Note that almost 80% of the park is within the floodplain of the Congaree River, which means flooding occurs throughout the year (usually about ten times a year). Over 300 species have been recorded, including the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and wood stork. This National Park is a Hidden Gem!! 51: Congaree National Park 2019 visitors: 159,445 Located in central South Carolina, Congaree contains the largest remaining wilderness of old growth hardwood forest in the United States. These trees make up one of the highest forest canopies in the world. European settlers brought with them European diseases. The park’s southern border runs along the Congaree River, with several smaller lakes, creeks, and … Congaree National Park offers hiking, primitive camping, bird watching, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking, nature study, and rangers and volunteers conduct interpretive walks and talks throughout the year. Congaree National Park. The park routinely performs prescribed forest fires. This is a beautiful park that is about 20 miles south of Columbia, South Carolina and about 120 miles northwest of Charleston, South Carolina. It is a flood plain forest with a boardwalk that goes on for over 2 miles. A mosaic of freshwater swamp forests, seasonal sloughs, forested peatlands, permanent and seasonal creeks, permanent freshwater lakes, and shrub-dominated wetlands, containing the largest remaining example of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in North America. Congaree National Park. Dispersed throughout the park are some enormous trees, including some national champions for their respective species. Congaree National Park Visitor Center, Boardwalks, and Trails Fantastic opportunity to view a rare section of undisturbed bottomland hardwood forest along the floodplain of the Congaree River. Iconic site in the park: The trails among the Cypress trees. This is the official Congaree National Park map from the brochure, showing the visitor center, trails, roads, and campsites. Congaree National Park Park yourself at Longleaf and get ready to relish in the beauty of South Carolina forest. The park is home to prehistoric vegetation and some of the world’s highest canopies. Hotels near the Congaree National Park are located in the bustling South Carolina capital, Columbia. Guided walks and canoe trips are offered free of charge. It was designated South Carolina’s first national park in 2003. Congaree National Park is named for the Congaree Indians who inhabited the area before the arrival of European settlers. We love to visit National Parks and went to Congaree because we were traveling in the area and found it online What a wonderful surprise! The Congaree National Park cabins in the Fort Jackson area are closest to the park entrance. Overview: If your group is looking for a leisurely paddle that highlights the unique swamp-like areas of South Carolina, the Congaree National Park Swamp tour is for you. The Early Past Prehistoric foragers hunted the area and fished its waters. Congaree National Park Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Conditions on the creek vary from season to season, so being prepared is important for having an enjoyable and safe trip. Congaree National Park Camping: Campendium has reviews of 2 Campgrounds in Congaree National Park. Understand [] History []. A wilderness respite just miles from the hustle and bustle of downtown Columbia, Congaree National Park provides an atmosphere of solitude and beauty. #wild50 #wilderness50 #wilderness #ivorybilledwoodpecker #congaree #congareenationalpark by Congaree National Park 02/02/12; South Carolina; 10,539 ha; 33°47'22"N 80°45'34"W. National Park. Guided Kayak / Canoe Trip . Congaree National Park encompasses 11,000 acres of the surviving southern bottomland forest. The Congaree National Park. The 26,000 acre National Park protects the largest intact tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the United States. Insects buzzed, and birds sang, their sounds rising and falling as they drew near and flew off. Congaree National Park is the only United States National Park in the state of South Carolina.. Click the image to view a full size JPG (300 kb) or download the PDF (1.8 mb). Originally founded as Congaree Swamp National Monument in 1976, the park is home to more than 15,000 acres of wilderness and covers more than 26,000 acres. Our guides will navigate you through the diverse Congaree Swamp system, highlighting various areas along the way. Congaree National Park is amongst a humid subtropical climate. Congaree is a floodplain, not a swamp, despite its former name of Congaree Swamp National Monument. The closest major city is Columbia, about 20 miles northwest of Congaree. When you want to settle in and find a place to stay, check out some of the hotels and other accommodations that Expedia offers in the area. The Congaree River is … We're just two years away from the Centennial of the #nps but the celebration has already begun! Spread over a whopping 26,000 acres of land on the low-lying floodplains of South Carolina, it’s a strange and unique place. Congaree National Park lies in the Eastern time zone; Random Facts About Congaree. This unique ecosystem provides visitors with 25 miles of hiking trails and 2.4 miles of boardwalk, including access to Weston Lake and water activities such as canoeing and fishing. The Congaree National Park (formally the Congaree Swamp National Monument) is an old growth flood plain forest located near Columbia, South Carolina. One sound we didn't hear was the tell-tale drumming on tree bark of Ivory-billed woodpeckers, though some think the birds thought extinct might exist deep within Congaree National Park in South Carolina. History of Congaree National Park. A National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study determined the concentrations, potential for degradation, and potential for aquatic and terrestrial animal exposure to organic contaminants in water and sediment within the flood-plain/aquatic environments of Congaree National Park which is located downstream from urban and agricultural areas. Official name: Congaree National Park Established: November 10, 2003 Location: Central South Carolina How the park got its name: The park is named after the Congaree People, an American Indian tribe, who lived in the area of central South Carolina before it was inhabited by settlers. Some national parks hold large animals and wide-spanning views that become crowded with visitors. Park visitors often remark on the absolute silence that permeates Congaree. Welcome to the Congaree National Park – the largest national park of virgin bottomland forest in the whole of the United States. Although you can visit during any season, the best time to go is spring and fall because the weather is best. Congaree National Park in South Carolina has the largest remaining bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. Flowing through the heart of Congaree National Park, Cedar Creek is a major part of this dynamic floodplain wilderness area. By 1700 the Congaree Indian population had been wiped out by a smallpox epidemic. Welcome to Congaree National Park's Official Facebook Page! Located in South Carolina, Congaree National Park boasts the largest old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. According to … A network of 20 miles of hiking trails exists within the park. This dreamy campground is your ticket to a picnic under a mighty pine or a trek down one of the great trails in the area. Congaree National Park preserves the largest area of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. Congaree National Park is located in an area that travelers like for its coffeehouses. 10,740 were here. Congaree National Park is a 27,000 acre park located in Hopkins, South Carolina. Congaree National Park and Friends of Congaree Swamp will co-host the Smithsonian traveling exhibit Water/Ways from through Jan. 13. The Congaree Indians claimed the floodplain and Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto recounted the intrigue of the area in his journals. Cedar Creek is located within the Congaree National Park. Come join us on this guided trip as we paddle Cedar Creek and explore the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the Southeastern US. Congaree map from the park brochure. Congaree National Park Art & Science Project Situated along the meandering Congaree River in central South Carolina, Congaree National Park is home to champion trees, primeval forest landscapes, and diverse plant and animal life. . Happy 98th birthday, National Park Service! The Congaree National Park . It is highly suggested that you bring all the supplies you may need in case a store is closed or shopping is limited due to local communities or the park. Congaree Swamp, the focus of the national park, is the largest area of virgin Southern bottomland hardwoods remaining in the United States.The park consists of an alluvial floodplain on the meandering Congaree River.Flooding occurs about 10 times a year but lasts only from several days to a month at a time, and for most of the year the area is dry. Congaree National Park currently has visitors centers, stores, or other facilities closed due to Covid-19. The absence of human sounds was mesmerizing. Santee National Wildlife Refuge: Only 50 miles southeast of Congaree National Park, this refuge provides a safe-haven for nesting and migratory birds. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Congaree trail maps Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and explore what the Congaree waterways have to offer. Congaree National Park: My 42nd NP - See 532 traveler reviews, 669 candid photos, and great deals for Hopkins, SC, at Tripadvisor. 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