Here are some tips for staying safe while enjoying the park after dark: Following these safety tips will help you have a safe and enjoyable experience while exploring Congaree National Park at night. Explore the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern U.S. at Congaree National Park. Congaree National Park is in the Middle Atlantic coastal region and has a humid subtropical climate. It turns out they don't just go to pools to drink, splash and frolic they also slip into the water to scrub their faces and ears and rinse themselves clean. Also, there are several potential hazardsincluding venomous snakes, poisonous . Winter in the southeast means no humidity and no bugs, making it an ideal season to paddle, hike, or fish at the park. 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061, USA. Second, be aware of your surroundings. No fewer than 45 miles of carriage roads can be explored . The total distance from the Bates Ferry Trail to the General Greene Tree is 0.2 miles. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio. If so, you are going to have an amazing time. This trail starts at the Cedar Creek Canoe Launch and ends at the junction with the Weston Lake Trail and Oakridge Trail. Formerly the area that is Congaree National Park was home to red wolves, black bears and mountain lions. Located in the Five Points neighborhood, this restaurant serves southern fare with a twist. Congaree is the only national park in South Carolina. From this junction, you will walk about 100 meters to get to Wise Lake. 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. The tree is named for Revolutionary War general Nathanael Greene. Welcome to the Congaree National Park - the largest national park of virgin bottomland forest in the whole of the United States. Congaree National Park hosts five national champion trees and 27 state champion trees, which can provide insights into old-growth ecosystems. 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. So it was totally the poachers fault. We chose to have it delivered. NEARBY PARKS: Great Smoky Mountains, Mammoth Cave, New River Gorge, and Shenandoah. Bear with govt while we sort out nation's finances, PM tells civil servants over salary review . The park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. It contains three state-listed species of concern, including the bald eagle, American swallow-tailed kites, and wood stork, with 30 other priority species. There is a beauty to this area, its just on a smaller scale. Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Yes, pets are welcome in Congaree National Park and are allowed on the trails. There are invasive species within Congaree National Park, and the Southeast Coast Exotic Plant Management Team manages exotic plants throughout the park. Water levels were low when we did this, which allowed us to duck under some fallen trees. Their range once included what now is Congaree National Park, a massive forested flood plain known for its towering trees. Pets may not be left unattended for any period of time. The Weston Lake Loop Trail will follow alongside Cedar Creek for almost one mile. During this time, the fireflies synchronously flash as they search for a mate. However, during one study no direct evidence of nutrient acquisition was seen. The cost is minimal, a $5.00 . Just be sure to take some precautions to make sure you stay safe. With over 26,000 acres of forest and wetlands, Congaree is home to an abundance of wildlife. There are a few things to be aware of that could make your hike more dangerous. One of Acadia's main attractions is its historic carriage roads on Mount Desert Island, which now serve as hiking and cycling trails. 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. We had bright sunny skies each of the three days that we were here. Second, the terrain in Congaree National Park can be challenging, with roots and logs crossing the trail in places. Paddling upstream is not problem at all and really not any harder than going downstream, at least when we did this. The best viewing spots are near the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. The southern part of the Sims trail connects the Boardwalk Trail with the Weston Lake Trail, River Trail, and Oak Ridge Trail. Temperatures frequently get up into the high-90s and even up over 100F. Its nice but we liked the Boardwalk Trail more. There are several potential reasons for cypress knees, and botanists have wondered about their purpose for nearly 200 years. Plan today at Ameriparks. There is no RV Camping in Congaree NP. Visit Media to see details. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Third, be prepared. *** 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. Congaree National Park is a 26,692.6-acre (41.7 sq mi; 108.0 km 2) American national park in central South Carolina, 18 miles southeast of the state capital, Columbia. There are no restaurants in Congaree National Park. Difficulty: Easy. However, Congaree National Park is a relatively safe place to explore at night. Hiking and being in parks at night can be dangerous because of the low visibility, more wildlife out at night, and other general safety concerns. During the summer months, Congaree is hot and humid. Are there bears in Congaree National Park? Hiking alone can be a great way to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. If youd like a PDF copy of this Congaree Mapclick here. Both snakes have red, black, and yellow color bands on their body and telling them apart is a little confusing. There are very few places in the park where you can travel more than a half-mile in one direction without having to cross a pond, lake, creek, seasonal channel (locally called a gut), slough, wet flat, or muck swamp. Tupelo trees sit alongside slow moving creeks and oxbow lakes. Learn more about available resources. 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 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The Sims Trail is an old gravel road. In both the spring and fall, Congaree gets about 3 inches of rain per month. It is 168 ft tall and has a circumference of 181 inches. (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 It contains three state-listed species of concern, including the bald eagle, American swallow-tailed kites, and wood stork, with 30 other priority species. 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. Paddle the 50-mile designated recreational paddle trail, extending from the state capital of Columbia downstream to Congaree National Park. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. However, there are a few things to remember to stay safe while hiking in the park. 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. There is a reason that Congaree is of the few National Parks to be a UNESCO biosphere reserve. . . The park is home to mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and hikers. Tim and I were not fans of this hike, but Im listing it as a thing to do in Congaree National Park in order to provide some information about it. I vaguely recollect a small camping area at the parking lot for those not wishing to hike in. Longleaf pine forests are highly diverse, fire-dependent, open-canopy ecosystems. IMPORTANT: Do NOT stamp your government issued passport. Congaree National Park is located in South Carolina. When we did this, the trail was dry. Please review the Congaree Pet Policy before bringing your dog to Congaree. Congaree encounters - Today, South Carolina has an estimated 1,200 resident black bears. Why You Should Go: Take a walk along the Windham Path, a 1.5-mile loop on mostly flat ground that sits just underneath Windham Mountain. Pets welcome at $25 per pet. . The weather is another significant danger at Congaree National Park. There are two campgrounds, the Longleaf Campground and Bluff Campground, and you must make your reservation in advance. . The short walk on the boardwalk at the start of the hike is the best part. Within Congaree National Park there are 1,220 taxa, including 33 amphibians, 45 reptiles, 71 fish, 191 birds, 37 mammals, 328 terrestrial plants, 512 wetland plants, and three aquatic plants. Thank you for sharing and being so thorough with everything! First, the park is home to some potentially dangerous wildlife, including snakes and alligators. The area isn't great habitat for them as the area isn't marshy or swamping unless the river is flooding. For more information,read our detailed one day itinerary for Congaree National Park. When will congaree national park open? Crossing over the old, rickety bridges with views of the forest is beautiful. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. In 2003, it was designated an Important Bird Area. Cypress trees are found within Congaree National Park. Congarees has the USs tallest Pine Loblolly. In conclusion, Congaree National Park is a safe place to hike and enjoy the outdoors. Congaree National Park is open year-round. This national park protects the oldest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. Are there bears at Congaree National Park? Note: This post contains affiliate links. Congaree National Park is locatedin South Carolina and is known for its massive Congaree River swamp. 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 just southeast of Columbia, SC, is the closest to Charlotte, not quite two hours away. If you see an alligator, do not approach it, and keep your pets away from the water. Both towns are just a short drive to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, which serves as the northern entrance to the national park. Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) 162 ft tall, Firefly Festival (only found during the Firefly Festival). When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. The trees that live here (usually bald cypress, oaks, gums, and tupelos), are able to survive these seasonal (and sometimes year-round) floods. For more restrictions and information, visit the NPS website. Be aware of your surroundings. Distance: 4.5 miles | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 2 to 3 hours. There are around 75 types of trees, nearly 200 species of birds, 75 species of reptiles/amphibians, and more than 50 species of fish and butterflies. Tim and I canoed downstream on the creek, silently drifting past tupelos and bald cypress trees. There are another 3 species that are likely present within the park as they are known to occur in the region but havent been confirmed within the park. The General Greene tree is located here. 29061, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. 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. For more ideas on canoe trips, visit the National Park Service website. Those who want to rough it can find a great camping experience in the wilderness. A lock () or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Getting to the tree is a bit tricky. It depends. Congaree National Park occupies about 40 square miles and consists mostly of river bottom hardwood forest -- sweet gum, water oak, tupelo, cypress, loblolly pine, etc. The park is home to alligators, snakes, and other dangerous animals. (2023). One of our favorite things to do on this visit was go out to dinner. Already,. Congaree National Park is known for the rich diversity of bird species. The park is home one of the largest concentrations of champion trees. 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. Entrance Fee: There is no fee to enter Congaree National Park. There are a few dangers to be aware of when venturing off the trail in Congaree National Park. The boardwalk trail is an elevated path through the bottomland, where you can see giant tupelos and bald cypress trees standing in the water. This makes visiting Congaree National Park a unique and fun opportunity. 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. Your email address will not be published. Be sure to watch your step and take your time in areas where the footing is uncertain. The best time to see the fireflies is between 9 pm and 10 pm. Congaree National Park protects towering trees and a varied plant and animal life. Of those 23 present and possible species, only three*** are venomous. Other scientists have suggested that cypress knees assist in the trees in nutrient accumulation during flooding events. 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