Be sure to . Sweetgum, oak, hickories, common persimmon, and southern magnolia have taken over some of the area that used to be occupied by longleaf pines, and these hardwoods create a closed canopy (instead of open, like longleaf pines). It climbs to 167 feet and is almost 15 feet in circumference. If I sound too enthusiastic, you'll have to bear with me: Spring in the South is one of the most glorious times of the year. Interesting Facts about Congaree National Park, Geography and Maps of Congaree National Park. Many of the bears are believed to have traveled from Pennsylvania or New York, and may return there at the end of the summer. Hiking alone can be a great way to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. Visit Media to see details. Difficulty: Easy. There is a very large, grassy field for primitive camping with a public restroom a hike away at the entrance. 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. And finally, hike with a buddy and let someone know your plans. Distance: 0.6 miles | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Time: 30 minutes. Harry Hampton Visitor Center is located at 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061. *15% off Guided Kayak in CNP w/Carolina Outdoor Adventures $105 night 4.97 (513) SUPERHOST Cottage in Hopkins Tim and I canoed downstream on the creek, silently drifting past tupelos and bald cypress trees. The Congaree is a wetland forest, and indeed it seems like water is everywhere. *** 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. 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Reston, VA 20192, Region 2: South Atlantic-Gulf (Includes Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), Region 12: Pacific Islands (American Samoa, Hawaii, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). Its a beautiful part of Congaree National Park. The park has mild winters with warm, wet summers. How Much Time Should I Spend Visiting Denali National Park? Once the trail turns to the left, look for cypress trees standing in water off on the right side of the trail. The ten-mile long River Trail leads all the way to the Congaree River, a curling ribbon of placid water that forms the park's more than 25-river-mile long southern border. The Kingsnake Trail passes through sloughs of tupelo and cypress trees and runs along part of Cedar Creek. If a bear does attack, fight back with everything you have. First, let someone know where youre going and when you expect to be back. Here are a few of the common animals that you may encounter while exploring the park: That said, while most of the wildlife in Congaree National Park is harmless, there are a few animals that you should be aware of. Learn how to become a Congaree Volunteer! 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! Read more about the region's history. Species that are being treated are Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum), beefsteak (Perilla frutescens), shrub lespedeza (Lespedeza bicolor), Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), Chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), and kudzu (Pueraria montana). What is the best time to visit Congaree National Park? 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. If you encounter a rattlesnake, do not try to capture it or kill it. Learn more about prescribed burns, and how fire can be an essential tool in both preventing wildfires and helping certain ecosystems thrive. Learn more about the CBR. Acadia National Park, Maine. In Congaree National Park, the water is no different. Yes, pets are welcome in Congaree National Park and are allowed on the trails. The boardwalk trail is an elevated path through the bottomland, where you can see giant tupelos and bald cypress trees standing in the water. Motor Supply Company Bistro offers farm-to-table fare for lunch and dinner and the menu changes daily. Where are Acadia National Parks visitor centers? An official website of the United States government. One theory is that carbohydrates are stored within cypress knees in the presence of granules, however additional work needs to be complete to test whether this is correct. 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061-8320 Read Reviews of Congaree National Park Property types Motels Hotels All-inclusives B&Bs & Inns +35 Show more View Vacation Rentals Popular & up 76 Breakfast included162 4 stars 1 Hotels Amenities Free Wifi 211 Breakfast included162 Pool 151 Free parking 195 Show all Distance from 25+ mi Learn more on the NPS website. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Leave the area immediately and give the snake space. If you are a birdwatcher, this is the best trail in the park. General Greene Tree | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. By following these simple tips, you can have a safe and enjoyable experience hiking in Congaree National Park. The spring and fall see temperatures in the 70s. If you have dont have a National Park Passport Book click here to learn more about the program or click here to buy. We also had a very nice dinner at Saludas. Congaree National Park is known for the rich diversity of bird species. Safety Make sure your visit is safe and enjoyable. There are 18 confirmed species of snakes in Congaree. The total ascent for this hike is a mere 60 feet. 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. Yes, alligators can be found in Congaree National Park, but they are not common. And I have never cleared as many cobwebs off my face and clothes as I did on this hike. Campground Regulations The maximum number of people in a campsite: 8 people, 3 tents per individual site The number of cars per campsite: All cars must park in the gravel parking lot. The park is named for the Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) native to the Mojave Desert. Please review the Congaree Pet Policy before bringing your dog to Congaree. They have mapped the known territories to the best of the current knowledge and is a work in progress. It's also one of the best family-friendly trails for spotting wildlife. Its no secret that water is essential for survival. 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. Formerly the area that is Congaree National Park was home to red wolves, black bears and mountain lions. Our website uses cookies. Read all of our articles about the United States in our United States Travel Guide. Wildfires caused by lightning resulted in habitats and vegetation that needed fire to be healthy, but fire suppression techniques have caused a change in the ecosystem. More Information on the US National Parks: Read all of our articles about the United States in our. The flooding, from what I read, usually occurs in the winter into early spring. , Congaree National Park is dog-friendly. This makes visiting Congaree National Park a unique and fun opportunity. Catch and release fishing is encouraged. While the park is easily accessible by car, it does not have its own airport. It was elevated to National Monument status on November 10, 2003 and the misleading swamp was dropped from the name. The area has amazing biodiversity. Required fields are marked *. Congaree encounters Today, South Carolina has an estimated 1,200 resident black bears. When will congaree national park open? In this article, we will, Read More Closest Airports To Indiana Dunes National ParkContinue, Just 30 minutes south of the hustle and bustle of Miami, Biscayne National Park is an oasis of peace and quiet. The ramen noodle soups and dumplings are delicious. . We had a visit planned to the park March 2021, and cancelled it because the boardwalks were flooded. -- sprawling across thousands of acres of Congaree Swamp flood plain. Plan a field trip to Congaree National Park. We are near Congaree National Park, Columbia, University of SC, Ft. Jackson, Airport I-26 & Hwy 77. It might be a snake slithering up a tree. In Congaree, you can see some of the tallest Loblolly pines still alive today as well as bald cypress trees that are over 500 years old. The park covers over 26,000 acres, and it can be easy to lose your bearing if you're not paying attention to where you're going. The southern part of the Sims trail connects the Boardwalk Trail with the Weston Lake Trail, River Trail, and Oak Ridge Trail. Dallas is a hidden treasure trove of hiking trails! It is the largest bald cypress in Congaree National Park with a circumference of 30 feet. For more restrictions and information, visit the NPS website. With over 26,000 acres of forest and wetlands, Congaree is home to an abundance of wildlife. Congaree National Park is a national park located in the state of South Carolina. Fishing is allowed in all areas of Congaree National Park. Located in the Five Points neighborhood, this restaurant serves southern fare with a twist. Female P. frontalis fireflies are more difficult to find than the males because they are more susceptible to predation and hide to survive. (5.40 km) Cottage Tree House B&B (5.59 km) Gypsy camper (10.03 km) A Charming Country Cottage Nestled in the Woods (14.31 km) B & B Kampground; View all hotels near Congaree National Park on Tripadvisor From the Boardwalk Loop Trail, walk 0.6 miles on the Weston Lake Loop Trail until you get to the trail junction with the River Trail. If you want to take in Congaree National Park, it's easy to do one day: walk the boardwalk trail, go canoeing or kayaking on Cedar Creek, and explore the wilderness on one of the park's numerous hiking trails.. Until 2003, the Congaree Swamp National Park had been known as . I expect that Congaree will be in the bottom 75% but I dont have a passionate dislike. If you see a snake, give it space and dont mess with it. Lots of it. Bald Cypress knees | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) 162 ft tall, Firefly Festival (only found during the Firefly Festival). Pets may not be left unattended for any period of time. Ultimately firefly flashing is a mating ritual called a photic dialog. Winter in the southeast means no humidity and no bugs, making it an ideal season to paddle, hike, or fish at the park. Third, the park is remote, and there is no cell phone service. But once on the River Trail, it is a completely flat, monotonous walk through the forest. Those are the Copperhead, Canebrake Rattlesnake (Coastal Plain of the Southeast Timber Rattlesnake), and the Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth). On the left will be an unmaintained road. Congaree National Park hosts five national champion trees and 27 state champion trees, which can provide insights into old-growth ecosystems. It's the most recent park to gain that designation. To the right is a metal trail marker with a #7 on it. Learn how your comment data is processed. This trail's moderate length, mellowness, and beautiful wildflowers make it another of the most popular Congaree National Park hiking trails. There are some safety risks and concerns that hikers should be aware of, but overallthe park is a safe place to hike and explore. Guadalupe Mountains National Park - 219,987. Congaree National Park is open year-round. 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 highlights, in our opinion, are walking the Boardwalk Loop Trail and kayaking or canoeing on Cedar Creek. Get updates on road conditions and trail closures, as you plan your trip and just before your visit, on the National Park Service website. This picturesque park in Hopkins, South Carolina allows pets to wander all trails, including the boardwalk. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Peak fall colors occur at the beginning of November. Now, lets talk about Congaree National Park specifically. Congaree National Park - 204,522. 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! However, Congaree National Park is a relatively safe place to explore at night. The park is home to mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and hikers. Fireflies flash to communicate and each flash length is unique to a certain species. 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. 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. If you have additional information on the Indigenous nations boundaries, please let them know. If so, you are going to have an amazing time. 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