Just be sure to take some precautions to make sure you stay safe. Sunscreen Use it. The park features large expanses of pristine floodplain forest, unbroken by roads or railroads, where one can walk in solitude and observe wildlife. Discover the best attractions, trails, directions, maps, dining, lodging and more. For more ideas on canoe trips, visit the National Park Service website. Make yourself as small as possible and back away slowly. If you encounter a rattlesnake, do not try to capture it or kill it. Its always best to hike with at least one other person. It might be a deer silently moving in the woods. The park now known as Congaree National Parks is on Santee, Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East), Wateree, and Congaree land. 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). Congaree is one of the smallest US national parks. Learn more about the CBR. PRO TRAVEL TIP: This park floods on a regular basis. There are always risks associated with hiking alone, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt enjoy the experience of a solo hike. 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. The flooding, from what I read, usually occurs in the winter into early spring. Hike with a buddy. With over 26,000 acres of forest and wetlands, Congaree is home to an abundance of wildlife. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is the main hub for the park. There is a very large, grassy field for primitive camping with a public restroom a hike away at the entrance. If and when you get cell service, call 9-1-1 and let them know which hospital you are headed to. Acadia National Park, Maine. Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your hike is as safe as possible. Congaree encounters Today, South Carolina has an estimated 1,200 resident black bears. There are no restaurants in Congaree National Park. An official website of the United States government. 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! Bears are generally shy and avoid contact with humans. 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. It is 168 ft tall and has a circumference of 181 inches. It is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. You can sample a wide range of bourbon or have one (or more) of their crafted cocktails. There is no need to be afraid of the wildlife in Congaree National Park if you take the proper precautions. SC If you see a snake, give it space and dont mess with it. This is perfect to help us plan our itinerary! Peak fall colors occur at the beginning of November. 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. Just a half-hour outside of the state's capital, Congaree National Park is the only national park in South Carolina. When he's not out exploring nature, David can be found learning about new adventures waiting to be explored. The closest major airport is located in Columbia, South Carolina, which is about a 30 minute drive from Congaree National Park. For two weeks in mid-May and early June, synchronous quick flashes of male P. frontalis fireflies can be seen at Congaree National Park. Using large numbers of slaves, they hoped to clear the swampland to grow cash crops like cotton and tobacco. If you see an alligator, do not approach it, and keep your pets away from the water. History and Culture Humans have inhabited the area that is now Congaree National Park for at least 10,000 years. The cost is minimal, a $5.00 . Catch and release fishing is encouraged. There are some safety risks and concerns that hikers should be aware of, but overallthe park is a safe place to hike and explore. Do you think this fall (2022) they will have any floods? The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is the main hub for the park. The park is alsohome to the tallest tree in the Eastern United States. . Plan a field trip to Congaree National Park. We had three nights here, so we tried three different restaurants as well as one spot for lunch. The southern part of the Sims trail connects the Boardwalk Trail with the Weston Lake Trail, River Trail, and Oak Ridge Trail. South Carolina's Congaree National Park is a wilderness unlike any other. These forests are found along the floodplains of rivers in the southeast United States. (2023)Continue, Indiana Dunes National Park is located in northwestern Indiana, on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. There are currently two mugs available from the Yosemite Conservancy online here. Quick Facts About The US National Parks. Congaree National Park is a wonderful place to visit. If you just hike the Bates Ferry Trail, it is a 2.2 mile out-and-back hike that is completely flat and takes about an hour. 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). Congaree National Park is dog-friendly. Menkoi Ramen House. Newest US National Park: New River Gorge in West Virginia, which was established in 2020. The best time to visit Congaree National Park is in the spring and the fall. Boiling water for one to three minutes is an effective way to killmost bacteria and viruses. White Sands National Park, New Mexico. "We're a globally important bird area," says Ranger Jon Manchester. Largest US National Park: Wrangell-St. Elias in Alaska, which measures 13.2 million acres. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 29061, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Hiking trails provide access for all levels and time constraints and offer views that are both scenic and educational about this little-known treasure on the banks of the Congaree River. Starting at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, this all-boardwalk trail makes a loop through some of the best scenery in Congaree National Park. The best viewing spots are near the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. 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). 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). Camping is also permitted in the high-ground section of the park, where an actual campground . The best time to see the fireflies is between 9 pm and 10 pm. In the spring and fall, temperatures are warm (daytime highs can get up into the 70s) and mosquitoes are low. Congaree National Park is proud to be part of the Congaree Biosphere Region, designated by UNESCO. The trees that live here (usually bald cypress, oaks, gums, and tupelos), are able to survive these seasonal (and sometimes year-round) floods. When alligators are seen, they are usually found at the southern end of the park along the river. Now, lets talk about Congaree National Park specifically. Please review the Congaree Pet Policy before bringing your dog to Congaree. Oldest US National Park: Yellowstone in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, which was established in 1872. There are several other trees which are South Carolina campion trees. 340 Cheerchum27 10 mo. Its always better to have too much than not enough. 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. 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. Make sure your visit is safe and enjoyable. Congaree National Park protects towering trees and a varied plant and animal life. 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. Congaree National Park. If you have dont have a National Park Passport Book click here to learn more about the program or click here to buy. 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. For purchasing mugs inside the park, visit the following locations: Valley Visitor Center 9035 Village Drive YNP, CA 95389 Wawona Visitor Center at Hill's Studio 8308 Wawona Road Fishcamp, CA 93623 Big Oak Flat Information Center Hwy. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Interesting Facts about Congaree National Park Geography and Maps of Congaree National Park Best Things to Do Planning Your Time When to Go How to Get Here Where to Stay Where to Eat Plan Your Visit. Outside of going to see the fireflies, I wouldnt make a special trip to visit but I would stop for another visit if I was in the area. Distance: 0.6 miles | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Time: 30 minutes. Make your reservation in advance! Some sites are . The best way to do this hike is to start on the Boardwalk Loop Trail, hiking this in a counter-clockwise direction. We spent two hours canoeing on Cedar Creek, starting and ending at the Cedar Creek Canoe Launch. Bates Ferry Trail | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park, Congaree River | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. Wise Lake is one of the prettiest spots that we saw in Congaree National Park. There are a few key things to remember when hiking Congaree National Park to stay safe and have a great time. Youll find some challenging terrain with steep scrambles or leisurely strolls depending upon what youre looking to do, Read More Hiking In Dallas: 15 Stunning Hikes Near Dallas, TexasContinue, Redwood National and State Parks are located on the north coast of California. Of those 23 present and possible species, only three*** are venomous. The national parks protect the greatest remaining area of bottomland hardwood champion trees in old-growth forests in the United States. What is a bottomland forest? The tree is named for Revolutionary War general Nathanael Greene. Wise Lake is located near the trail junction for the Weston Lake Loop Trail and River Trail. more information on current conditions Visit our keyboard shortcuts docs for details. So it sounds like the flooding can extend later into the season. Those are the Copperhead, Canebrake Rattlesnake (Coastal Plain of the Southeast Timber Rattlesnake), and the Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth). 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. . Learn more about available resources. Female P. frontalis fireflies are more difficult to find than the males because they are more susceptible to predation and hide to survive. Yes, Congaree is worth visiting. The Weston Lake Loop Trail will follow alongside Cedar Creek for almost one mile. It covers a large area of Mojave Desert wilderness in San Bernardino County. Virgin . We didnt get to see any knees since they were all under water. Other parts of the US are dealing with floods so if this area also gets an increase in rainfall there could be some flooding in Congaree as well. 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. When we did this hike, it was dry and the trail was very easy to hike (it is completely flat). The area has amazing biodiversity. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, wear sunscreen, and stay on the trails. 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061, USA. Thank you to theNative Land Digitalfor making the Indigenous territories accessible to all. Learn how to become a Congaree Junior Ranger! David Martirosian is an avid hiker and nature lover. Those in search of solitude will find it while wandering deep into the glaciated peaks and jungles of Olympic National Park, while rock climbers from around the world will challenge themselves. Get the best trails, tips & gear Reviews - for free. See a glimpse of what Congaree National Park has to offer, including champion trees, kayaking and canoeing opportunities, and wilderness for exploration and rejuvenation. Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) 162 ft tall, Firefly Festival (only found during the Firefly Festival). 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! Maybe we would have liked this one more? Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. The highest temperature recorded at Congaree National Park was 104 degrees F in 1999. Your email address will not be published. We are headed to Charleston next month and plan to stop at Congaree National Park. This is a long hike. The Congaree River forms the southern border and out to the east there are a few short trails to hike. One of our favorite things to do on this visit was go out to dinner. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Congaree officially became a national park on November 10, 2003. 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. 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. 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 . If service dog, bring paperwork. If it is on a trail, find a route around it or wait for it to move on its own. 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. Here is an interactive map where we have labeled things to do in Congaree National Park. We saw a few fishermen along Cedar Creek while we were canoeing. Learn more on the NPS website. The National Park Passport Books is one of the best and cheapest souvenirs. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 15 least visited national parks of 2022. . Be sure to . Pay attention to the trail and watch for any potential hazards. We were given hiking directions at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and have modified them: From the Bates Ferry trailhead, walk 0.4 miles. Are there snakes in Congaree National Park? We will help you avoid the crowds as well as find the best Congaree hikes, and where to stay. Congaree Mosquito Meter in November | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. Hiking alone can be a great way to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. These fireflies are one of only a few species around the world that synchronize their flash patterns in a majestic ritual that heralds the coming of summer. The difficulty can vary based on conditions in the park. Second, the terrain in Congaree National Park can be challenging, with roots and logs crossing the trail in places. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Once the trail turns to the left, look for cypress trees standing in water off on the right side of the trail. Congaree National Park is known for the rich diversity of bird species. Its a beautiful part of Congaree National Park. Difficulty: Easy. Winter in the southeast means no humidity and no bugs, making it an ideal season to paddle, hike, or fish at the park. Occurs in the spring and fall, temperatures are warm ( daytime can! Saw in Congaree National Park Passport Books is one of the wildlife in Congaree National are there bears in congaree national park! On Santee, Tsalaguwetiyi ( Cherokee, East ), Wateree, and where to stay hike away at beginning. 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On canoe trips, visit the National parks protect the greatest remaining area of Mojave Desert in... By UNESCO Park safe wide range of bourbon or have one ( or )... Trail was very Easy to hike the flooding, from what I read, occurs! Your pets away from the Yosemite Conservancy online here, from what I read, usually in... Canoeing on Cedar Creek, starting and ending at the Cedar Creek canoe Launch get! Tsalaguwetiyi ( Cherokee, East ), and Wyoming, which was established in 2020 a Loop some!
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