The Early Past Prehistoric foragers hunted the area and fished its waters. Conditions on the creek vary from season to season, so being prepared is important for having an enjoyable and safe trip. Congaree National Park is the only United States National Park in the state of South Carolina.. . The Congaree River is … Click the image to view a full size JPG (300 kb) or download the PDF (1.8 mb). Guided walks and canoe trips are offered free of charge. 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. 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. Congaree National Park Camping: Campendium has reviews of 2 Campgrounds in Congaree National Park. A network of 20 miles of hiking trails exists within the park. European settlers brought with them European diseases. Congaree National Park. 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. Located in South Carolina, Congaree National Park boasts the largest old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. 02/02/12; South Carolina; 10,539 ha; 33°47'22"N 80°45'34"W. National Park. The Congaree National Park cabins in the Fort Jackson area are closest to the park entrance. #wild50 #wilderness50 #wilderness #ivorybilledwoodpecker #congaree #congareenationalpark by Congaree National Park Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and explore what the Congaree waterways have to offer. Welcome to the Congaree National Park – the largest national park of virgin bottomland forest in the whole of the United States. This is the official Congaree National Park map from the brochure, showing the visitor center, trails, roads, and campsites. Congaree National Park is amongst a humid subtropical climate. 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. 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. According to … It is a flood plain forest with a boardwalk that goes on for over 2 miles. 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 is located in an area that travelers like for its coffeehouses. 10,740 were here. 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. 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. Understand [] History []. Our guides will navigate you through the diverse Congaree Swamp system, highlighting various areas along the way. The Congaree National Park . 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. Guided Kayak / Canoe Trip . Park visitors often remark on the absolute silence that permeates Congaree. Although you can visit during any season, the best time to go is spring and fall because the weather is best. The Congaree National Park (formally the Congaree Swamp National Monument) is an old growth flood plain forest located near Columbia, South Carolina. 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 National Park lies in the Eastern time zone; Random Facts About Congaree. By 1700 the Congaree Indian population had been wiped out by a smallpox epidemic. We're just two years away from the Centennial of the #nps but the celebration has already begun! Congaree National Park is a 27,000 acre park located in Hopkins, South Carolina. 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. Congaree National Park: My 42nd NP - See 532 traveler reviews, 669 candid photos, and great deals for Hopkins, SC, at Tripadvisor. Santee National Wildlife Refuge: Only 50 miles southeast of Congaree National Park, this refuge provides a safe-haven for nesting and migratory birds. History of Congaree National Park. 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. 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! 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. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. 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. Happy 98th birthday, National Park Service! The Congaree National Park. Congaree National Park currently has visitors centers, stores, or other facilities closed due to Covid-19. These trees make up one of the highest forest canopies in the world. 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. Hotels near the Congaree National Park are located in the bustling South Carolina capital, Columbia. Congaree trail maps 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). 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. Insects buzzed, and birds sang, their sounds rising and falling as they drew near and flew off. Some national parks hold large animals and wide-spanning views that become crowded with visitors. Cedar Creek is located within the Congaree National Park. Congaree National Park and Friends of Congaree Swamp will co-host the Smithsonian traveling exhibit Water/Ways from through Jan. 13. 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. The 26,000 acre National Park protects the largest intact tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the United States. The park routinely performs prescribed forest fires. Over 300 species have been recorded, including the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and wood stork. Welcome to Congaree National Park's Official Facebook Page! Spread over a whopping 26,000 acres of land on the low-lying floodplains of South Carolina, it’s a strange and unique place. This is a beautiful park that is about 20 miles south of Columbia, South Carolina and about 120 miles northwest of Charleston, South Carolina. Congaree is a floodplain, not a swamp, despite its former name of Congaree Swamp National Monument. The park is home to prehistoric vegetation and some of the world’s highest canopies. The park’s southern border runs along the Congaree River, with several smaller lakes, creeks, and … Congaree National Park preserves the largest area of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. A wilderness respite just miles from the hustle and bustle of downtown Columbia, Congaree National Park provides an atmosphere of solitude and beauty. Congaree National Park in South Carolina has the largest remaining bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. This National Park is a Hidden Gem!! The absence of human sounds was mesmerizing. Congaree National Park Park yourself at Longleaf and get ready to relish in the beauty of South Carolina forest. Congaree National Park encompasses 11,000 acres of the surviving southern bottomland forest. Dispersed throughout the park are some enormous trees, including some national champions for their respective species. Congaree National Park. Iconic site in the park: The trails among the Cypress trees. 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