by the presence of both flood and flame. How Much Time Should I Spend Visiting Denali National Park? The species is abundant in 27,000-acre Congaree National Park, about 15 miles southeast of Columbia. To the right is a metal trail marker with a #7 on it. Additional details about the status of each species is included in the full list. 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. Cook, Little Brown Skink from Congaree National Park, Hopkins, SC, US on May 05, 2021 at 03:36 PM by Richard Joyce, Common Five-lined Skink from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on April 28, 2023 at 12:12 PM by In the Blink of a Shutter, Broad-headed Skink from Congaree National Park, South Carolina 29061, USA on April 25, 2023 at 03:37 PM by Karli Sinclair, Common Garter Snake from Hopkins, SC 29061, USA on April 02, 2023 at 02:25 PM by Maggie Martin, Red-bellied Snake from Congaree National Park, Richland County, US-SC, US on August 11, 2021 at 01:57 PM by Richard Joyce, Dekay's Brownsnake from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on April 15, 2023 at 02:05 PM by Ian Gourdin, Brown Watersnake from Gadsden, SC 29052, USA on April 21, 2023 at 02:06 PM by logankparr, Common Watersnake from Richland County, SC, USA on May 20, 2022 at 11:52 AM by Will Kostick, Banded Watersnake from Richland County, SC, USA on April 15, 2023 at 07:57 AM by johngrego, Plain-bellied Watersnake from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on April 23, 2023 at 11:28 AM by Hannah, ring-necked snake from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on April 02, 2022 at 04:09 PM by dbryant21, Eastern Worm Snake from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on February 26, 2022 at 04:49 PM by Richard Joyce, Eastern Hognose Snake from Richland County, SC, USA on September 24, 2021 at 02:35 PM by johngrego, North American Racer from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on April 22, 2023 at 05:08 PM by Nicole Lowder, Scarletsnake from Congaree National Park, Hopkins, SC, US on May 27, 2022 at 10:11 PM by Richard Joyce, Rough Greensnake from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on April 15, 2023 at 03:39 PM by Juliana Smith, Eastern Kingsnake from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on May 01, 2021 at 05:09 PM by nathanc553, Eastern Ratsnake from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on April 22, 2023 at 10:15 AM by infinitesupernova, Northern Cottonmouth from Congaree National Park, Gadsden, SC, US on April 28, 2023 at 05:26 PM by lcarnley, Other Check Lists for Congaree National Park, Bird Check List for Congaree National Park, Create a new check list for Congaree National Park .