These timings are for summer driving conditions vancouver to victoria ferry trip approx 1. The harry hampton visitor center is open 7 days a week, 9. Find highquality congaree national park stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. Congaree national park is in the parks category for richland county in the state of south carolina. A mosaic of freshwater swamp forests, seasonal sloughs, forested peatlands, permanent and seasonal creeks, permanent freshwater lakes, and shrubdominated wetlands, containing the largest remaining example of oldgrowth bottomland hardwood forest in north america. Congaree national park habitat restoration 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. Some national parks hold large animals and widespanning views that become crowded with visitors.
Farm equipment and cattle should be moved to higher ground. The park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the united. Congaree national park hopkins all you need to know. National weather service advanced hydrologic prediction. Champion trees are star attraction at congaree national park. Find cheap deals and discount rates among them that best fit your budget. A total of 446 questionnaires were distributed to visitor groups. The congaree river blue trail is a 50mile designated recreational paddling trail, extending from columbia to congaree national park. Congaree national park trail guide national park service u. Congaree river blue trail congaree national park u. Other landmarks within the congaree national park also bear the names of those who worked to ensure its survival. 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. Its an easy hike along an elevated wooden boardwalk, some of it just above the ground. Congaree national park topo map, richland county sc gadsden.
Congaree national park is covered by the gadsden, sc us topo map quadrant. Today only,000 acres of floodplain exist in south carolina, where once there were 1,110,000 acres. Congaree national park is the largest old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the entire united states, and the beauty of the space is limitless. Identifying values and benefits of congaree national park. Congaree swamp national monuments weston loop trail maps. Oct 17, 2015 we pinned some of the best photos of congaree national park, south carolina from around the web. Nearly three decades later, it became congaree national park. Hop on the wellmarked and wellmaintained trails and follow the brown blazes into the heart of congaree national park. Congaree national park features the largest contiguous area of old growth bottomland hardwoods in the us. Congaree national park is a lush backcountry inhabited by bobcats, deer, and playful river otters. It received its official designation in 2003 as the culmination of a grassroots campaign launched in 1969.
The park features several well maintained trails including several walks through towering long leaf pines, cyprus, and other varieties. Birds of congaree national park download pdf 161 kb. Since 1983, national park trust has completed 75 land acquisition, restoration, and mitigation projects to protect more than 30,000 acres in 33 states, one u. Congaree national park, in central south carolina, is a 26,276acre 41. See more ideas about congaree national park, congaree, national parks. Congaree national park has a variety of hikes suitable for all ages and abilities. In 2001, congaree was recognized as a globally important bird area. Click to open a larger version of the congaree national park hiking trails map. While the area is accessible in all seasons, it is best experienced in the spring and fall when temperatures are at their most comfortable and insects are generally not a problem. Congaree national park 100 national park rd hopkins sc 29061.
Congaree national park maps usa maps of congaree national. On the congaree river, this park is the largest portion of oldgrowth floodplain forest left in north america. Canoeing and fishing are also popular in this park. The event will help celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the first organized hikes into the parka sierra club outing on september 25, 1969. This is a beautiful park that is about 20 miles south of columbia, south carolina and about 120 miles northwest of charleston, south carolina. Rivers greenway go to the highlight of the trall is the section along the. Rangers and volunteers conduct interpretive walks and talks throughout the year. The 26,000 acre national park protects the largest intact tract of oldgrowth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the united states. At 19 feet the river covers most of the elevated boardwalk in the congaree national park.
The congaree national park is the largest stretch of old growth lowland forest in the united states. Browse expedias selection of 300 hotels and places to stay closest to congaree national park. Weather at congaree national park with a humid subtropical climate, the park experiences mild winters and very warm, wet summers. Here on npmaps youll find hundreds of pdf and image files of any u. Once in the park, paddlers have the opportunity to explore the hiking trails. View road national park road park entrance bluff trail weston lake trail boardwalk sims trail after hours parking river t r a i l a o a kri d g e tr i l k i n s n a k e t a i l calhoun c o u n t r c. Congaree national park trail map national park service. Mar 15, 2020 the congaree national park is the largest stretch of old growth lowland forest in the united states.
The trail offers excellent birdwatching, and hikers may spot deer, raccoons, opossums, and even bobcat tracks. Birds of congaree national parkdownload pdf 161 kb trees, shrubs, and vines partial species listdownload pdf 660 kb fishing regulationsdownload pdf. The groups goal was to make the forest into a national park, allowing it to be preserved, maintained, and enjoyed by the public. The congaree national park is a southern dream of swaying spanish moss, monumental old growth trees, humming bugs, and tranquil rivers. Directions from columbia metropolitan airport download pdf 199kb trail guide download map download trail descriptions. Some of the trees are the tallest in the eastern us, and the boardwalk loop is an elevated walkway through the swamp. Camping near congaree national park is easy with hipcamp, where private landowners offer oneofakind camping experiences. Dogs are welcomed, and people can find identification guides and other materials within the harry hampton visitors center. Top 10 hotels closest to congaree national park in columbia. The congaree river blue trail is a 50mile designated recreational paddling trail, extending from the state capital of columbia, downstream to congaree national park. Congaree national park topo map, richland county sc.
Congaree national parks floodplain creates the perfect terrain for hikers of all experience levels. The national park service publishes tons of great free maps. Youll find a few hiking trail maps as well as one of the full national park. Pdf files and external links will open in a new window. Apr 23, 2019 click to open a larger version of the congaree national park hiking trails map.
Congaree national park national park, south carolina. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. This is a congaree trail map 300 kb, showing the harry hampton visitor center and. Also, see the congaree national park website for more information on south carolinas only national park. Pdf teacher activity guide for cruising the congaree documents are pdf. Congaree national park, natural area in central south carolina, u. As spring approaches, this park becomes the perfect destination for adventurers of all ages looking to escape for an afternoon, night, or weekend to a southern paradise. The following are available for download in adobe pdf format. Today, the 26,000acre federally protected forest has the distinction of being an international biosphere reserve, a globally important bird area and a national natural landmark. Save on popular hotels near congaree national park, columbia. In addition, nearly twothirds of the park is designated a wilderness area. While the ecological significance of congaree national park has been well documented, it is also important to identify and study a broader range of social, cultural and economic values and benefits provided by the park in addition to those associated with biodiversity conservation. This is the official congaree national park map from the brochure, showing the visitor center, trails, roads, and campsites. The park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the united states.
Congaree national park is open every day except for christmas day. You can choose from eight different hiking trails or a free, ranger guided paddle through the park s diverse vegetation and wildlife. With trees an average of feet, the forest at congaree is one of the tallest broadleaved or deciduous forests in north america. Once upon a time, the bottomland forests of congaree national park flourished from the chesapeake bay to east texas.
Aug 8, 2016 congaree national park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the united states. After witnessing the damage that logging had inflicted on the surrounding land, local conservationists formed the congaree swamp national preserve association in the early 1970s. Hikers can meander along boardwalks over the floodplain or get deep into the parks backcountry and visit areas seldom seen by park visitors. Such an image certainly might have kept some visitors away from congaree swamp national. Anyone who is interested in visiting congaree national park can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. Extensive flooding also occurs in the congaree national park. The congaree river runs through the park and is part of the largest old growth floodplain forest left in north america. Authorized in 1976 as congaree swamp national monument, it was designated a national park and renamed in 2003. Midway, the trail passes a large cypresstupelo slough that seems to go on forever. Congaree national park is displayed on the gadsden usgs quad topo map. Congaree national park stock pictures, royaltyfree photos. Congaree national park offers hiking, primitive camping, bird watching, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking, and nature study. The kingsnake trail explores a remote part of congaree national park.
Two years later, it was designated a national park. Paddlers begin with an urban adventure experience, with quick access to the three rivers greenway hiking trails, as well as. Before visiting, please check with individual parks regarding changes to park. Learn about congaree national park history, attractions, jobs, schools and. Congaree national park 100 national park rd hopkins, sc. Geological survey publishes a set of the most commonly used topographic maps of the u. Sunday, october 27, 2019 friends of congaree swamp will hold its annual oyster roast and business meeting on sunday, october 27, 2019, at congaree national park. Some of the east coasts largest trees reside in congaree. Congaree national park topo map in richland county, south. The park has an area of 35 square miles 90 square km. A pdf map of the congaree river blue trail is available through the national park service website, at the harry hampton visitors center at congaree national park, and at local outdoors and paddling retailers. The park contains some of the tallest trees in eastern. National weather service advanced hydrologic prediction service. Congaree national park south carolina tourism official site.
Congaree natio al park 15 25 20 15 10 5 0 hopkins congaree eastover wateree fort motte to orangeburg and to and camden to and columbia f road mt. Birds of congaree national park download pdf 161 kb trees, shrubs, and vines partial species listdownload pdf 660 kb fishing regulationsdownload pdf. I currently have 1,7 free highresolution national park maps to view, save, and download. Hiking trails in congaree national park road trips.
On the other side of the trail, giant cherrybark oaks stand. The park hosts the national record size for several varieties of trees. 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 stoicism as it. While the ecological significance of congaree national park np has been well documented, it is also important to identify and study a broader range of social, cultural and economic values and benefits provided by the park in addition to those associated with biodiversity conservation. Top 10 hotels closest to congaree national park in. Friends of congaree swamp advocates for congaree national. With no entrance fee, there is really no excuse not to go explore this swath of land for all it is worth.
Congaree national park ramsar sites information service. The history of congaree national park howstuffworks. The park received its official designation in 2003 as the culmination of a grassroots campaign that began in 1969. The congaree national park track trail is a flat 2.
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