Congaree National Park is worth a visit on your next East Coast road trip.Congaree National Park, set in Hopkins, South Carolina, is a 27,000 acres (10,926 ha) park. Columbia, lying 20 mi (32 km) northwest of Congaree, is the nearest large city.Congaree National Park: interesting factsThe park’s southern boundary extends along the Congaree River, and small lakes, streams, and rivers pass through it.Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and tent camping are all options for energetic adventurers, as is backcountry camping, which is more basic. Backcountry camping is an excellent choice for individuals who truly want to ‘rough it.‘There are no authorized backcountry campsites, so you may camp wherever you choose as long as you are 100 ft (30.4 m) away from the riverbanks.There are nine hiking trails to choose from in Congaree National Park. There is also the Boardwalk Loop Trail.The Boardwalk Loop is just what it sounds like: a flat, easy-going boardwalk that circles through the woodland. This is a terrific alternative for strollers and wheelchairs, allowing everyone to appreciate the forest and witness some of the park’s flora and creatures.Congaree National Park LocationCongaree National Park is a 26,276 acre (10633 ha) American national monument in central South Carolina, spread across 41.1 sq mi (106.3 sq km), located 18 mi (29 km) southeast of Columbia.The national parks protect the greatest remaining area of bottomland hardwood champion trees in old-growth forests in the United States.The luxuriant trees that grow in its delta forest are among the tallest in the eastern United States, providing one of the world’s tallest trees, temperate deciduous forest canopies.The park is traversed by the Congaree River. A wilderness area of approximately 15,000 acres (6070 ha) in a stretch of 23.4 sq mi (60.7 sq km) has been defined.According to natural history, the Congaree National Park was officially designated as the Congaree Swamp National Monument in 1976.Park’s history starts with a grassroots revolution that started in 1969.With 145,929 visits in 2018, it is the 10th-least frequented national park in the United States.The Congaree National Park has a humid subtropical climate with moderate winters and very warm, rainy summers.While the region is accessible throughout the year, it is best enjoyed in the spring and fall, when temperatures are at their lowest and insects are often not a concern.Flooding does not have to occur in Congaree; any major rain in the upland of South Carolina might produce a surge in water levels.Wildlife In Congaree National ParkThere are many small and large animals in the Congaree River complex.Deer, wild dogs, coyotes, bobcats, turkeys, otters, opossums, and armadillos are among the large creatures found in Congaree National Park.Congaree National Park’s waterways are home to a variety of species, including alligators, snakes, turtles, and other amphibians.Congaree National Park’s waterways are home to alligator gar, catfish, and bowfin.Congaree National Park’s notable hiking trails include King Snake Trail, canoe trail, Oakridge Trail, Weston Lake Loop Trail, and Bluff Trail.Bobcats, deer, feral pigs, feral dogs, coyotes, armadillos, turkeys, and otters are among the large creatures that may be spotted in the park.Its waters are home to a variety of intriguing species, including frogs, turtles, snakes, and a variety of fish, including bowfin, alligator gar, and catfish.Invasive Species In Congaree National ParkFeral pigs are invasive animals that are wreaking havoc on the Congaree National Park’s floodplain forest habitat. The feral hog, often known as the wild pig, is a very destructive, invasive species that may be found in Congaree National Park and across much of the United States.When a non-native organism spreads into a new location, it poses a hazard to the environment, economy, or public health. People may purposefully or inadvertently introduce non-native species.Invasive organisms spread swiftly and uncontrollably. They disrupt natural food cycles, ruin natural habitats, destroy agricultural goods, diminish tourism, and spread illnesses in the process.Management of invasive species is a major economic, scientific, and policy challenge for both public and private landowners.Feral pigs pose a threat to Congaree National Park’s floodplain woodland because they are:Feral pigs root through acres of forest floor, creating mud wallows and path networks.It is capable of producing two litters of up to ten piglets per year.Worms, roots, reptiles, acorns, amphibians, berries, eggs, fungus, freshwater mussels, leaves, invertebrates, fruit, and many more things make up their diet.Feral pigs have been spotted purposely ramming plant life and then eating the falling fruit.Feral pigs are habitat generalists, able to thrive in a variety of environments.Wild turkeys and white-tailed deer, for example, rely on the same resources as feral pigs need for food, water, and shelter.There are few natural predators of feral pigs.The excrement from feral hogs can potentially pollute water with disease-causing microorganisms.What is Congaree National Park famous for?The Congaree swamp forest has massive hardwoods, champion trees, cypress trees, towering pines, and a cedar creek.The lush trees have one of the world’s tallest canoes. The park serves as a refuge for plants and animals.A study facility for scientists and a peaceful wilderness environment for park walks and resting.Congaree’s beautiful natural characteristics draw many people, but the environment also has a rich cultural legacy.Congaree national park has been home to Americans from many walks of life, from ancient inhabitants to Revolutionary War heroes to runaway slaves.For thousands of years, Native Americans lived in Congaree National Park, finding life in the many natural resources that the floodplain provided.African American slaves used the floodplain as a refuge and a place to find liberty. After emancipation, they fished Cedar Creek, hunted along its banks, and baptized children in its waters.Congaree National Park is still a great place for fishing as well as hiking, camping, and boating.
Congaree National Park is worth a visit on your next East Coast road trip.
