I vaguely recollect a small camping area at the parking lot for those not wishing to hike in. 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). We will be traveling through on Oct 12 & 21. It boasts stunningly decorated caves, ancient trees, astonishing mountainous scenery, and an abundance of other scenic features that are hard to find these days. This national park protects the oldest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. Hours of Operation: The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Visitation peaks from March to May. (2023)Continue, Are you planning a hiking trip to Big Bend National Park? Of the estimated 30 million acres of bottomland forests that once covered the USA, only 40% remains. 29061, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. It takes 2 hours to drive to Congaree National Park from here. You can sample a wide range of bourbon or have one (or more) of their crafted cocktails. Congaree National Park elevated boardwalk trail. 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). Learn how your comment data is processed. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS IMPORTANT: Do NOT stamp your government issued passport. 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. Peak fall colors occur at the beginning of November. It is just a 30-minute drive to get between Columbia and Congaree National Park. Cheers, Julie. It turns out they don't just go to pools to drink, splash and frolic they also slip into the water to scrub their faces and ears and rinse themselves clean. *** 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. We had bright sunny skies each of the three days that we were here. It has to do with the color order but at the end of the day, it shouldnt matter while in the park, just take a picture and look it up later. There are no restaurants in Congaree National Park. There is a beauty to this area, its just on a smaller scale. There are a lot of great restaurants in Columbia. The General Greene Tree was recognized as a South Carolina Heritage Tree on December 7, 2018. Third, the park is remote, and there is no cell phone service. If so, you are going to have an amazing time. We were given hiking directions at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and have modified them: From the Bates Ferry trailhead, walk 0.4 miles. Not quite a swamp but also unlike any mountain forest you've ever seen, Congaree National Park is a unique park. There are 2 official stamps in Congaree National Park. Distance: 0.6 miles | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Time: 30 minutes. How high is the water, ranger? The city may not be known for its lush green scenery and vast natural beauty, but that doesnt mean there arent any surprises waiting on your next adventure. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Its always a good idea to let someone else know your hiking plans in casesomething happens. Pick a quiet area along the boardwalk and stop moving and just look around you. When the trail rejoins with the boardwalk, walk out to the viewpoint of Weston Lake. Do you think this fall (2022) they will have any floods? Its nice but we liked the Boardwalk Trail more. These species, however, no longer are found within the park. Congaree is one of the smallest US national parks. If youre not careful, you could easily lose your footing and end up injured. Located at the confluence of the . Are dogs allowed in Acadia National Park? You can also spend a half day to a full day on Cedar Creek. There are limited food options in Gadsden and the best place to grab a bite to eat is in Columbia, South Carolina. 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. 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. Cedar Creek is a very slow moving creek. One of Acadia's main attractions is its historic carriage roads on Mount Desert Island, which now serve as hiking and cycling trails. Those are the Copperhead, Canebrake Rattlesnake (Coastal Plain of the Southeast Timber Rattlesnake), and the Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth). Female P. frontalis fireflies are more difficult to find than the males because they are more susceptible to predation and hide to survive. The CBR Core Protected Area includes 15,269 acres of Congaree National Park, all of which are federally designated wilderness. Oldest US National Park: Yellowstone in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, which was established in 1872. The Congaree River is what gives it the name. By studying champion trees, scientists can discern optimum ecological conditions for these species. Once the trail turns to the left, look for cypress trees standing in water off on the right side of the trail. Learn more about the CBR. Sadly, when we arrived, the whole place was flooded even half of the boardwalk was under water. If youre not careful, you could quickly end up as prey. Get updates on road conditions and trail closures, as you plan your trip and just before your visit, on the National Park Service website. The Congaree River forms the southern border and out to the east there are a few short trails to hike. If service dog, bring paperwork. If you see a snake, give it space and dont mess with it. There's also a juried arts and crafts show, live entertainment performances, and more food everywhere you look. Congaree Trail Sign | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. At 26,000 acres, it is the 7th smallest park. Congaree is champion trees. The area has amazing biodiversity. Both snakes have red, black, and yellow color bands on their body and telling them apart is a little confusing. 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 . Congaree National Park hosts a viewing event for this phenomena. 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. Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your hike is as safe as possible. It is also a recreational space in which visitors can fish, camp, hike, and paddle. It is the best way to experience this park. Make sure your visit is safe and enjoyable. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This small park is quick and easy to visit. The loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), swamp tupelo (Nyssa aquatica), laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), possumhaw (Ilex decidua) and sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) are among the species that are in American Forests National Register of Big Trees. We're talking about a white grizzly bear, who the locals named Nakoda. Along the trail are numbers that correspond to the Self-Guided Boardwalk Trail brochure that you can pick up at the Visitor Center before you start this walk. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The park now known as Congaree National Parks is on Santee, Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East), Wateree, and Congaree land. Now that weve talked a bit about Congaree National Park, lets answer the question,Is Congaree National Park Safe? The answer is yes, Congaree National Park is safe! Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. Are there bears in Congaree National Park? 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. Located in central South Carolina near the state's capital of Columbia, this National Park is home to an incredible range of biodiversity. Interesting Facts about Congaree National Park, Geography and Maps of Congaree National Park. Hiking alone can be dangerous if you arent used to it. We are near Congaree National Park, Columbia, University of SC, Ft. Jackson, Airport I-26 & Hwy 77. South Carolina's Congaree National Park is a wilderness unlike any other. The total distance from the Bates Ferry Trail to the General Greene Tree is 0.2 miles. The National Park Passport Books is one of the best and cheapest souvenirs. The lowest point in Congaree National Park is Congaree River which is 80 feet (24m) above sea level. Learn more about available resources. Learn how to become a Congaree Volunteer! Water marks from flooding events can commonly be seen on Cypress trees. Like all of the hiking trails in Congaree, it is completely flat. Outside of the park, Columbia is the best place to stay (and eat). 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. Here are all the locations where you can find the Congaree National Park Passport Stamp. This trail leads out to the southern channel of Bates Old River, an oxbow lake created by a hurricane in 1852. Tupelo trees sit alongside slow moving creeks and oxbow lakes. Plan a field trip to Congaree National Park. Champion trees are trees which are the tallest or largest in either the state or nation. From this junction, you will walk about 100 meters to get to Wise Lake. There are two campgrounds, the Longleaf Campground and Bluff Campground, and you must make your reservation in advance. The trees that live here (usually bald cypress, oaks, gums, and tupelos), are able to survive these seasonal (and sometimes year-round) floods. The highest temperature recorded at Congaree National Park was 104 degrees F in 1999. 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. Along the way, there are sandbars, ancient bluffs and all manner of wildlife. There is a chance that downed trees can block the creek, forcing you to turn around or pull your kayak/canoe up onto land to carry it around the downed tree. The best time to see the fireflies is between 9 pm and 10 pm. On the left will be an unmaintained road. Both towns are just a short drive to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, which serves as the northern entrance to the national park. Congaree National Park, Hopkins . 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. And for the most part, the views dont change all that much over its 11 miles. Plan today at Ameriparks. This was our second favorite hike in Congaree, with #1 being the Boardwalk Loop Trail. Coral snakes have a VERY similar coloration to the kingsnake which is found in the park. See a glimpse of what Congaree National Park has to offer, including champion trees, kayaking and canoeing opportunities, and wilderness for exploration and rejuvenation. There are a few key things to remember when hiking Congaree National Park to stay safe and have a great time. Its always better to have too much than not enough. Looking for a cheap National Park souvenir? *15% off Guided Kayak in CNP w/Carolina Outdoor Adventures $105 night 4.97 (513) SUPERHOST Cottage in Hopkins Congaree National Park, near Columbia, South Carolina, is a beautifully preserved old growth bottomland hardwood forest adjacent to the Congaree River. Lots of it. It might an otter swimming in the river. The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is the main hub for the park. Journey into the heart of the park on Cedar Creek. We will help you avoid the crowds as well as find the best Congaree hikes, and where to stay. Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Congaree National Park was created on October 18, 1976, as a Congaree Swamp National Monument. 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. Make your reservation in advance! If you or someone in your group is bitten by a rattlesnake, seek medical attention immediately. There are invasive species within Congaree National Park, and the Southeast Coast Exotic Plant Management Team manages exotic plants throughout the park. -- sprawling across thousands of acres of Congaree Swamp flood plain. We visited Congaree from November 8 through November 10. Flashing begins shortly after sunset, lasting for an hour, and again just before dawn. Make yourself as small as possible and back away slowly. There are occasional black bear sightings in Northeast Ohio. The highlights, in our opinion, are walking the Boardwalk Loop Trail and kayaking or canoeing on Cedar Creek. Bear with govt while we sort out nation's finances, PM tells civil servants over salary review . And finally, hike with a buddy and let someone know your plans. 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. During this time, the fireflies synchronously flash as they search for a mate. What Are The Biggest Dangers At Congaree National Park? Post Summary: Visiting Congaree National Park. Another hypothesis is that cypress knees provide mechanical support that acts as an anchor during fluctuating water levels. Make yourself as small as possible and back away slowly. When he's not out exploring nature, David can be found learning about new adventures waiting to be explored. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) 162 ft tall, Firefly Festival (only found during the Firefly Festival). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. No fewer than 45 miles of carriage roads can be explored . Synchronous flashing displays are rare among North American fireflies, and the species of fireflies found within Congaree National Park live in a range that spans Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee with a preferred habit in mature forests and wet bottomlands. The park is full of steep hills and treacherous trails. Candid Cameras. These trees contain cypress knees which are distinctive cone-shaped structure that form above the roots of a cypress tree that can be seen on the surface. Bald cypress trees produce knees like the ones in the photo above. Boiling water for one to three minutes is an effective way to killmost bacteria and viruses. 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! Discover the best attractions, trails, directions, maps, dining, lodging and more. Acadia National Park, Maine. But a bunch of wolves, deer, wild boars, bears, and foxes . In the following sections, we will cover these dangers in more detail to prepare you for your next trip to Congaree. Tim and I were not fans of this hike, but Im listing it as a thing to do in Congaree National Park in order to provide some information about it. At 2 pm, our canoe was delivered by Gus from River Runner Outdoor Center. one day itinerary for Congaree National Park. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, wear sunscreen, and stay on the trails. We spent two hours canoeing on Cedar Creek, starting and ending at the Cedar Creek Canoe Launch. Last Update: Jan 03, 2023. . Its a beautiful part of Congaree National Park. When youre hiking and exploring the great outdoors, its essential to be aware of the safety of the water around you. 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