Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park
IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
Location	Richland County, South Carolina, USA
Nearest city	Columbia, South CarolinaNearest city: Columbia, South Carolina
Coordinates	33°47′0″N 80°47′0″W / 33.783333°N 80.783333°W / 33.783333; -80.783333Coordinates: 33°47′0″N 80°47′0″W / 33.783333°N 80.783333°W / 33.783333; -80.783333
Area	21,867.02 acres (88.4927 km2) 21,116.91 acres (85.4571 km2) federal
Established	10 November 2003 Established: 10 November 2003
Visitors	134,045 (in 2006)
Governing body	National Park Service

Congaree National Park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. Located in South Carolina, the park is 22,000 acre (89 km²). The lush trees growing in this floodplain forest are some of the tallest in the Eastern U.S., forming one of the highest natural canopies remaining in the world. Bald cypress is a common tree in the park. The Congaree River flows through the park. 15,000 acres (60.70 km²) or about 70 percent of the park is designated wilderness area.

Cedar Creek

While largely recognized as a sanctuary for animal and plant life, Congaree National Park features primitive campsites and offers hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and bird watching. Large animals possibly seen in the park include bobcats, black bears, deer, feral pigs, feral dogs, coyotes, and turkeys. Its waters contain interesting creatures like amphibians, turtles, snakes, alligators, and many types of fish like bowfin, largemouth bass, panfish, catfish, and pike. Primitive and backcountry camping is available. Hiking trails are found in the park as well as a 20-mile (32 km) marked canoe trail on Cedar Creek.

In 1969, the Sierra Club launched a grassroots campaign to save this area of old growth forest from private landowners interested in the relatively high timber prices. The result of this campaign was the establishment by Congress of Congaree Swamp National Monument on October 18, 1976. It became an International Biosphere Reserve on June 30, 1983. Over two-thirds of the park was designated a wilderness area on October 24, 1988, and it became an Important Bird Area on July 26, 2001. Following an increase in its authorized boundary, it became a national park on November 10, 2003.

Old Growth Forest

Most visitors to the park walk along the Boardwalk Loop, an elevated walkway through the swampy environment that protects delicate fungi and plant life at ground level. Canoe rides through the swamp are conducted for free every Saturday and Sunday.

The Harry Hampton Visitor Center features exhibits about the natural history of the park, and the efforts to protect the swamp.

Documentary

In 2008, South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV) began shooting a documentary on the history of the Congaree National Park titled Roots in the River: The Story of Congaree National Park. The story features interviews with people involved in the movement that eventually led to the area's U.S. National Monument status, and observes the role the park plays in the surrounding community of the Lower Richland County area of South Carolina. The program is scheduled to air on the SCETV network in September 2009.

References

• The National Parks: Index 2001–2003. Washington: U.S. Department of the Interior.
• http://www.scetv.org/index.php/press/release/etv_to_broadcast_new_carolina_stories_documentary_roots_in_the_river

External links

• Official site: Congaree National Park
• Friends of Congaree Swamp
• Wilderness.net page on the park
• Panoramic photo of the exhibits in the Harry Hampton Visitor Center
• Article about the Congaree Swamp and efforts to protect it

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