Congaree National Park

Introduction

Congaree National Park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. Located in South Carolina, the 107.43 km2 national park received that designation in 2003 as the culmination of a grassroots campaign which had started in 1969. The lush trees growing in this floodplain forest are some of the tallest in the Eastern U.S., forming one of the highest temperate deciduous forest canopies remaining in the world. The Congaree River flows through the park. About 57 percent (61 km2) of the park is designated wilderness area.

Geography

The park preserves a significant part of the Middle Atlantic coastal forests ecoregion. It has been designated an old growth forest. The park also has one of the largest concentrations of champion trees in the world. Bald cypress is a common tree in the park. Large animals possibly seen in the park include bobcats, deer, feral pigs, feral dogs, coyotes, armadillos, turkeys, and otters. Its waters contain interesting creatures like amphibians, turtles, snakes, alligators, and many types of fish, including bowfin, alligator gar, and catfish

Sights and Activities

In addition to being a designated Wilderness Area, an International Biosphere Reserve, a Globally Important Bird Area and a National Natural Landmark, Congaree National Park features primitive campsites and offers hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and bird watching. Some of the hiking trails include the Bluff Trail (0.7 mi), 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. The National Park Service rangers have current trail conditions which can be found in the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Along with hiking trails, the park also has a 20-mile marked canoe trail on Cedar Creek.

Most visitors to the park walk along the Boardwalk Loop, an elevated 2.4-mile walkway through the swampy environment that protects delicate fungi and plant life at ground level. Congaree boasts both the tallest (169 ft, 51.4m) and largest (42 cubic meters) Loblolly Pines (Pinus taeda) alive today.

The Harry Hampton Visitor Center features exhibits about the natural history of the park, and the efforts to protect the swamp. There is also an orientation film.

Cost

It's such a new national park that they haven't put up the admission gates yet, so it's still free to enter the park. Camping is also free as long as you pick up a permit at the visitor's center.

Getting There and Around

From downtown Columbia, Congaree National Park's an easy half-hour drive up Bluff Road (route numbers are labeled, but seldom used by locals). Follow the signs from there, which clearly mark the way to the park. If you plan on extending your visit after 5 pm. be sure to leave your car in the overnight parking lot near the entry of the park.

Once you leave your car at the lot, you're on foot. There isn't any public transportation in the park (or to the park), though the visitor's center and the boardwalk, which offers a stunning view of the flood plain, are both handicapped accessible.

Eat/Drink

Bring it in or hit the vending machines. If you want a hot meal after a hard hike, try some of the restaurants in downtown Columbia.

Sleep

Two of the camp sites are within a quick walk of the parking lot, so pack weight shouldn't be a big concern if you're just looking for a night in the woods. Be warned, however - the closer the site (and one of them is right next to the overnight parking lot), the more crowded the site. Friday and Saturday nights in the summer are particularly a smattering of locals, including boy scout troops. So if you're intent on a quiet solo experience, you may want to hoof into the backcountry.

Primitive and backcountry camping is available. It's wet. It's jungly. It's full of things that crawl and bite and might like to have you for a snack. But the trees are spectacular, and the wildlife only gets better as you go down the trail. It's very flat, but it's also muddy, so strong shoes are advisable to avoid snakes and keep your feet dry. The paths are generally very well-marked, and maps at the visitor's center are quite reliable. Visitors are still scant here, and most of the locals who visit don't stray beyond the boardwalk, so a trip to the backcountry leaves you mostly alone. Due to the close proximity of Columbia and the flat landscape, cell phone reception is fairly good. A trip into this wild, almost primordial landscape, will leave you feeling like a triceratops might lumber into your path.

External Links

• Official Website