Congaree

https://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congaree_National_Park Congaree National Park is in central South Carolina. The park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. The lush trees growing in its floodplain forest are some of the tallest in the eastern United States, forming one of the highest temperate deciduous forest canopies remaining in the world. The Congaree River flows through the park. Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers sweep through the floodplain, carrying nutrients and sediments that nourish and rejuvenate this ecosystem and support the growth of national and state champion trees. From Interstate 77, Exit 5 At Exit 5 turn onto SC Hwy 48 East/Bluff Road. Following the brown and white "Congaree National Park" directional signs, travel approximately 8 miles on and then take a slight right onto Old Bluff Road. Follow Old Bluff Road for 4.5 miles to the park entrance sign, which will be on the right. Proceed one mile to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Parking lots will be on the right. Harry Hampton Visitor Center Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Closed New Year's Day, Presidents' Day/Washington's Birthday, Indigenous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. From Interstate 77, take Exit 5 and turn onto SC Hwy 48 East (Bluff Road). Drive approximately 8 miles and then take a slight right onto Old Bluff Road. Follow Old Bluff Road for 4.5 miles to the park entrance sign, which will be on the right. Proceed one mile to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Parking lots will be on the right. Short brick paths lead up to the Visitor Center. Inside you find an America's National Parks bookstore. Bluff Campground The Bluff Campground is a hike in campground and is perfect for those looking to camp in the frontcountry yet have a more backcountry experience. This campground has 6 sites that can accommodate up to 8 campers each. Each site has a firepit and a picnic table. Restrooms are available at either the visitor center or the Longleaf Campground, and water and park information is available at the visitor center. This is a pack it in/pack it out campground. Walk-up Individual Sites - Tent Only 10.00 6 sites are available for reservation and can accommodate between 1 to 8 campers each and 3 tents. A picnic table and firepit is on each site. Hikers with a park ranger beneath fall colors at Congaree National Park The boardwalk through Congaree National Park A fallen cypress tree spans Cedar Creek in Congaree National Park A hiker in the cypress forest of Congaree National Park The endless wet terrain and wide Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) trees in Congaree National Park. Longleaf Campground The Longleaf Campground offers walk up campsites for visitors wishing to camp in the frontcountry of Congaree. Campers may park and walk to their site. All campsites have a firepit and picnic table, and the campground has two vault toilets. 10 sites are for individuals or small groups of up to 8 people, while 4 sites are designated for larger groups from 9 to 24 people. The campground is a short drive from the visitor center, where running water is available, as well as park information. Walk-up Individual Sites - Tent Only 15.00 10 Individual Sites are available for reservation and use. Sites can accommodate from 1-8 individuals and 3 tents. Walk-up Group Sites - Tent Only 25.00 4 group campsites are available for groups of between 9 and 24 individuals and can accommodate up to 12 tents/structures. Sites have picnic tables and a firepit. Three children kayak on the water in the autumn A photo of facility Longleaf Campground with No Amenities Shown An orange tent pitched at Congaree National Park A photo of facility Longleaf Campground with No Amenities Shown Three children kayak on the water A bridge spans the water in the forest of Congaree National Park A photo of facility Longleaf Campground with No Amenities Shown Congaree River View of the Congaree River during the Fall View of the Congaree River during the Fall Listening to the Eclipse: National Park Service scientists join Smithsonian, NASA in nationwide project A solar eclipse is visually stunning, but what will it sound like? NPS scientists will find out by recording sounds in parks across the USA. An NPS scientist installs audio recording equipment in a lush valley at Valles Caldera NP. Army Couple Visits 59 National Parks When you’re a dual-military couple, it can be a challenge to try to find things to do together, especially when you’re at separate duty stations or on deployment. For one Army couple, what started out as a simple idea to get out of the house turned into a five-year adventure. Couple standing in front of The Windows at Arches National Park. Crystal Clear: Measuring the Occurrence, Sources, and Impacts of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Congaree National Park The primary objectives of the study are to (1) document the occurrence and distribution of EDC across a range of habitats, (2) document EDC impacts to local species, (3) document the potential for EDC reduction across a range of habitats by microcosm biodegradation experiments, and (4) identify possible methods to reduce EDCs at the source. view looking through trees to a calm serene lake Southeast Coast Network News July 2018 Southeast Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network newsletter for July 2018. NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Congaree National Park, South Carolina Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports. park scene wetlands A new science literacy standard This article is a review of a relatively recent publication, the "Framework for K–12 science education." "Information Crossfile" department articles synopsize selected publications relevant to natural resource management. Unless noted, articles are not reviewed by reference source author(s). Octagonal model for the eight science and engineering practices (not labelled) Celebrating soils across the National Park System First in a series of three "In Focus" articles that share insights into the near-universal and far-reaching effects of soils on the ecology, management, and enjoyment of our national parks. Fossil soils at Cabrillo National Monument reveal marine deposits Roping Up Invasive Plants Several partner groups worked together to pull the invasive beefsteak at Congaree National Park. Learn how to replicate this program in your park. group of adults hold banner in front of pick up truck filled with garbage bags National Park Service Commemoration of the 19th Amendment In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment the National Park Service has developed a number of special programs. This includes online content, exhibits, and special events. The National Park Service’s Cultural Resources Geographic Information Systems (CRGIS) announces the release of a story map that highlights some of these programs and provides information for the public to locate and participate. Opening slide of the 19th Amendment NPS Commemoration Story Map Monitoring Estuarine Water Quality in Coastal Parks: Fixed Station Monitoring Estuaries are the convergence of freshwater, delivered by rivers, to the ocean's salty sea water. The result is a delicate ecosystem providing existence for a multitude of fish and wildlife species. we have created the story map to help you learn more about how these estuaries formed, the potential issues they face, and the process of monitoring the water quality utilizing fixed station monitoring. Waterbirds congregate in an estuary at sunset. Monitoring Estuarine Water Quality in Coastal Parks: Park-wide Assessments Estuaries located in national parks provide recreational experiences such as fishing and boating for park visitors. Therefore, knowing what's in the water can assist the park in its mission of managing such a critcal resource. The Southeast Coast Network monitors water quality through fixed station monitoring and park-wide assessments. While the former is conducted on a monthly basis, park-wide assessments are completed every five years. Learn more with this story map. Dock stretching out into an estuary as the sun sets over the water. Series: Crystal Clear: A Call to Action In 2016, the nation celebrates the centennial of the National Park Service (NPS) as the steward of special places that represent our natural and cultural heritage. Many national parks were founded on the beauty and value of water. Since the preservation of the Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park in 1872, the National Park System has grown to include significant examples within majestic rivers, the Great Lakes, oceans and coasts, and other spectacular water resources. bright blue lake green islands in between Changing Patterns of Water Availability May Change Vegetation Composition in US National Parks Across the US, changes in water availability are altering which plants grow where. These changes are evident at a broad scale. But not all areas experience the same climate in the same way, even within the boundaries of a single national park. A new dataset gives park managers a valuable tool for understanding why vegetation has changed and how it might change in the future under different climate-change scenarios. Green, orange, and dead grey junipers in red soil, mountains in background Outside Science (inside parks): Synchronous Fireflies at Congaree National Park Join the Outside Science (inside parks) team at Congaree National Park as they dive into the luminous life of the firefly and learn how their behavior could apply to computer engineering! screengrab of a hand holding a petri dish with a firefly in it. Text reads Synchronous Fireflies National Park Getaway: Congaree National Park Congaree National Park, with more than 26,000 acres of near-virgin forest, is a portal to the past, to a time when millions of acres of old-growth bottomland hardwood forests towered along the banks of southeastern rivers. Rich in both natural and cultural heritage, Congaree offers a glimpse of what surrounding lands in the southeast once looked like. The signs of man’s influence on this wild place, from Native Americans to loggers, are still very evident today. Trees in a riverbank. When Communities Lead the Way Community (led) science takes scientific research outside park boundaries and into people’s lives. The effects can be transformational. Three women, one wearing a NPS uniform, stand smiling in front of a projector screen. Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park Service To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Project Profile: Implement Landscape-Scale Restoration of Eastern Grasslands to Improve Ecosystem Health The National Park Service will restore up to 4,000 acres of agricultural fields and degraded lands across 35 parks in 14 states. This landscape-scale restoration project will expand the range and connectivity of native grasslands across the eastern US, restore biodiversity and critical ecosystem functions, reduce pesticide use, benefit people and wildlife, and create employment opportunities for diverse early career youth. A park manager and others standing amidst a grassy landscape.