This park sits inside the Congaree River floodplain. Congaree National Park is open year-round. Congaree National Park is known for the rich diversity of bird species. Here are all the locations where you can find the Congaree National Park Passport Stamp. Peak Foliage: Early October to Mid-October. Congaree National Park is locatedin South Carolina and is known for its massive Congaree River swamp. 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. White Sands National Park, New Mexico. Are there bears in Congaree National Park? Some even reach an astounding height of 170 feet, creating one of the highest forest canopies in the world. History and Culture Humans have inhabited the area that is now Congaree National Park for at least 10,000 years. Bates Ferry Trail | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park, Congaree River | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. Hiking alone can be a great way to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. Walk the Boardwalk Loop Trail. 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. Drifting along Cedar Creek in a kayak or canoe is the one of the best things to do in Congaree National Park. Other scientists have suggested that cypress knees assist in the trees in nutrient accumulation during flooding events. 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An alternate hypothesis is that cypress knees evolved in due to environmental pressure that no longer occur, so that they currently serve no purpose. 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. It's also one of the best family-friendly trails for spotting wildlife. Many of the bears are believed to have traveled from Pennsylvania or New York, and may return there at the end of the summer. If your visit is part of a bigger road trip, here are the driving distances and times to nearby destinations: Inside of Congaree National Park, your only option is tent camping. The highest point in Congaree National Park is Old Bluff Road which is 140 feet (43m) above sea level. Having the canoe delivered to Cedar Creek made the logistics super easy. However, there are a few things to remember to stay safe while hiking in the 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. Flooding tends to occur during the winter months. Read more about the region's history. If youre hiking during the summer, you need to be aware of the possibility of severe storms. Be aware of your surroundings. Now, lets talk about Congaree National Park specifically. Distance: 11.1 miles | Difficulty: Easy to difficult | Time: 4 to 6 hours. Black Bear Pass: The Most Scenic AND Dangerous Road in Colorado 4. Are there bears at Congaree National Park? The General Greene tree is located here. There are always risks associated with hiking alone, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt enjoy the experience of a solo hike. Their range once included what now is Congaree National Park, a massive forested flood plain known for its towering trees. And for the most part, the views dont change all that much over its 11 miles. 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. This makes visiting Congaree National Park a unique and fun opportunity. There are more alligators on the South Carolina coast and in the Lowcountry than in Columbia. There is no RV Camping in Congaree NP. You can sample a wide range of bourbon or have one (or more) of their crafted cocktails. Congaree National Park Take in the beauty of South Carolina by trail, boardwalk, canoe, or kayak in Congaree National Park-one of the most biodiverse forests in the country. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Congaree Mosquito Meter in November | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. 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. 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. They negatively impact the health of the forest ecosystem. There are a few key things to remember when hiking Congaree National Park to stay safe and have a great time. This is a park where you want to slow your roll and enjoy the little things. Of those 23 present and possible species, only three*** are venomous. Congaree is dedicated to providing meaningful, engaging opportunities to all individuals. Harry Hampton Visitor Center is located at 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061. The trail narrows beyond this bridge. This picturesque park in Hopkins, South Carolina allows pets to wander all trails, including the boardwalk. It depends. 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. Its well worth it, as it points out both natural and historical sights along the 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. It might be a snake slithering up a tree. It contains three state-listed species of concern, including the bald eagle, American swallow-tailed kites, and wood stork, with 30 other priority species. Columbia is 20 miles northwest of Congaree and is the closest major city. The weather is another significant danger at Congaree National Park. Is it worth going to Congaree National Park? 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. The area isn't great habitat for them as the area isn't marshy or swamping unless the river is flooding. Alligators are often found in the waterways of Congaree National Park. 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. This team also is removing the native invasive sweetgum to restore the longleaf pine habitat in part of the park. Tim and I canoed downstream on the creek, silently drifting past tupelos and bald cypress trees. Stay on the 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. Congaree National Park hosts a viewing event for this phenomena. These species, however, no longer are found within the park. There are a lot of great restaurants in Columbia. We stayed at the Hilton Columbia Center and had a great experience but the Graduate Columbia, Staybridge Suites Columbia, Aloft Columbia Downtown, and the Courtyard Columbia Downtown all are highly rated and have a great location in downtown Columbia. Where to stamp your National Parks Passport Book? Both towns are just a short drive to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, which serves as the northern entrance to the national park. Weston Lake Loop Trail | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park, Weston Lake Overlook | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. Male and female fireflies have distinct flashes from one another. I like to call Congaree, America's forgotten national park. Though there are plenty others which are far more remote, or with way fewer visitors, Congaree simply fails to garner much attention. It is the remains of an old ferry road that ended at the Congaree River. . It is a unique place and one of the last of its kind in the US. This large carnivore has a huge home range that could encompass half-a-dozen bear territories. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. This has become such a popular event that in 2021 the National Park Service began a lottery system. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Congaree National Park . Follow this for another tenth of a mile and you come to this low area, filled with tupelos and bald cypress trees. To the right is a metal trail marker with a #7 on it. Which most parks, we are enjoying these massive sweeping vistas. The park features large expanses of pristine floodplain forest, unbroken by roads or railroads, where one can walk in solitude and observe wildlife. At 26,000 acres, it is the 7th smallest park. Yes, alligators can be found in Congaree National Park, but they are not common. (The park was originally designated Congaree Swamp National Monument in 1976.) 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 park is named for the Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) native to the Mojave Desert. Congaree National Park - 204,522. Congaree National Park was created on October 18, 1976, as a Congaree Swamp National Monument. Im sorry you didnt have a great experience there. The Oakridge Trail is a longer trail (7.1 miles) that passes through hardwood forests with oaks, gums, and poplars. In conclusion, Congaree National Park is a safe place to hike and enjoy the outdoors. Bears are generally shy and avoid contact with humans. Read all of our articles about the United States in our United States Travel Guide. Visitation peaks from March to May. Located at the confluence of the . 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. It contains three state-listed species of concern, including the bald eagle, American swallow-tailed kites, and wood stork, with 30 other priority species. If you really want to experience Congaree National Park, stay in one of the park's primitive campgrounds or in the park's wild backcountry. 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. 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