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. Note: Bridge J is damaged (~2.5 miles from Cedar Creek Canoe Access) and is impassable. The Congaree and Wateree Rivers wind through the park, providing the sediment and nutrients that nourish and rejuvenate this vibrant ecosystem. Mileages are approximate and are based on all trails being passable. The majority of trails begin from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and vary in length. The Cedar Creek Canoe Trail is a roughly 15-mile paddle through the heart of Congaree National Park, beginning at Bannister Bridge and continuing all the way to the Congaree River. This short spur trail connects the Visitor Center parking lots with Bluff Trail. There are a number of trails at Congaree which are available for foot travel only. See the gigantic loblolly pines of Congaree National Park. 647 Followers, 2 Following, 16 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Congaree National Park (@congareenationalpark) FEES & PERMIT DETAILS! From the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, follow the signs for the River Trail to reach the Congaree River, a curling ribbon of water that forms the park’s southern border. Fork Swamp Trail (#9) MODERATE Hopkins, SC The Sims Trail follows an old gravel road and runs from the Bluff Trail on its northern end to Cedar Creek at its southern end, crossing the boardwalk twice. They are, however, usually flat with little elevation gain, making them easier to walk. Explore the many trails and paddle down the river! Congaree National Park: congaree river trail. 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. The lush trees growing in its floodplain forest are some of the tallest in the eastern United States, forming one … If Congaree’s old-growth forest, towering trees, and great ecological diversity inspire awe, it remains that the park has received little publicity since it was established in 1976 (as Congaree Swamp National Monument) following a grassroots campaign that barely managed to prevent the old-growth forest from being logged out of existence. 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. It begins at the Cedar Creek Canoe Launch parking area about 6 miles from the visitor center. It was fairly dry, so areas that are sometimes underwater were dry. Key Features: Complete offline map and Offline Data CAMP GROUND DETAILS! The main attractions of this national park are held on some of South Carolina's most beautiful trails. The vast park is known for its bucolic walking trails… The 11.7-mile Kingsnake Trail is the longest hiking trail in Congaree National Park. NOTE: There are alligators in Congaree National Park. The largest of the two designated campsites in the Congaree National Park is the Longleaf Campground. Depending on what you want to see, trails can lead you to oxbow lakes, the Congaree River, … Midway, the trail passes a large cypress-tupelo slough that seems to go on forever. CURRENT CONDITIONS: OPEN TRAILS INFORMATION! Trail Guide - Download Map Download Trail Descriptions. Closed in … All trails start at the Visito Mileages are approximate and are based on all trails being passable. The park's newest trail (opened summer 2020) was constructed by area high schoool students employed in the Youth Conservation Corps program. The Bluff Trail passes through a young forest of loblolly and longleaf pines. CURRENT CONDITIONS: OPEN CURRENT CONDITIONS: OPEN Hikers can meander along boardwalks over the floodplain or get deep into the park’s backcountry and visit areas seldom seen by park visitors. There is a boardwalk that stretches for almost 2.5 miles, but there are walking trails … 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. The trail leads to the Congaree River, the lifeblood of the national park's great natural diversity. Originally founded as Congaree Swamp National Monument in 1976, the park is home to more than 15,000 acres of wilderness and covers almost 25,000 acres total. Congaree National Park fits this easily. The Bates Ferry Trail is a 1.1-mile trail located on the eastern edge of Congaree National Park. based on length, conditions and difficulty of navigation. Lower Boardwalk Trail, Congaree National Park (5) This photo was taken during our first visit to Congaree National Park in June 2011. It includes both an upper high boardwalk and lower boardwalk. CURRENT CONDITION: OPEN What you will see is only a small portion of the 11,000 acres of old-growth forest in Congaree National Park, one … On our visit some of the lower portions were flooded. Congaree National Park is a 27,000-acre expanse in Hopkins. All kinds of wildlife, from alligators to otters, thrive in the Congaree National Park, and the experience is yours for the taking. Weston Lake Loop Trail (#3) - MODERATE The amazing thing is that it is free. Each of the park’s 10 trails start at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and range in length from 0.3 miles all the way to 11.7 miles. Directions from Columbia Metropolitan Airport - Download (PDF - 199KB). 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. WEATHER FORECAST! Round Trip Distance: 7.0 miles. The national park closed many of their trails and services because of the coronavirus. CURRENT CONDITIONS: OPEN except for Western side of the trail which is CLOSED due to flood damage. When the river is low, a large sandbar may be visible. It’s, conveniently, right by the entrance of the reserve, just off Old Bluff Road. Explore Congaree National Park Camping in Congaree National Park, South Carolina with Recreation.gov. Round Trip Distance: 2.2 miles. Hiking the park's many trails lets you get up close and personal with Congaree National Park. Round Trip Distance: 1.8 miles This makes the terrain very flat with little elevation change. There are a number of trails at Congaree which are available for foot travel only. It's located right outside the Visitors Center after you park. CURRENT CONDITIONS: OPEN, MAY BE DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW IN SOME AREAS; USE CAUTION Congaree National Park is a 26,276-acre (41.1 sq mi; 106.3 km 2) American national park in central South Carolina, 18 miles south-west of the state capital, Columbia.The park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. Round Trip Distance: 2.6 miles The majority of trails begin from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and vary in length. Distance: 0.3 miles (one-way distance), This short trail branches off from the Bluff Trail and provides access to the Longleaf Campground. The Congaree National Park is a great testament to how the Congaree River Blue Trail can connect people to a river and a park. Trails are rated EASY, MODERATE or DIFFICULT based on length, conditions and difficulty of navigation. Loblolly pines, oaks, maples and holly can also be observed. CURRENT CONDITIONS: OPEN The Best Trails At Congaree National Park Hiking. Boardwalk Loop. - See 534 traveler reviews, 669 candid photos, and great deals for Hopkins, SC, at Tripadvisor. Spur Trail (#10) EASY 100 National Park Road After crossing a wooden footbridge over Cedar Creek, the first of four footbridges on the trail, the Kingsnake Trail winds through the most remote part of the national park. Longleaf and Bluff campgrounds are located above the floodplain in the upland region of Congaree National Park. Many of the park trails can be accessed from th To learn more about Congaree National Park, visit www.nps.gov. 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