Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve
Trail Activities: t
- Hike
Length:
Type:
Surface:
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Features: t
- Parking
- Trail Head
- Information Sign
- Scenic Observation
- Pets
- No Fee
- No Camping
Summary:
The 627-acre preserve is loaded with history and hikers can enjoy a loop though the woods which is several miles long and goes by many of the ponds and historic features.
From the parking area, follow red and green trail markers on this winding, occasionally steep, and challenging loop trail through a dense wetland area. You will pass through mixed woods beneath dangling Spanish moss, make your way through tall, swampy grass, and balance atop dikes between murky backwaters. Benches at several points along the trail provide an opportunity to stop for a minute, and possibly observe wildlife including a variety of birds, alligators, large turtles, iridescent-indigo dragonflies, great blue heron, and snakes.
During wet weather the trail may be impassible in places. Insect repellent is recommended, especially in warm weather, as well as water and first-aid supplies. Although the trail is located near some of Columbia’s larger industries, the area is quite isolated.
No motorized vehicles or bicycles are allowed.
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Directions:From I-77 Exit 2 (Saxe Gotha Dr.) south of Columbia: Drive north on 12th Street Extension and turn right onto Godley Street. At the stop sign, turn right onto New State Road. At the fork, turn right onto Old State Road (S-32-66) and the parking area is 1.4 miles on the right.
1 Comment
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources | 1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201 | (803) 734-4080
Download | Coordinates | |
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Trail Segments (Paths) Trail Features (Points of Interest) |
Lat: 33.94609259932550 Long: -81.03824148818889 |
This is one of my favorite trails near Columbia. It is great for birding. Sometimes when I'm there I see a lot of frogs, or other times deer, and snakes. I've seen lots of Jack in the Pulpit in bloom there. I love the part that goes on the narrow spit of land between the 2 wetlands and you can often see an alligator sunning on the far bank. In places the ground has a lot of roots you have to cross so the terrain is uneven and sometimes it takes creativity to get through it when it has rained a lot - but I like the challenge of all that.