Boardwalk Loop Trail - Congaree National Park

Concluding our November 2021 visit to Congaree National Park, we walked the 2.6-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail. This is a combination of the Low and Elevated Boardwalks. The boardwalk starts behind the visitor center just beyond the breezeway.

Large gathering spot for ranger talks and walks near the trailhead

Dorovan muck

One of many sloughs in the park

Water tupelos (Nyssa aquatica)

Closer view of a water tupelo

Typical low boardwalk

Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) knees

Switch cane (Arundinaria tecta)

Typical bridge

Another slough with Water Tupelo and Bald Cypress trees

The trail ahead is closed due to a bridge washout

Recently rebuilt low boardwalk

Fallen trees open up the canopy

Weaving through the old growth forest

Sunlight penetrating the canopy

Tall canopy

Crossing an old road now known as the Sims Trail

The wide-open Sims Trail

Water Tupelo and Bald Cypress

Reflections

Back to "solid" ground

This Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) is over 150 feet tall

Same tree from another angle

A bridge over a "gut" or low channel that disperses floodwaters

Trail junction

Weston Lake Loop trail passes under the Elevated Boardwalk

A waterside view of Weston Lake

Transition from Low Boardwalk to Elevated Boardwalk

Weston Lake from the observation deck

Typical Elevated Boardwalk

Hornet's nest

Open canopy thanks to Hurricane Hugo (1989)

Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor)

Remains of a moonshine still

More open sky

Back on the Low Boardwalk

Crossing Sims Trail again

Standing water with a translucent layer on top

Another view of the film covering the water

Crossing another slough

There is no entrance fee at Congaree National Park.

The Congaree National Park website is https://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm.

Harry Hampton Visitor Center - Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park was established by an act of Congress on November 10, 2003. It is the seventh smallest national park with an authorized size of 27,276 acres. Located less than twenty miles southeast of Columbia, South Carolina, the park is relatively easy to visit by driving. To reach the park from exit 5 on Interstate-77, turn east on South Carolina route 48 and drive 8.1 miles before veering right onto Old Bluff Road. Continue on Old Bluff Road for 4.4 miles and then turn right onto National Park Road. Drive 1.2 miles to the visitor center parking lot. The paved lot has designated spaces for four handicap-placarded vehicles, 8 RVs, and 66 standard-sized passenger vehicles.

The visitor center has the usual amenities including an information desk, exhibits, a bookstore, and a theater/auditorium. Most of the visitor center, including the exhibit area and auditorium, remain closed due to COVID-19 protocols. We visited the park in early November 2021. You can read about our previous visit in April 2012 here.

The pathway from the parking lot to the visitor center

Harry Hampton was one of the key people in the creation of the park

Rustic exterior

Exhibits

Bookstore

Junior Ranger vests in several colors

Some of the "COVID protocol" bookstore

Coffee mugs and a bird exhibit

There is no entrance fee at Congaree National Park.

The Congaree National Park website is https://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm.