Congaree National Park Things to Do

Lightning Strikes As they grow, loblolly pines emerge above the canopy. Loblollies are the tallest trees in the forest, making them easy targets for lightning strikes. The damage from a lightning strike to the tree is actually an opportunity for beetles, termites, and fungi to thrive. There was once a tree just off the trail with evidence of a lightning strike, but that tree has fallen.

Dwarf Palmettos South Carolina is known as the Palmetto State. It is named after the state tree, the cabbage palmetto. The short fan-like palms beside the boardwalk are dwarf palmettos (Sabal minor), a relative of the cabbage palmetto. They are one of the hardiest palms due to their ability to withstand freezing temperatures. Dwarf palmettos thrive best in wet, sandy areas where disturbance, like a hurricane, causes a gap in the canopy, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor.

Moonshine Still The 18th Amendment was passed in 1919, prohibiting the sale and consumption of alcohol in the United States. Moonshiners and bootleggers found refuge in places like the Congaree River floodplain to earn a living. The iron box you see in the distance is an old still used to make alcohol. Water and corn squeezings were used to make mash. The mash was heated and distilled through copper tubing to produce moonshine. The Congaree floodplain’s difficult terrain and tall trees made it a perfect place for moonshiners to hide stills and produce their illegal liquor.

Hurricane Hugo On September 21, 1989, Hurricane Hugo left its mark in this part of the forest. Accompanying tornados likely touched down here, leaving large open gaps in the canopy. Many large trees did not survive, but seedlings and vines sprouted afterwards due to the abundant sunlight reaching the forest floor. Disturbances like these play an active part in forest renewal.

The park store is operated by America's National Parks, an official non-profit partner of the National Park Service dedicated to supporting the educational mission of Congaree National Park. The park store has a wide range of books, media, educational games, and other items available for retail sale. These products complement the interpretive themes you experience when visiting the park. The park store is located at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, or you can visit the online park store.

American Beech Tree This American beech (Fagus grandifolia) tree, identified by its smooth gray bark, is likely over 100 years old. The species was an important source of food in the floodplain for American Indians and early settlers; beech nuts were collected and ground into four for bread and meal cakes.

A Former Champion The grand tree you see here is a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). It is unusual to find pines growing in wetland areas; however, loblollies can tolerate living in wet conditions better than other species. Loblolly pines are the tallest trees in South Carolina. This tree is over 150 feet tall and is a former state champion. Due to ongoing construction, this is currently the last stop on the Self Guided Boardwalk Tour! We hope you enjoyed this experience. To return to the visitor center, please continue until you reach the gravel Sims Trail (trail marker #2), then turn right. Alternatively, you can always retrace your steps along the Boardwalk.

Weston Lake Overlook Once a bend in the Congaree River, Weston Lake is now an oxbow lake. Over 2,000 years ago the river gradually changed its course and meandered south, leaving behind Weston Lake. The lake is slowly filling in with clay and organic debris. Freshwater turtles, such as the yellowbellied slider and common snapping turtle, are often spotted here in the warmer months. All plants and animals in the park are protected. You can help protect wildlife by not handling, disturbing, or feeding them.

Prescribed Fire Fire has always been a natural occurrence in this forest. Today, the National Park Service manages the health of the forest through prescribed fires, which help restore the natural fire regime and provide habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Loblolly pines are tolerant of fire and are normally left unscathed when fire severity is low to moderate. This fallen loblolly continued to burn after a prescribed fire due to a naturally caused injury at the base of the trunk. After the tree fell, resource managers sectioned the tree to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

Harry Hampton As a reporter and editor for The State newspaper, Harry Hampton began a campaign in the 1950s to save the Congaree River foodplain. An avid outdoorsman and hunter, he spent time exploring the old-growth forest. The Sims Trail you are crossing is a former road. Roads historically used by hunters, fishermen, and loggers are scattered throughout the park. They serve as a reminder of the long human history and use of the land. Many people, like Harry Hampton, had a strong connection to the forest and fought to protect it. Their efforts led to the establishment of Congaree Swamp National Monument in 1976 (re-designated as Congaree National Park in 2003).

Maroon Settlements Just a few miles from here, where the Congaree and Wateree Rivers meet, a maroon settlement once existed. These settlements were comprised of individuals who escaped slavery on nearby plantations and formed their own independent communities. Rivers provided a means for travel, finding food and acquiring supplies. Dense vegetation in the floodplain forest, like the twisted roots seen here, provided safety because of the difficulty it posed for enslavers and slave catchers attempting to traverse it in pursuit of those who had escaped.

Congaree This forest existed long before it was protected as a national park. The natural sounds you hear today are some of the same sounds heard by the Congaree and Catawba tribes that came here long ago. Take a moment to listen to the forest. You may be surprised by what you hear. The forest comes alive with the sounds of songbirds, frogs, and the wind blowing through the trees. What would this forest look and sound like if it had not been protected?

Where the Trail Begins The Boardwalk begins (and ends) just outside the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Please be aware, there are no restrooms, water fountains, trash cans, or facilities beyond this point. Please be sure you have everything you need before you go, and be prepared to pack out any waste! Dog waste bags are available 24/7 on the wall outside the visitor center, to the right of the map station.