Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park Welcome to Congaree National Park's Official page! We welcome your comments and hope that our conversations here will be courteous.
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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. We hope this page

will provide you with insight into Congaree National Park and encourage you to visit. You are fully responsible for the content of your comments. We do not discriminate against any views, but we reserve the right to delete any of the following:

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-You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information provided. Communication made through this serviceโ€™s e-mail and/or messaging system will in no way constitute a legal or official notice or comment to the U.S. Department of the Interior (or bureau) or any official or employee of the U.S. Department of the Interior (or bureau) for any purpose. References to commercial entities, products, services, or nongovernmental organizations or individuals are provided solely for information. These references are not intended to reflect the opinion of U.S. Department of the Interior (or bureau), the United States Government, or its officers or employees concerning the significance, priority, or importance to be given the referenced entity, product, service, or organization. Such references are not an official or personal endorsement of any product, person, or service and may not be quoted or reproduced for the purpose of stating or implying U.S. Department of the Interior (or bureau) endorsement or approval of any product, person, or service. Reporters or other media representatives are asked to send questions through their normal channels (the appropriate DOI/bureau office public affairs or communications office) and to refrain from submitting questions here as comments. Reporter questions may be removed. This Comment Policy is subject to amendment or modification at any time to ensure that its continued use is consistent with its intended purpose as a limited forum.

PARK ALERT: The South Cedar Creek Canoe Launch is currently not accessible due to ongoing work to remove the old bridge ...
04/21/2026

PARK ALERT: The South Cedar Creek Canoe Launch is currently not accessible due to ongoing work to remove the old bridge over Cedar Creek on the Kingsnake Trail and to prepare the site for the installation of the new bridge over the creek. At this time, visitors wishing to paddle on Cedar Creek can put their canoes or kayaks in at either of the following locations: Bannister Bridge Canoe Launch (located on Old Bluff Road) or at Dawson's Cabin (located 1850 South Cedar Creek Road). Those putting it at Dawson's Cabin can drop off their canoe or kayak near the water before parking in areas designated for vehicles.

An alternate canoe launch area at the South Cedar Creek Canoe Launch is being prepared and we will post updates once it is open and available for use.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission has issued a statewide Burning Ban effective at 7 AM today (4/17/2026) until furt...
04/17/2026

The South Carolina Forestry Commission has issued a statewide Burning Ban effective at 7 AM today (4/17/2026) until further notice due to increased wildfire risk.

While the burning ban is in effect, campfires at Longleaf and Bluff Campground will be prohibited. Camp stoves or contained cooking units are still permitted.

Beginning next week on Tuesday, April 21, contractors will begin working on improvements to the South Cedar Creek Canoe ...
04/16/2026

Beginning next week on Tuesday, April 21, contractors will begin working on improvements to the South Cedar Creek Canoe Launch. Work on this project includes removal and replacement of the old bridge, bank stabilization at the creek crossing, and the installation of a new, permanent canoe launch. Work is expected to take between 4-6 weeks to complete.

While construction is ongoing, access to Cedar Creek from the South Cedar Creek Canoe Launch will be limited. While putting in at South Cedar Creek may at times remain possible, please be aware that construction operations may make this difficult. Alternate points of access to Cedar Creek include the Bannister Bridge Canoe Launch or putting in at Dawson's Cabin, which is located just down the road from South Cedar Creek. Those putting in at Dawson's will be able to drive down the road to offload their boats, and when parking can either park to the side of the gate at the road or near the weather station. Vehicles must not block the road or the vehicles of other park visitors.

While the project is ongoing, the Kingsnake Trail will be a 12 mile out and back hike beginning and ending at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Hikers should plan accordingly, bringing plenty of water and carrying the 10 Essentials.

The results are in! The winner of the 2026 Moth Madness is the Luna Moth! The Giant Leopard moth put up a valiant effort...
04/09/2026

The results are in! The winner of the 2026 Moth Madness is the Luna Moth! The Giant Leopard moth put up a valiant effort, but in the end, the Luna moth came out on top. Thank you so much for all your votes for this year's Moth Madness. Are there any moths native to Congaree and South Carolina that you would like to see face off in 2027? Let us know in the comments below!

Allllllright folks... the time has officially come for YOU to vote on which winged wonder will be crowned the 2026 Conga...
04/08/2026

Allllllright folks... the time has officially come for YOU to vote on which winged wonder will be crowned the 2026 Congaree Moth Madness Champion!! We greatly appreciate your participation throughout the tournament, but now we are down to these two magnificent moths, and only one can be victorious! ๐Ÿ†

Cast your votes in the comments below for the Giant Leopard Moth or the Luna Moth until 9:59 am tomorrow and stay tuned to see who will wear our tiny Moth Madness crown ๐Ÿ‘‘ We have a feeling it's going to be the closest competition yet!!

Join us on Saturday, April 18 for a special performance by the University of South Carolina School of Music! The perform...
04/07/2026

Join us on Saturday, April 18 for a special performance by the University of South Carolina School of Music! The performance, which commemorates the 250th of the United States of America, will begin at 10 AM near the Harry Hampton Visitor Center.

Rise and shine everyone!   The 2026 Synchronous Firefly Viewing Event pass lottery is officially open!  The lottery is l...
04/07/2026

Rise and shine everyone!

The 2026 Synchronous Firefly Viewing Event pass lottery is officially open!

The lottery is live at https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/300008 and will remain open for those who would like to enter for a chance to get a vehicle pass for this year's firefly viewing event until 10:00 a.m. EST on April 14, 2026.

๐Ÿ’ณ All lottery applicants will be charged a $1 non-refundable service charge upon submitting their entry.

1๏ธโƒฃ Only one entry per household will be accepted.

๐Ÿ† Notifications of lottery application status will be announced on April 17, 2026. All applicants will be notified of whether they have or have not been selected to receive a vehicle pass.

๐Ÿ’ณ Those who have been awarded a pass on April 17 will be charged the remaining $24 event fee for a total of $25.

For more information on this year's event, scheduled for May 13-20, 2026, please visit our website at https://www.nps.gov/cong/fireflies.htm.

And then there were four! We are down to the Final Four of the 2026 Congaree Moth Madness after our eight competitors fr...
04/06/2026

And then there were four! We are down to the Final Four of the 2026 Congaree Moth Madness after our eight competitors from the second round went head-to-head over the weekend. Our Final Four matchups feature the following two contests:

- Giant Leopard Moth vs. Red-bordered Emerald Moth
- Rosy Maple Moth vs. Luna Moth

So who will go on to face off in the finals of the 2026 Congaree Moth Madness? That is entirely up to you to decide! You have until 3:59 p.m. tomorrow, April 7, to choose which two moths will go up against one another in our championship round to be crowned the Moth Madness Champion. For this round, you can choose one moth from each of the two matchups listed above, and the final two will be posted tomorrow afternoon.

The final matchup of the Congaree Moth Madness Elite 8 sees two of more heavyweights face off against each other. Both d...
04/05/2026

The final matchup of the Congaree Moth Madness Elite 8 sees two of more heavyweights face off against each other. Both decisively bested their competitors in the previous round, with the Cecropia Moth coming out on top with 41 votes to the 14 of the Blinded Sphinx Moth, and the iconic Luna Moth winning its contest with 65 votes to the 12 of the Tulip Tree Beauty Moth.

Two moths will enter the arena, but only one can move on the Final Four. Which one will it be? You decide! Make your selection of which moth you think is the most deserving to move on to the next round! You have until 1:59 p.m. tomorrow, April 6 to cast your vote in the comment section below.

Our third matchup for the 2026 Congaree Moth Madness Elite 8 round sees the Curved-tooth Geometer Moth take on the Red-b...
04/05/2026

Our third matchup for the 2026 Congaree Moth Madness Elite 8 round sees the Curved-tooth Geometer Moth take on the Red-bordered Emeral Moth. The contest between the Curved-tooth Geometer and its Sweet Sixteen opponent the Ailanthus Webworm Moth, though a little low on the vote totals, was an easy victory for the Curved-tooth Geometer, who came out on top with 38 votes to the 17 for the Ailanthus Webworm Moth. The competition between the Red-bordered Emerald Moth and the Pink-striped Oakworm Moth, on the other hand, was a bit tighter, with the Red-bordered Emerald coming out victorious with 36 votes to the 26 for the Pink-striped Oakworm.

Will this contest be another low scoring competition? That will be up to you! Make your selection of which moth you think is the most deserving to move on to the next round! You have until 9:59 a.m. tomorrow, April 6 to cast your vote in the comment section below.

The second Elite 8 matchup of Congaree Moth Madness features the two highest vote recipients of this year's contest: The...
04/04/2026

The second Elite 8 matchup of Congaree Moth Madness features the two highest vote recipients of this year's contest: The Tersa Sphinx Moth versus the Rosy Maple Moth. In its first-round matchup against the Agrippina Underwing Moth, the Tersa Sphinx achieved an overwhelming victory, receiving 80 votes to the 19 of the Agrippina Underwing. In the matchup between the Rosy Maple Moth and the Spiny Oakworm Moth, the Rosy Maple was won with a total of 65 votes to the 20 received by the Spiny Oakworm.

Will this be a close contest between two heavyweights, or will one blow the other out of the water? That will be up to you! Make your selection of which moth you think is the most deserving to move on to the next round! You have until 1:59 p.m. tomorrow, April 5 to cast your vote in the comment section below.

Our first matchup for the 2026 Congaree Moth Madness Elite 8 round sees the Giant Leopard Moth take on the Imperial Moth...
04/04/2026

Our first matchup for the 2026 Congaree Moth Madness Elite 8 round sees the Giant Leopard Moth take on the Imperial Moth. The contest between the Giant Leopard Moth and its Sweet Sixteen opponent was one of our closer ones, with the Giant Leopard coming out on top with 49 votes to the 38 for the Polyphemus Moth. It was a very lopsided victory for the Imperial Moth, who had 62 votes to the 21 for the Elm Sphinx Moth.

Will this contest be another close one, or will one win a decisive second round victory? That will be up to you! Make your selection of which moth you think is the most deserving to move on to the next round! You have until 9:59 a.m. tomorrow, April 5 to cast your vote in the comment section below.

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100 National Park Road
Hopkins, SC
29061

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