Personally, I think they have missed the point on Congaree, but I get where they are coming from. Congaree officially became a national park on November 10, 2003. Allowed occurrence status values: present, common, uncommon, irregular, doubtful, absent Distance: 12 miles out-and-back | Difficulty: Easy to difficult | Time: 5 to 7 hours. If you have dont have a National Park Passport Book click here to learn more about the program or click here to buy. As water levels change, you could have obstacles along the creek that impede your progress. This green frog was hanging out on a plant above the flood waters when we spotted it from the boardwalk. Congaree National Park Length: 7.6 mi Est. But once on the River Trail, it is a completely flat, monotonous walk through the forest. Visit in the fall for optimal leaf-peeping opportunities. We didnt get to see any knees since they were all under water. And the black rat snake was a testament to our success. 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. and is subject to periodic flooding which occurs approximately ten times each year. 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. 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. But I will admit that Congaree isnt my favorite but I did have fun exploring the park and I do make a point to stop and visit it when Im in the area. If you have a half day in Congaree National Park. It might be a snake slithering up a tree. PRO TRAVEL TIP: This park floods on a regular basis. Their function is not totally understood but these knees are thought to give the trees extra support. Located just outside of Columbia, SC, Congaree National Park provides visitors with an opportunity to enjoy the beauty and wonder of the natural world in a largely untouched setting. 100 National Park Road The dynamic and diverse natural landscape that makes up Congaree National Park is defined by the presence of both flood and flame. Cedar Creek is a very slow moving creek. In 2019, about 12,000 people came to catch Photuris frontalis, a local species of firefly that flashes in unison. Tim and I canoed downstream on the creek, silently drifting past tupelos and bald cypress trees. 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. The bottomland region that makes up much of Congaree National Park is regularly covered by floodwaters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Colas Restaurant, Mr. Friendlys New Southern, Alodias Cucina Italiana (located outside of Columbia), and Midwood Smokehouse also get very good reviews. 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. The species is abundant in 27,000-acre Congaree National Park, about 15 miles southeast of Columbia. Thank you for sharing and being so thorough with everything! It may also deter fireflies from getting too close to the wrong species, some of which are cannibalistic. Its well worth it, as it points out both natural and historical sights along the trail. Yes, Congaree is worth visiting. 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. There are four venomous snakes that live in the park. If theyre selected as a participant, the remaining fee is $19. Congaree National Park, about 15 miles southeast of Columbia, contains 27,000 acres of the species so be careful if you take a stroll! Congaree is home to an incredible variety of wildlife including bobcats, deer,armadillos, turkeys, and alligators, but its best known for the large number of bird species that have been spotted in the park. Watch your step! In the spring, the park expects to resume ranger-led canoe tours. It is 168 ft tall and has a circumference of 181 inches. Congaree National Park was created on October 18, 1976, as a Congaree Swamp National Monument. In both the spring and fall, Congaree gets about 3 inches of rain per month. In order to go fishing in the park, you must have a valid South Carolina fishing license. The Kingsnake Trail explores a remote part of Congaree National Park. This park sits inside the Congaree River floodplain. Congaree National Park is a wonderful place to visit. Congaree National Park is bordered to the south by the Congaree River, which creates slow-moving creeks, oxbow lakes, and swampy areas throughout the park. File should be in the following format: taxon name, description, occurrence status, establishment means. Congaree National Park is located in South Carolina. At this junction, you can retrace your steps back to your starting point or add the Weston Lake Trail or the Oakridge Trail. But Im just one National Park Obsessed person and I think the worst National Park is Gateway Arch. Cedar Creek flows west to east through the center of the park. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Your email address will not be published. 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. Alligators cant nest in the park because of frequent flooding, but they do live in the Congaree 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 health and survival. Each person should carry should carry a minimum of 1 liter of water, though 2 liters is recommended. The total ascent for this hike is a mere 60 feet. Not In Park: Species is not known to occur in park. It isnt uncommon for Congaree visitors to spot a few snakes hanging from trees as they canoe down the river. IMPORTANT: Do NOT stamp your government issued passport. 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. For more information about the best times to visit the national parks, check out our Best National Parks Month-by-Month Guide. However, the poisonous snakes typically avoid people. Visitation peaks from March to May. Congaree National Park is a place of tremendous ecological diversity. The cost is currently $10 for individual sites, $20 for group sites, and $5 at the Bluff Campground. We didnt see much in the way of wildlife, but Cedar Creek is beautiful, and to drift along the water, listening to the birds and the crickets, and to see these majestic old trees, was a very memorable experience. #1 of 6 things to do in Hopkins Nature & Parks, National Parks 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061-8320 Save 42kRun Houston 158 61 Spiders, Snakes and Mosquitos Review of Congaree National Park Reviewed August 1, 2017 A nice visitor center with friendly Rangers and a film on the park. Yes, alligators can be found in Congaree National Park, but they are not common. The park features large expanses of pristine floodplain forest, unbroken by roads or railroads, where one can walk in solitude and observe wildlife. . It is the largest bald cypress in Congaree National Park with a circumference of 30 feet. Remember: A little planning goes a long way towards making sure your hiking trip is a safe and pleasant one. *** 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. On the left will be an unmaintained road. First introduced into South Carolina in the. If it is on a trail, find a route around it or wait for it to move on its own. Congaree is one of the smallest US national parks. Weston Lake Loop Trail | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park, Weston Lake Overlook | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. 5 Things You CANT MISS in Conagree National Park, The Quick Guide to Visiting Denali National Park National Park and Preserve. Additional details about the status of each species is included in the full list. , the tallest in the eastern U.S. and higher than many other old-growth forests. The animal that the park really worries about is the hog. Looking for a cheap National Park souvenir? The trailhead is also marked on our interactive map. For more ideas on canoe trips, visit the National Park Service website. The highest temperature recorded at Congaree National Park was 104 degrees F in 1999. Hours of Operation: The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. life jacket/PFD, bug spray, personal locator beacon). Its a beautiful part of Congaree National Park. 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. Cypress trees feature a network of horizontal roots (pneumatophores) which are. Local. We had to postpone our trip several times since many of the trails flooded and closed right before our visit. Most hikers get into trouble on the trail because of improper preparation. When fully operational, the park may have about 19 or 20 employees. The National Park Service rangers have current trail . According to the EPA, a bottomland hardwood forest is a river swamp. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The park is a great place to fish; however, please read and understand the rules and regulations carefully. Wise Lake is one of the prettiest spots that we saw in Congaree National Park. Stamps located here: Congaree National Park is a unique and special place. 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. This trail can be linked with the Boardwalk Loop Trail for a longer journey. From the visitors center, Congaree National Park seems unassuming a place that families might use as a picnic area during the spring and fall. You can go hiking, kayaking, canoeing, or camping under a tent. The dynamic and diverse natural landscape that makes up Congaree National Park is defined by the presence of both flood and flame. We had bright sunny skies each of the three days that we were here. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. At the next trail junction, go left to continue on the Weston Lake Loop Trail and head back towards the Visitor Center. The park is home to 21 different species, including venomous snakes like copperheads, cottonmouths and rattlers. It might be a deer silently moving in the woods. There are a lot of great restaurants in Columbia. 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. It gets its name since this is a good place to see the synchronous fireflies in May and June. These are not marked, and it is very easy to get turned around if you wander onto one. Its completely flat and very well marked with trail signs along its entire distance.