Cheers, Julie. Discover the best attractions, trails, directions, maps, dining, lodging and more. We did not hike this trail, choosing the River Trail instead. . (2023)Continue, Indiana Dunes National Park is located in northwestern Indiana, on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. 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. Here is an interactive map where we have labeled things to do in Congaree National Park. Web Visit website. Journey into the heart of the park on Cedar Creek. The park is home to alligators, snakes, and other dangerous animals. If service dog, bring paperwork. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. GETTING TO THE BATES FERRY TRAILHEAD: This trail is located in the far eastern section of Congaree National Park on Highway 601. Alligators are often found in the waterways of 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. Congaree is one of the smallest US national parks. If so, you are going to have an amazing time. Bates Ferry Trail | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park, Congaree River | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. The ramen noodle soups and dumplings are delicious. There are 18 confirmed species of snakes in Congaree. There are always risks associated with hiking alone, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt enjoy the experience of a solo hike. I can only find reports of one venomous snakebite in the park and that was to a poacher who was handing a copperhead. Most of the time, you are walking through oaks and other hardwoods, not through sloughs of tupelos and cypress trees that make Congaree National Park so beautiful and so unique. But I will admit that Congaree isnt my favorite but I did have fun exploring the park and I do make a point to stop and visit it when Im in the area. In national parks around the country, camera traps capture images that astonish, delight, inform, reveal and have the power to change human behavior. 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. 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 . 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. While there are risks to drinking untreated water, there are also ways to purify itbefore you drink it. It's the most recent park to gain that designation. If youre hiking during the winter, you need to be aware of the possibility of ice and snow. Its always best to hike with at least one other person. The short walk on the boardwalk at the start of the hike is the best part. Bourbon was our favorite restaurant. Wise Lake | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. This is perfect to help us plan our itinerary! The total distance from the Bates Ferry Trail to the General Greene Tree is 0.2 miles. Welcome to the Congaree National Park - the largest national park of virgin bottomland forest in the whole of the United States. *** 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. What is the best time to visit Congaree National Park? Official websites use .gov The tree is named for Revolutionary War general Nathanael Greene. When we did this hike, it was dry and the trail was very easy to hike (it is completely flat). Learn how your comment data is processed. Congaree National Park is home to a number of different species of fireflies, but it is the synchronized fireflies that lure thousands of people to the park each spring. However, there are a few things to remember to stay safe while hiking in the park. No fewer than 45 miles of carriage roads can be explored . 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. The park is home to mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and hikers. The Firefly Trail is a flat trail that runs through the woods just to the south of the visitor center. Formerly the area that is Congaree National Park was home to red wolves, black bears and mountain lions. 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. Fork Swamp Trail | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. Visiting Congaree National Park in 2023? Dallas is a hidden treasure trove of hiking trails! In conclusion, Congaree National Park is a safe place to hike and enjoy the outdoors. Using large numbers of slaves, they hoped to clear the swampland to grow cash crops like cotton and tobacco. Fall is the best time to go paddling on Cedar Creek since water levels are ideal. This has become such a popular event that in 2021 the National Park Service began a lottery system. We will help you avoid the crowds as well as find the best Congaree hikes, and where to stay. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Its well worth it, as it points out both natural and historical sights along the trail. But Im just one National Park Obsessed person and I think the worst National Park is Gateway Arch. I hope you have a better experience, wherever you plan to go next. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Located in the Five Points neighborhood, this restaurant serves southern fare with a twist. Get the best trails, tips & gear Reviews - for free. There are signs here that direct you to Wise Lake. Congaree National Park is a 27,000-acre park in Hopkins, South Carolina. In fact, it was our favorite experience here. Congaree National Park hosts a viewing event for this phenomena. Seeing this fallen tree was one of the most memorable parts of this hike. I vaguely recollect a small camping area at the parking lot for those not wishing to hike in. Daytime highs were in the high 60s to mid-70s and at night it got down into the 40s. There are . The Boardwalk | Best Things to do in Congaree National Park. one day itinerary for Congaree National Park. There are a lot of great restaurants in Columbia. All pets must be on a leash under six ft and under your control at all times. Here are all the locations where you can find the Congaree National Park Passport Stamp. . Longleaf pines are shade-intolerant, so they are less likely to survive in close canopy ecosystems. #2 Go Kayaking or Canoeing on Cedar Creek, #7 Bates Ferry Trail and the General Greene Tree, #10 Hike the River Trail to the Congaree River. Wise Lake is located near the trail junction for the Weston Lake Loop Trail and River Trail. We're talking about a white grizzly bear, who the locals named Nakoda. 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. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia. 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. Cheers, Julie. There is a beauty to this area, its just on a smaller scale. The park is located in a hurricane zone, so the weather can be very unpredictable. There are benches all along the Boardwalk if you need a rest. Bald cypress trees produce knees like the ones in the photo above. 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 national and state champion trees. During the summer months, Congaree is hot and humid. If you take the necessary precautions, like purifying your water before you drink it, youll be just fine. CONGAREE VINES also has a Log Cabin & Barn Bungalow available! Congaree National Park was created on October 18, 1976, as a Congaree Swamp National Monument. We thought that this hike is easy. 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. According to CTV News, there are a total of 200 grizzly bears that roam the Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks. During a visit to Congaree National Park, the number one thing to do is walk the Boardwalk Loop Trail. However there are several airports within a reasonable distance that you can use to fly into the area. Of the estimated 30 million acres of bottomland forests that once covered the USA, only 40% remains. Just a half-hour outside of the state's capital, Congaree National Park is the only national park in South Carolina. Learn how to become a Congaree Junior Ranger! Looking for a cheap National Park souvenir? If you have any questions about things to do in Congaree National Park, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below. Congaree is home to an incredible variety of wildlife including bobcats, deer,armadillos, turkeys, and alligators, but it's best known for the large number of bird species that have been spotted in the 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. Winter is mild and the flooding is frequent. 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. Though there are plenty others which are far more remote, or with way fewer visitors, Congaree simply fails to garner much attention. The weather is another significant danger at Congaree National Park. Great Basin National Park is the most crowd-free national Park in the United States. Julie Last updated: July 2, 2022 United States 6 Comments. 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. To the right is a metal trail marker with a #7 on it. We were given hiking directions at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and have modified them: From the Bates Ferry trailhead, walk 0.4 miles. 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. Usually, the fall season is the drier season to visit the park. Also, there are several potential hazardsincluding venomous snakes, poisonous . 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. "We're a globally important bird area," says Ranger Jon Manchester. Camping is also permitted in the high-ground section of the park, where an actual campground . Are there bears at Congaree National Park? It covers an area of 26,276 acres and is known for its stunning views, deep canyons, and unique geological formations. Winter in the southeast means no humidity and no bugs, making it an ideal season to paddle, hike, or fish at the park. If you see an animal, do not approach it. Then take the boardwalk back to the visitor center. Bears are generally shy and avoid contact with humans. I expect that Congaree will be in the bottom 75% but I dont have a passionate dislike. From these hotels, you can easily walk or Uber to some great restaurants. Learn more about the CBR. Its a beautiful part of Congaree National Park. Do you have any questions about Congaree National Park, let us know in the comments below or need help planning your National Park trips. At this junction, you can retrace your steps back to your starting point or add the Weston Lake Trail or the Oakridge Trail. It has an onsite restaurant and it is 10 minutes closer to Congaree than the hotels in downtown Columbia. Water marks from flooding events can commonly be seen on Cypress trees. Explore the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern U.S. at Congaree National Park. . The Congaree River forms the southern border and out to the east there are a few short trails to hike. Is Congaree National Park Safe? We love bourbon and this is our favorite restaurant in Columbia. Just 18 miles southeast of the state's capital, Columbia, the park contains the country's largest tract of old-growth . The park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. While the park is easily accessible by car, it does not have its own airport. Third, the park is remote, and there is no cell phone service. Leave the area immediately and give the snake space. Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) 162 ft tall, Firefly Festival (only found during the Firefly Festival). For 2 weeks from mid-May to mid-June, fireflies light up the skies in Congaree National Park. 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