Insights

Sometimes, a wild turkey rustles the twigs. Don't worry, it's a few times a month and not spammy. In fact, it’s only a few meters off the famous trunks of the Great Smoky Mountains, which puts the pine up there with the lankiest examples in the whole of America. After leaving behind the visitor’s center that sits off Old Bluff Road, you delve straight into the old coastal woodlands. Kings Mountain National Military Park. There are two designated campgrounds in Congaree National Park: You can also Backcountry Camp for free, but you must get a permit at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center on the day of your arrival to the park. It’s a prime spot for photo buffs and animal lovers. They do this as they search for mates. Winter (November to February) – Mild temperatures with highs of the mid-50s. Congaree National Park is also a great place to fish and is allowed with a valid South Carolina fishing license. That can be rented from a whole host of nearby outfitters. What you see will depend on the Congaree National Park weather. On wet, rainy days, there’s likely to be pop-up floods ringing the base of colossal champion trees and gnarled oaks. They can pierce into narrow inlets and wiggle niftily between the hulking pines and hardwoods better than any bulky boardwalk trail. The Cedar Creek Canoe Trail winds approximately 15 miles through the Congaree Wilderness and is a great way to see a different part of park. The park has an official mosquito meter that goes from mild to war zone. Thunderstorms are common and can occur with little to no warning. Unlike fireflies when they normally fly around, they usually only hover 3-4 feet above ground during synchronization. Thank you for supporting Local Adventurer. There’s also an 18-minute film to introduce guests to the various natural wonders the park holds. There’s something about the way the light filters through the rows of champion trees, gums, elms and oaks here that makes it an amazing place to crack out the lens and the filters. There is a mosquito/bug meter at the visitor center that goes from mild to a war zone. Flooding is most frequent this time of year. There, it clutches the Manchester State forest some 45 minutes’ drive from Kingsville. Others aim to trek boardwalk trails. You can find out the dates of the tours on the National Park website. Required fields are marked *. Hi. Always carry a map and compass regardless of how long you plan on paddling. Be sure to check in with the Visitor Center to find out current conditions, but here are a few things to keep in mind. It is permitted in all areas of the park except for the Weston Lake overlook and the area 100 feet around the overlook. Cowpens National Battlefield. It repellent will affect the fireflies. Weather Appropriate Clothes. “Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust. If you are a novice paddler or don’t want to bother with your own equipment, sign up for a Ranger Led Canoe Tour. Individual sites can have up to 3 tents and 8 people, group sites can have up to 10 tents and between 9 to 24 people. We also heard warblers and saw Cardinals during our visit. The park provides updates and information on timing, trails that are set up for prime viewing, and premium viewing times. At least one adult (18 or older) must be in each canoe, Participants must know how to swim without the aid of a flotation device. Setting up chairs, hammocks, and/or blankets is not allowed. Each tent spot also comes with a picnic table and a fire pit for those evenings of marshmallow roasting. You can also pick up a Junior Ranger program, check for ranger programs, and watch the park video. Water levels can fluctuate up to 10 feet on the creek – be aware of what they are before starting. You can look up photos of what they look like here. All opinions are always our own. As you paddle, be sure to keep an eye out for otters, turtles, rare waterfowl, and even the formidable crocodile (there are a few in these parts). Fall colors peak between late October and early November. Yep, all budding photographers traveling through the Palmetto State should be sure to add Congaree to their list. Experts have hailed the Millford Plantation as one of the most accomplished examples of Greek Revival building in the High Hills of Santee. Trail maps, brochures, water, and restrooms are available at the Visitor Center breezeway 24 hours a day. Boardwalk Loop Trail (2.4 miles) – An elevated trail that takes you through the old-grown hardwood forest. You can get water 24 hours a day at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. National Parks you can visit near Congaree National Park, « Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. The park does not rent canoes or kayaks. Kayaks are perfectly suited to navigating this wetland. They offer a well-managed and maintained area for you to see the old-growth gum woods up close and personal. With Columbia, SC so close, you can stay in the city and visit the park each day. It's like walking through a cypress forest on a boardwalk. Arrive at 6 to get a decent parking spot (since there are only 50 established spots) otherwise you have to walk. On drier mornings, you can see the crispy undergrowth, blooms of lichen, and emerald mosses clambering up the roots. Join over 400,000 readers! They come to glide on kayaks through misty bayous. We’re currently based in Las Vegas but have also lived in NYC, Portland, San Diego, and LA. A history fix awaits just to the east. There is also a brochure you can pick up at the Visitor Center to learn more about the natural and cultural history. We saw a lot of park visitors with their dogs during our visit. I hate the idea that a fear can hold me back from doing something that I truly enjoy. If you want to learn more about the natural and cultural history of the park, go on a guided walk and talk led by park rangers or volunteers. These only happen in the Spring (usually in April and May) and Fall (September to mid-November) on Friday and Saturdays. That’s another time when photo buffs will want to get out early. Bates Ferry Trail #7 (2.2 miles) – Follow a 1920s ferry road south to the Congaree. You will want to dress in layers as the park heats up as the sun rises. When I found out that there was a place where hundreds of them blink in synchronization, I knew I had to see this phenomenon for myself. To obtain a permit, you must have a valid state-issued ID. Reservations are required and can be made online or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Make sure you stick to the middle of the river to prevent bugs or snakes dropping down from trees into your canoe or kayak. Entrance to Congaree National Park is free. Tent rates start at $10 USD/night. We can't wait to explore this park again and see more of the park. Running for nearly five miles, the route starts on the so-called Low Boardwalk and breaks away into the woods on a path leading southward. At first glance, it’s the vision of what the country estates of tycoons and luminaries would have looked like back in the 1800s. It clocks up 2.4 miles in length and crosses some of the most quintessential parts of the park. How We Made OVER $17K in March 2019 – Travel Blog Income Report. Join over 400,000 readers! What you can catch:  Catfish, bream, crappie and others can be caught in Cedar Creek or in Oxbow lakes and striped bass on the Congaree river. Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. Hiking trails start right from the doorstep of the Longleaf facility. Check out our guide to all the national parks in the U.S. here! You’ll need to strike out eastwards from the Congaree National Park to find it. We are ATLiens who explore a new city every year. Spring (March to May) – Best time to visit the park. There are 6 individual sites that allow up to 3 tents and 8 people. It hides in the heart of the Congaree reserve. Insects scramble up the timber and the calls of water birds echo through the woods. Did you get to see the synchronous fireflies? Parking is very limited. Oakridge Trail #4 (7 miles) – Hike through old-growth forest, along a subtle ridge, and keep your eye out for wildlife like deer and turkey. During the dawn light, the aqua ripples and mirrors the look of the forest in magical ways. Weston Lake Loop Trail #3 (4.4 miles) – Gives you great views of Cedar Creek. One of the great highlights of the Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve is its series of lookout points. On early fall mornings, the 2.4-mile boardwalk trail is a great place to go hunting the perfect shot. You will need to bring your own or rent one in Columbia, South Carolina. For the serious paddlers, check out this 50-mile designated trail. Done gawping at the great champion trees of Congaree National Park itself? It drops through thickets of green leaves to the undergrowth of mushrooms and decaying leaves. Go on wildlife safari adventures; to spot armadillos and feral pigs. If you plan on using insect repellent, apply it BEFORE entering the park. Participants must meet the following requirement: The park provides all canoes, paddles, and personal flotation devices, you are responsible for: This is the biggest highlight of the park. As they expertly guide you along the river, they will tell you more about the natural and cultural history of the park. It’s immersed in the lowland swamps that filter off the edge of the Congaree River at the north end of Lake Marion. It instantly gets you surrounded by high trees that tower 10s of meters overhead and offers glimpses of the unique flora and fauna of the reserve. If you want to see the park from a different angle, you can hop in a canoe or kayak and follow the marked Cedar Creek Canoe Trail. You’re instantly immersed in gigantic tupelo trunks and hardwood trees. Fort Sumter National Monument and Fort Moultrie (111 mi / 2 hrs. The fine specimen can be found splintering high above the canopy. There are moments where you hike alongside creeks peppered with gum trees where beavers have gnawed the timbers. - Robin S. There are a ton of great things to do at Congaree NP! You can see what is planned on the Schedule of Events. That’s 15 full miles of aqua-based adventure. Fort Sumter National Monument and Fort Moultrie. Each year Congaree offers free Ranger-guided canoe tours of the park. I’ll be scrolling through Instagram and even if a photo of a bug comes up, I chuck my phone across the room. Best Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park + Essential Tips for Your Visit, Congaree National Park (Images of Modern America), Congaree National Park Official National Park Site, Nature’s Return: An Environmental History of Congaree National Park, National Geographic’s Guide to Congaree NP, T+L’s Incredible US National Park You’ve Never Heard Of. Fort Union National Monument - New Mexico, Charles Pinckney National Historic Site - South Carolina, Things to do in Petrified Forest National Park. The morning was lovely and the afternoon was warm and humid! This is a great way to see more of the park and spend time exploring the trails. If you plan on shooting, do not use flash. The Congaree Visitor Center is a great place to start your visit to Congaree NP. When we were heading to Congaree National Park with Experience Columbia SC, I started to do some research and saw that one of the things repeatedly mentioned was… the bugs. When the river breaks its banks they turn into swampland, and the currents bring rich alluvial deposits that help the curious champion trees and pines soar so high. Cue the Millford Plantation Historic Site. Be prepared for the weather, humidity, and bugs during your visit. Learn more about Park Ranger John. It’s amazing how calming it can be as you float down the river, and something about not being on a trail made it feel like I was exploring untouched land. Bluff Trail #1 (1.7 miles) – Takes you through a young forest of loblolly and longleaf pines. You can see why the park was created to protect the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Although you can visit during any season, the best time to go is spring and fall because the weather is best. They offer a well-managed and maintained area for you to see the old-growth gum woods up close and personal. Note: Stay midstream.

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