National Parks - Congaree

Congaree

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Bald Cypress and Tupelos along Cedar Creek

"Be still and know that I am God" -Psalm 46:10

Congaree National Park, South Carolina


Scenery		Old-growth forest, mainly swamp with huge pines and cypress
Uniqueness		Some of the last remaining old-growth floodplain forest on the east coast
Wildlife		Birds, wild pigs, snakes, turtles, more bugs than you can image
Diversity		Hiking and canoeing, routes limited
All ratings are on a "4-star" scale - for more on how these were assessed, view the how parks are rated page

The Park Congaree Swamp was designated a National Park in 2003 making it one of the Nation's youngest parks. At only 22,000 acres, it is also one of the smallest. The park protects one of the few remaining old forest areas in the once vast eastern floodplain.

In a Word "Tranquil"

Park Map
Click on red circles to see photos
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Map for reference only - not intended for navigation

Our Visit I visited Congaree NP in August 2006 during a business trip to Columbia, SC.

Our Weather The weather was hot (around 90 degrees), but very bearable for August.

Overall Impression Congaree doesn't feel like a National Park. You have to be looking for it to find it, and you won't find the usual National Park crowds on the trails. When you walk into the swamp, the most striking thing is the absolute stillness. The trees don't sway and the waters barely move, yet it feels so alive. The sound of cicadas, crickets, frogs and birds stands in stark contrast to the stillness. The vegetation closes in on the trail so much you feel that if you stood still for more than 30 minutes, the swamp will have absorbed you. This is a place for those who seek solitude.

Favorite Spot Standing along Cedar Creek on the Weston Lake Trail

1. Boardwalk Trail near the Visitors Center

Minimum Time Required About 1 hour. In an hour, you can take a quick 1.7 mile hike along the Boardwalk Trail through the swamp. This will give you a feel for the ecosystem and take you alongside some of the "champion" loblolly pine and bald cypress trees the park is known for. The park is surrounded by pinelands, but soon after you begin the trek down the boardwalk, the environment begins to change. The ground gets wetter, and the pines give way to large-based Tupelos and cypress. In many places, the cypress roots protude above the ground in clusters or "knees," giving the area a bizarre, fairy-tale appearance.

A Longer Visit A half to a full day is sufficient to hike most of the trails in the park. Additional time can be spent canoeing along peaceful Cedar Creek. All trails start from the Visitors Center's Boardwalk Trail, so ask a Ranger or volunteer which trails look the most promising that day. If you have at least 2-3 hours, take the Boardwalk Trail to Weston Lake Trail for a 4.5 mile hike through the heart of the swamp along Cedar Creek.

Whatever you do, take your time on the trails! Walk a minute, then stand still for a minute and look around. The stillness is amazing, and yet you begin to notice the life around you--ants scurrying, spiders weaving their webs, butterflies moving across the path and the sound of a nearby woodpecker. The loudest sound is that of your own feet on the boardwalk. If there aren't any crowds ahead of you, you may find a group of wild pigs rooting below the boardwalk (I startled such a group almost as much as they startled me). Every once and a while, look up. This area has some of the tallest trees east of the Mississippi, many reaching more than 150 feet!

2. Tranquil stand of Tupelos along Cedar Creek

Other Nearby Attractions (None noted)

Suggestions Wear old shoes with good tread. The boardwalk and trails are damp and slippery, so wear shoes you don't mind getting a little mud on.

Bring bug repellant. I didn't--you should.

Be prepared to be startled on occasion. I'm not a big fan of lizards, snakes or spiders, and I was startled by all of these at one point or another. They'll leave you alone, but sometimes you can't help but walk through a spider web or nearly trip over a large lizard. Also, keep an eye out for poison ivy and poison oak--long pants may help you here.

Photos Click on thumbnails to view larger image

3. Canoeing is allowed and would be a great way to spend a day in peace	4. The trees are extremely dense, and the trail isn't very wide in spots
5. Many of the fungi in the park look more like flowers. I saw pink, purple and yellow fungus.	6. Loblolly pines in the park reach upwards of 150 feet and dwarf many of the other trees making up the canopy.
7. In places, the cypress roots protrude above the surface in "knees" giving these areas a very strange appearance.	8. This was the biggest non-sea turtle I've ever seen. He was nearly 3 feet from nose-to-tail and reportedly hangs out near the Weston Lake overlook.