Cedar Creek is a very slow moving creek. When alligators are seen, they are usually found at the southern end of the park along the river. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. Daytime highs were in the high 60s to mid-70s and at night it got down into the 40s. The summers see temperatures in the up 90s degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity making it seem much hotter. 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. 29061, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. One or more Occurrence Tags may be associated with each Occurrence value. 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. These are not marked, and it is very easy to get turned around if you wander onto one. Present: Species occurs in park; current, reliable evidence available. Please review the Congaree Pet Policy before bringing your dog to Congaree. Adjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries. Proper clothing is essential. Save. February 25, 2019, 6:38 AM. If you want to see the synchronous fireflies, plan your visit for the end of May to early June. We also had a very nice dinner at Saludas. There is a reason that Congaree is of the few National Parks to be a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It is the best way to experience this park. , the tallest in the eastern U.S. and higher than many other old-growth forests. 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. The park features large expanses of pristine floodplain forest, unbroken by roads or railroads, where one can walk in solitude and observe wildlife. 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. If you are a birdwatcher, this is the best trail in the park. You can go hiking, kayaking, canoeing, or camping under a tent. Part of Sims Trail bisects the Boardwalk Loop Trail and this part of Sims trail is not worth it, since you miss seeing the bottomland forests. more information on current conditions Visit our keyboard shortcuts docs for details. 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. And the black rat snake was a testament to our success. We listed 10 things to do in Congaree National Park. The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park. We were visiting Congaree National Park, confident that a magnificent snake was waiting to be spotted nearby. Columbia is 20 miles northwest of Congaree and is the closest major city. and is subject to periodic flooding which occurs approximately ten times each year. For more ideas on canoe trips, visit the National Park Service website. 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. They are non-venomous, but, like all creatures, should be given space. Congaree National Park is famous for its mosquitoes and biting insects. Thank you for sharing and being so thorough with everything! Weston Lake Loop Trail (4.6 mi), Oakridge Trail (7.5 mi), and King Snake Trail (11.1 mi) where hikers may spot deer, raccoon, opossum, and even bobcat tracks. Get updates on road conditions and trail closures, as you plan your trip and just before your visit, on the National Park Service website. Harry Hampton Visitor Center Open Year Around. This makes visiting Congaree National Park a unique and fun opportunity. Each person should carry should carry a minimum of 1 liter of water, though 2 liters is recommended. Sunscreen Use it. If you have two days in Congaree National Park, Get updates on road conditions and trail closures, as you plan your trip and just before your visit, on the. 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. GETTING TO THE BATES FERRY TRAILHEAD: This trail is located in the far eastern section of Congaree National Park on Highway 601. #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. Of the roughly 125 species of fireflies in the U.S., only a small number of them exhibit this kind of synchronicity. Wise Lake is one of the prettiest spots that we saw in Congaree National Park. Photo: scgerding/iStock via Getty Images, It was a rainy winter morning when my dogs jumped out of the car, ready to put their sniffers to good use. Flooding tends to occur during the winter months. The flooding, from what I read, usually occurs in the winter into early spring. Due to logging and the clearing of the landscape for farming and the building and expansion of cities and towns over the past 400 years, only a few scattered remnants of these once common ecosystems persist. 100 National Park Road The trail ends at Cedar Creek Landing, which is marked by an iron bridge over the creek. Unknown: Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous. On the left will be an unmaintained road. How high is the water, ranger? While these snakes are venomous and if bitten you could be killed, bites are extremely rare and are almost always provoked. May 1974: Congaree National Park 2) American national park in central South Carolina, 18 miles southeast of the state capital, . False Report: Species was reported to occur within the park, but current evidence indicates the report was based on misidentification, a taxonomic concept no longer accepted, or other similar problem of error or interpretation. The wet environment makes planning difficult, but its also what makes the park such an ecological wonder. Congaree National Park Length: 7.6 mi Est. Non-native: Species occurs on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human activities. While hiking in the backcountry of Congaree National Park, your safety is in your hands! Before planning your trip, and just before your visit, visit the National Park Service website for updates on park conditions to avoid any unfortunate surprises. There are a lot of great restaurants in Columbia. Make your reservation in advance! Like all of the hiking trails in Congaree, it is completely flat. In the spring and fall, temperatures are warm (daytime highs can get up into the 70s) and mosquitoes are low. At 26,000 acres, it is the 7th smallest park. GETTING HERE: On Google Maps, the trailhead is labeled Fork Swamp Trailhead. It is located on an access road on Highway 601. Once the trail turns to the left, look for cypress trees standing in water off on the right side of the trail. The trail offers excellent birdwatching, and hikers may spot deer, raccoons, opossums, and even bobcat tracks. The Weston Lake trail is a good place to see wading birds. The full list also contains species that are "in review" because their status in the park hasn't been fully determined. If youd like a PDF copy of this Congaree Mapclick here. IMPORTANT: Do NOT stamp your government issued passport. Carry a flashlight, even if you are only planning for a day hike. The 2.4 mile boardwalk loop originating from the visitor center is a popular place to start. Hiking trails are marked with small white signs like the one on this tree. Congaree National Park is "the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland. The most popular hiking trail in Congaree is the 2-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail, which can be taken directly from the visitors center. Additional details about the status of each species is included in the full list. 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. This national park protects the oldest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. . This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Nature & Parks, National Parks. 5 Things You CANT MISS in Conagree National Park, The Quick Guide to Visiting Denali National Park National Park and Preserve. It proceeded to spread its wings to dry them and we got a couple great photos of it while it did. 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. 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. Julie Last updated: March 19, 2023 United States 6 Comments. When we did this, the trail was dry. Congaree National Park is a 27,000-acre park in Hopkins, South Carolina. Canoeing and Kayaking Canoeing and Kayaking Canoeing Cedar Creek NPS Photo Planning Your Congaree Canoe Adventure! More Information on the US National Parks: Read all of our articles about the United States in our. Curious what species of plants and animals can be found at 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. The humidity makes it feel worse and mosquitoes are at their highest levels at this time. Always plan ahead and prepare. 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.
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