Wildlife is abundant. The Kingsnake Trail explores a remote part of Congaree National Park. Congaree National Park: congaree river trail. Round Trip Distance (Not a Loop): 12.0 miles. CURRENT CONDITIONS: OPEN, MAY BE DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW IN SOME AREAS; USE CAUTION However, the Boardwalk Loop Trail is one of the better constructed trails we’ve seen in the entire NPS system, and is well worth the time. The Best Trails At Congaree National Park Hiking. There are over 25 miles of hiking trails in Congaree National Park and the Cedar Creek Canoe Trail which extends through 15 miles of the park to the Congaree River. Congaree regional map. To find out what equipment you should have and what you need to know before heading out on the trail, visit the hiking safety page for more information. Due to the location of the woods in a floodplain, trails can often be muddy and unstable. To learn more about Congaree National Park, visit www.nps.gov. HOTELS INFO! Explore the best trails in Congaree National Park, Hopkins, South Carolina. The Congaree and Wateree Rivers wind through the park, providing the sediment and nutrients that nourish and rejuvenate this vibrant ecosystem. CURRENT CONDITIONS: OPEN Show more. Sims Trail (#2) EASY Hikers should beware when walking. The 50-mile Congaree River Blue Trail connects the City of Columbia, the Three Rivers Greenway, and rural communities to Congaree National Park, the largest wilderness in South Carolina. 100 National Park Road Welcome to Congaree National Park’s most popular hiking trail, the Boardwalk Loop Trail. CURRENT CONDITIONS: OPEN The Kingsnake Trail is a favorite trail for birders because of the diverse vegetation and proximity to Cedar Creek. The main attractions of this national park are held on some of South Carolina's most beautiful trails. Congaree National Park offers a wide range of opportunities to explore and experience the great outdoors. It is best to stay on the marked path, as old side trails are neither cleared nor marked. Because the majority of the park lies within a floodplain, the terrain is generally very flat with only slight elevation changes. You’ll pass Weston... 2. Weston Lake Loop. With over 25 miles of trails and 2.4 miles of boardwalks, there are many ways to explore the park. Park visitors will find old growth forests teeming with wildlife, miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to moderately strenuous and miles of waterways in a canoe or kayak. When sloughs are full of water, beautiful views are possible around every bend. Whether you are looking for a short hike on the Boardwalk Trail, or desire to make a longer trek into the backcountry, there are options available for visitors of all skills and abilities. CURRENT CONDITIONS: OPEN, MAY BE DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW IN SOME AREAS; USE CAUTION CURRENT CONDITIONS: OPEN The trail leads to the Congaree River, the lifeblood of the national park's great natural diversity. We encourage backcountry hikers to utilize navigational aids such as compass and map as well as offline GPS navigation tools. It’s primarily flat with only slight elevation changes as it tours Congaree National Park’s namesake river through dense vegetation, bottomland and bald cypress forest. It may be possible to go around the bridge during dry conditions. Congaree National Park offers a wide range of opportunities to explore and experience the great outdoors. This upland trail loops north of the Visitor Center and connects to the elevated boardwalk for a short distance. To learn more about Congaree National Park, visit www.nps.gov. The national park closed many of their trails and services because of the coronavirus. Lower Boardwalk Trail, Congaree National Park (5) This photo was taken during our first visit to Congaree National Park in June 2011. The Congaree National Park is a great testament to how the Congaree River Blue Trail can connect people to a river and a park. Kingsnake Trail (#6) DIFFICULT Not Congaree National Park.Like the unique ecosystem it protects - an ancient alluvial floodplain so deep and dense that it provided safe shelter for slaves from nearby plantations as they made their first steps toward freedom - the park stands with regal … CURRENT CONDITION: OPEN Round Trip Distance: 2.2 miles. Western side of the trail which is CLOSED due to flood damage. Congaree National Park is a 26,276-acre American national park in central South Carolina. The trail runs alongside a narrow section of Bates Old River, a large oxbow lake created by a hurricane in 1852. Coursing some 50 miles from Columbia, South Carolina to the southeastern end of the park, the Congaree River Blue Trail links urban residents to one of the wildest places left in the eastern US. CURRENT CONDITIONS: OPEN See the gigantic loblolly pines of Congaree National Park. Much of the forest along the river was logged prior to the park's establishment and vegetation here is noticeably denser than that of other trails. Explore the many trails and paddle down the river! The most popular trail at Congaree National Park is the boardwalk loop trail. CURRENT CONDITION: OPEN except for Bridge "J" which is CLOSED (see note below), MAY BE DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW OR IMPASSABLE IN SOME AREAS; USE CAUTION Congaree National Park will be opening trails and services previously closed because of the coronavirus. Trails are marked with brown blazes along with the trail number; however, many trails are in the park's wilderness area and can be impacted by downed trees and flood damage. NOTE: There are alligators in Congaree National Park. Depending on what you want to see, trails can lead you to oxbow lakes, the Congaree River, or stands of magnificent old-growth trees that help make up the tallest deciduous forest in the United States. Canoe Trail Information. Because the majority of the park lies within a floodplain, the terrain is generally very flat with only slight elevation changes. Trails are marked with brown blazes along with the trail number; however, many trails are in the park's wilderness area and can be impacted by downed trees and flood damage. Whether you have hiked Congaree before, or this is your first time, it is always best to come prepared and know what to expect. The trail takes visitors through the heart of the park, providing breathtaking views of the primeval old-growth hardwood forest. Round Trip Distance: 3.2 miles. The flat surface is accessible and provides a leisurely way to experience the Congaree wilderness. On the other side of the trail, giant cherrybark oaks stand at near-record size. Longleaf and Bluff campgrounds are located above the floodplain in the upland region of Congaree National Park. Boardwalk Loop Trail - EASY Spur Trail (#10) EASY On our visit some of the lower portions were flooded. Boardwalk Loop Trail - 2.4 miles round trip. The Oakridge Trail in Congaree National Park crosses a number of creeks that carry floodwaters into and out of the park. Sign In To Add To Favorites Weston Lake Loop Trail (#3) - MODERATE Hiking Trails in Congaree. The park's newest trail, which was opened in late 2017, provides access to the Fork Swamp area of the park. The boardwalk has benches along the way and is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Coursing some 50 miles from Columbia, South Carolina to the southeastern end of the park, the Congaree River Blue Trail links urban residents to one of the wildest places left in the eastern US. Bates Ferry Trail (#7) EASY 4 Best Day Hikes in Congaree National Park 1. Evidence of prescribed burns can be found along this trail. The trail offers excellent birdwatching, and hikers may spot deer, raccoons, opossums, and even bobcat tracks. It's located right outside the Visitors Center after you park. With over 25 miles of trails and 2.4 miles of boardwalks, there are many ways to explore the park. The Congaree and Wateree Rivers wind through the park, providing the sediment and nutrients that nourish and rejuvenate this vibrant ecosystem. Fork Swamp Trail (#9) MODERATE Are you planning on staying overnight in the backcountry? The park has several different canoe trip ideas available here with distances and approximate times to make planning easier. Make sure to look at the. It was fairly dry, so areas that are sometimes underwater were dry. All trails start at the Visito Hikers can meander along boardwalks over the floodplain or get deep into the park’s backcountry and visit areas seldom seen by park visitors. Approximately ten times a year the river overflows its banks and pulses water through the bottomland forest. It includes both an upper high boardwalk and lower boardwalk. Flowing through the heart of Congaree National Park, Cedar Creek is a major part of this dynamic floodplain wilderness area. Congaree National Park fits this easily. The 25 miles of trails range from the relaxing 1.7-mile Bluff Trail to the more challenging 11.7-mile Kingsnake Trail. Putting its ancient forest camps … Park visitors will find old growth forests teeming with wildlife, miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to moderately strenuous and miles of waterways in a canoe or kayak. Some national parks hold large animals and wide-spanning views that become crowded with visitors. The Bates Ferry Trail is a 1.1-mile trail located on the eastern edge of Congaree National Park. LOCAL SEARCH! CURRENT CONDITIONS: OPEN; MAY BE DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW IN SOME AREAS; USE CAUTION The numerous hiking-only trails at Congaree lie within a floodplain. To find the right trail for you, visit our trail information page to see what each trail has to offer. The largest of the two designated campsites in the Congaree National Park is the Longleaf Campground. Directions to the trailhead, free maps, and more. It's the most popular trail in Congaree and offers an "excellent introduction to the park as it gently leads you from the elevated bluff down to the floodplain forest below". Although there are more than a few trails to choose from in this park, the best backpacking option is probably the Kingsnake Trail. The park includes a 26,276-acre footprint and preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the US. There are a number of trails at Congaree which are available for foot travel only. When sloughs are full of water, beautiful views are possible around every bend. This regional Congaree map (350 kb) shows the park in relation to the major roads of Columbia, SC and provides directions to the park from the Columbia … Do not attempt to cross the bridge. Congaree National Park is a lush backcountry inhabited by bobcats, deer, and playful river otters. Bluff Trail (#1) EASY Explore the many trails and paddle down the river! All kinds of wildlife, from alligators to otters, thrive in the Congaree National Park, and the experience is yours for the taking. Pick up the Self-guided Boardwalk Tour brochure at the Visitor Center before beginning your walk to learn more about the the natural and cultural history of Congaree. COLUMBIA, S.C. — Congaree National Park, located in lower Richland County, is known for its scenic trails and wildlife habitats. Note: Bridge J is damaged (~2.5 miles from Cedar Creek Canoe Access) and is impassable. Longleaf Trail (#8) EASY Congaree National Park is the ONLY National Park in South Carolina (there are many national historic sites), so designated in 2003 after a 40+ year effort by local legislators and community activists. The vast park is known for its bucolic walking trails… However, it is an excellent introduction to the park as it takes you deep into the swampy and cypress forest. 1. Hiking the park's many trails lets you get up close and personal with Congaree National Park. On this trail, you will experience the old-growth characteristics that led advocates in the 1950s through the 1970s to preserve Congaree Swamp. FEES & PERMIT DETAILS! 647 Followers, 2 Following, 16 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Congaree National Park (@congareenationalpark) This short spur trail connects the Visitor Center parking lots with Bluff Trail. Note: Bridge J is damaged (~2.5 miles from Cedar Creek Canoe Access) and is impassable. Trail Guide - Download Map Download Trail Descriptions. While at the river, please be aware that the bank is steep and could potentially be slippery. The boardwalk begins on a bluff at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center with an elevated section that leads down into the old-growth bottomland hardwood forest. Midway, the trail passes a large cypress-tupelo slough that seems to go on forever. HISTORY! NATIVE IMAGE GALLEY! Round Trip Distance: 0.4 miles On our visit some of the lower portions were flooded. The park's newest trail (opened summer 2020) was constructed by area high schoool students employed in the Youth Conservation Corps program. based on length, conditions and difficulty of navigation. December 9th, 2020 - Hopkins, South Carolina Congaree National Park Boardwalk Trail Distance: 0.3 miles (one-way distance), This short trail branches off from the Bluff Trail and provides access to the Longleaf Campground. The clearing at the intersection with the Weston Lake Loop Trail was the site of a hunt club where Harry Hampton was once a member. When the river is low, a large sandbar may be visible. This 2.4-mile hike serves as an excellent introduction to the park’s natural and cultural history. The vast park is known for its bucolic walking trails; scenic, oozing waterways; and wildlife. Because the majority of the park lies within a floodplain, the terrain is generally very flat with only slight elevation changes. Fish anywhere in the park, except for the Weston Lake overlook. Congaree National Park is a 27,000-acre expanse about 16 miles from downtown Columbia, in rural Hopkins. This trail leads to the Congaree River, the lifeblood of the park's great natural diversity. When the river is low, a large sandbar may be visible. We encourage backcountry hikers to utilize navigational aids such as compass and map as well as offline GPS navigation tools. Congaree National Park has a variety of hikes suitable for all ages and abilities. The amazing thing is that it is free. Beginning from the middle of the Boardwalk Loop, this trail offers great views of Cedar Creek where... 3. There are a number of trails at Congaree which are available for foot travel only. An Ultimate Comprehensive guide to Congaree National Park!!! Round Trip Distance: 4.4 miles. With trails that are generally flat, hiking at Congaree National Park is great for visitors of all skill levels. MAY BE DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW IN SOME AREAS; USE CAUTION, , MAY BE DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW IN SOME AREAS; USE CAUTION, Bridge "J" which is CLOSED (see note below), , MAY BE DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW OR IMPASSABLE IN SOME AREAS; USE CAUTION, Round Trip Distance (Not a Loop): 12.0 miles. 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