Congaree National Park is a place of tremendous ecological diversity. During the summer months, Congaree is hot and humid. If it is on a trail, find a route around it or wait for it to move on its own. Other common sightings include the white-tailed deer, skinks, and brown water snakes. You may need additional items depending on current conditions and the activity in which you participate (e.g. Your email address will not be published. 29061, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Adequate preparation, constant attention, and good judgement will help make your hike a safe and enjoyable experience. Carry plenty of water. At 26,000 acres, it is the 7th smallest park. Baldcypress knees. The 75 species of trees that grow in the bottomland forests of Congaree National Park provide a life-sustaining habitat for all kinds of mammals, fish, reptiles, and birds. Learn more here. NPS Photo. The cost is currently $10 for individual sites, $20 for group sites, and $5 at the Bluff Campground. According to the EPA, a bottomland hardwood forest is a river swamp. Interesting Facts about Congaree National Park, Geography and Maps of Congaree National Park, Best Things to Do in Congaree National Park. Congaree National Park is part of the UNESCO Congaree Biosphere Reserve. Where are Acadia National Parks visitor centers? Hopkins, But once visitors set foot on Congarees 2.4-mile boardwalk, it becomes clear that this is not your average national park. The difficulty can vary based on conditions in the park. The main way to prevent a negative snake encounter is to keep an eye on where you are walking and take care in tall grass and around downed logs. In 2003, Congress officially designated the monument a National Park, and today, the parks 26,276 acres of land and water make it a terrific destination for outdoor activities of all kinds. Congaree National Park Check List iNaturalist Id seen plenty of rat snakes before, and Ive always appreciated them because of their sheer size, and varied appetite. Check conditions here! Learn more about prescribed burns, and how fire can be an essential tool in both preventing wildfires and helping certain ecosystems thrive. This hike is quick and easy, as long as it is not flooded or muddy. When theyre not underwater, Congaree has 25 miles of hiking trails, and the parks waterways also make for a great canoe or kayaking trip for truly adventurous souls. It is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. At 26,000 acres, it is the 7th smallest park. Park visitors can camp at the parks campgrounds year round. Where the cypress trees grow, cypress kneesvertical outgrowths of the cypress rootscan also be found protruding from the surface of the water. Tim and I canoed downstream on the creek, silently drifting past tupelos and bald cypress trees. Read all of our articles about the United States in our United States Travel Guide.