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. Stamps located here: Congaree National Park is a unique and special place. GETTING TO THE BATES FERRY TRAILHEAD: This trail is located in the far eastern section of Congaree National Park on Highway 601. While the park is easily accessible by car, it does not have its own airport. Congaree encounters Today, South Carolina has an estimated 1,200 resident black bears. History and Culture Humans have inhabited the area that is now Congaree National Park for at least 10,000 years. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. If you love spending time outdoors and enjoying all that nature has to offer, Congaree National Park is the place for you! It might an otter swimming in the river. 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. It climbs to 167 feet and is almost 15 feet in circumference. Each trail has a different number. The lowest point in Congaree National Park is Congaree River which is 80 feet (24m) above sea level. Make yourself as small as possible and back away slowly. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. When we did this, the trail was dry. At this junction, you can retrace your steps back to your starting point or add the Weston Lake Trail or the Oakridge Trail. Are dogs allowed in Acadia National Park? The Congaree is a wetland forest, and indeed it seems like water is everywhere. Learn how to become a Congaree Volunteer! They negatively impact the health of the forest ecosystem. Virgin . Alligators are often found in the waterways of Congaree National 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 is a beauty to this area, its just on a smaller scale. Harry Hampton Visitor Center Open Year Around. 5 Things You CANT MISS in Conagree National Park, The Quick Guide to Visiting Denali National Park National Park and Preserve. (2023)Continue, Indiana Dunes National Park is located in northwestern Indiana, on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. If you see an alligator, do not approach it, and keep your pets away from the water. It is a special place and worthy of being a National Park. Congaree National Park. When we did this hike, it was dry and the trail was very easy to hike (it is completely flat). Your email address will not be published. There are signs here that direct you to Wise Lake. Their function is not totally understood but these knees are thought to give the trees extra support. This team also is removing the native invasive sweetgum to restore the longleaf pine habitat in part of the park. Read more about the region's history. 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. This trail leads out to the southern channel of Bates Old River, an oxbow lake created by a hurricane in 1852. If you have a half day in Congaree National Park, walk the Boardwalk Loop Trail and consider adding on the Weston Lake Trail with the detour to Wise Lake. Another hypothesis is that cypress knees provide mechanical support that acts as an anchor during fluctuating water levels. 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). First, the park is home to some potentially dangerous wildlife, including snakes and alligators. Of the estimated 30 million acres of bottomland forests that once covered the USA, only 40% remains. Cheers, Julie. However, there's one specific grizzly bear that's not like the others, and it resides at Yoho National Park in eastern British Columbia, Canada. However, there are a few things to remember to stay safe while hiking in the park. There are South Carolina State Parks close by that offer RV camping. Check out our park calendar to see what's coming up! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Plan a field trip to Congaree National Park. Hopkins Along the way, there are sandbars, ancient bluffs and all manner of wildlife. Plan today at Ameriparks. Last Update: Jan 03, 2023. . What is a bottomland forest? What is the best time to visit Congaree National Park? Here are all the locations where you can find the Congaree National Park Passport Stamp. 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. Where to stamp your National Parks Passport Book? When alligators are seen, they are usually found at the southern end of the park along the river. 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). Champion trees are trees which are the tallest or largest in either the state or nation. Congaree officially became a national park on November 10, 2003. In 2021, 215,000 people visited this park, making it the 12th least visited national park in the United States. Phone +1 803-776-4396. Be sure to watch your step and take your time in areas where the footing is uncertain. One of Acadia's main attractions is its historic carriage roads on Mount Desert Island, which now serve as hiking and cycling trails. What is the max size you can keep striped bass in Congaree River? Once I visit all the national parks, Ill sit down and rank them. Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer: HikersDaily is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I like to call Congaree, America's forgotten national park. Its more of a casual indifference. Congaree National Park is located in South Carolina. Where are Acadia National Parks visitor centers? Hotels near Congaree National Park: (14.38 km) PRIVATE Half a House between Columbia and Sumter, SC. This is where the majority of the hiking trails start, including the wonderful Boardwalk Loop Trail. Congaree National Park is a 27,000-acre park in Hopkins, South Carolina. Congaree National Park is known for the rich diversity of bird species. The best viewing spots are near the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. 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. We were following the Congaree River Blue Trail, a 50-mile water trail established in 2007 by . National Parks in Colorado: Explore the 13 Colorado National Parks (2021 Update), National Parks of South Dakota: Explore the 6 South Dakota National Parks. Lots of it. In the following sections, we will cover these dangers in more detail to prepare you for your next trip to Congaree. Hike with a buddy. Both are located in the upland pine forests of the park and offer a spectacular wooded setting for those looking for a challenge. You can canoe part or all of this trail. Humans have inhabited the area that is now Congaree National Park for at least 10,000 years. 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. Two water trails allow paddlers to navigate the biggest remaining old-growth forest floodplain in America via the Congaree River or Cedar Creek trails. 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. With Congaree National Park, you need to change your scope of reference. Spread over approximately 34 square miles of forest and wetlands, the park is home to several beneficial resources including forests, freshwater bodies, and various native species of plants and animals. There are invasive species within Congaree National Park, and the Southeast Coast Exotic Plant Management Team manages exotic plants throughout the park. (The park was originally designated Congaree Swamp National Monument in 1976.) This is perfect to help us plan our itinerary! 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. Paddling upstream is not problem at all and really not any harder than going downstream, at least when we did this. At 2 pm, our canoe was delivered by Gus from River Runner Outdoor Center. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The park is home to mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and hikers. bears live in the mountains north or Greenville or along the coast west of Myrtle Beach. Untreated water from lakes, rivers, and streams can contain harmful bacteria and viruses that can make you sick. This lake is surrounded by old growth trees. Seeing Wise Lake is also very nice. 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. Congaree National Park occupies about 40 square miles and consists mostly of river bottom hardwood forest -- sweet gum, water oak, tupelo, cypress, loblolly pine, etc. Journey into the heart of the park on Cedar Creek. Spanning a staggering 26,276 acres, Congaree National Park is an enormous place to explore on foot or by water, making for a marvelous experience for hikers and nature enthusiasts. The park is a great place to fish; however, please read and understand the rules and regulations carefully. Cedar Creek Bridge | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park, Cedar Creek | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. Drifting along Cedar Creek in a kayak or canoe is the one of the best things to do in Congaree National Park. The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is the main hub for the park. Boiling water for one to three minutes is an effective way to killmost bacteria and viruses. Walk the boardwalk trail through the forest, go kayaking or canoeing on Cedar Creek, go birdwatching and fishing, and, if you like, venture farther into the park on a number of other woodland trails. When the trail rejoins with the boardwalk, walk out to the viewpoint of Weston Lake. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Its the most upscale restaurant listed here and a nice option if you are looking for a fine dining experience. Winter in the southeast means no humidity and no bugs, making it an ideal season to paddle, hike, or fish at the park. On this trail, you will cross a metal bridge over a creek. Starting at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, this all-boardwalk trail makes a loop through some of the best scenery in Congaree National Park. It gets its name since this is a good place to see the synchronous fireflies in May and June. . There are currently two mugs available from the Yosemite Conservancy online here. Some of the tallest trees on the east coast are located inside Congaree, which was named after the Native American tribe that used to reside there. Located in the Five Points neighborhood, this restaurant serves southern fare with a twist. 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! Male and female fireflies have distinct flashes from one another. Anything is possible in the natural world, including a mountain lion showing up at Congaree, however briefly (where it should enjoy fine dining on the succulent swine herd). . The area isn't great habitat for them as the area isn't marshy or swamping unless the river is flooding. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. I expect that Congaree will be in the bottom 75% but I dont have a passionate dislike. However, during one study no direct evidence of nutrient acquisition was seen. There are a lot of great restaurants in Columbia. Congaree National Park is working to restore the historic landscape and vegetation, including the longleaf pine by conducting fire treatments. Post Summary: Visiting Congaree National Park. When he's not out exploring nature, David can be found learning about new adventures waiting to be explored. Some sites are . Formerly the area that is Congaree National Park was home to red wolves, black bears and mountain lions. The southern part of the Sims trail connects the Boardwalk Trail with the Weston Lake Trail, River Trail, and Oak Ridge Trail. 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. At the end of this short road is a small parking area and a National Park sign indicating the trailhead. This is a park where you want to slow your roll and enjoy the little things. Congaree National Park, Hopkins . . CONGAREE VINES also has a Log Cabin & Barn Bungalow available! But a bunch of wolves, deer, wild boars, bears, and foxes . Its always best to hike with at least one other person. Unlike many hardwood forests, Congaree was largely spared by the lumber . In this guide, we will be exploring Congaree National Park and providing helpful hints and tips for planning a trip to Congaree. 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. 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