Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Senior Member jb_outdoors's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Asheville, NC
    Hammock
    Warbonnet Eldorado
    Tarp
    Warbonnet Minifly
    Insulation
    JRB + EETQ
    Suspension
    Beckett Hitch
    Posts
    104

    Overnight in Congaree National Park

    I did a little bit of travelling for the holiday last week and stayed at Congaree National Park for a night. I've visited this park a half dozen times or so before, and I believe it's sadly underrated. The park is located around an hour southeast of Columbia, SC. Though it's a small park by most standards, there's plenty of interesting stuff to see and do here.

    The park has two developed campgrounds. Longleaf Campground is a small loop with a gravel parking lot and two pit toilets close to the entrance to the park. There are 6 or 7 primitive tent sites and two large group sites, all situated around a small pond. Sites here go from $10-$20 per night depending on the season, but I've never paid more than $10. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring and is suitable for hammocks or tents.
    46508245_10160697218370538_1570128859599208448_n_10160697218365538.jpg

    Bluff Campground is a 1 mile hike from either Longleaf Campground or the Visitor's Center. I truly prefer this campground because the sites are spread out much further apart and there are usually less people staying here. It doesn't hurt that these sites are only $5 per night!
    20190609_162510.jpg

    The third option is to get a free backcountry camping permit. I've never done this because, well, I live in Florida and already spend more time in swamps than I'd like, but there are some videos on The Tube of other folks who have done this if you're interested. Another challenge is that at many times during the year the river floods and most of the park ends up under several inches of water. The two developed campgrounds are up high enough that I've never heard of them being flooded.
    20190624_182231.jpg

    There are several miles of trails in the park that may or may not be accessible depending on the level of the river. There is an elevated boardwalk loop that remains accessible during some flood periods, but I've known even this to be inundated on occasion. I spent several hours at an overlook at an oxbow lake watching all manner of flying, crawling, swimming, and creeping critters.
    20190624_162407.jpg

    I didn't bring my usual slew of gear since this was just a brief overnight stop, but this was my first time with the hammock here so I was excited to see how much more comfortable it was over sleeping in the mud in my tent. Boy howdy was it ever! The forecast called for overnight lows in the 40s and while I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina I've lived in Florida for five years now and can't ever tell how the cold will work on me, so I brought a 20 degree Kelty bag and an inflatable pad for insulation. I'm not like some of y'all fancy folks with a closet full of quilts, and I figured this would be enough. As it turns out the inflatable pad was worse than useless. I woke up three or four times with it curled around and/or on top of me. I was lucky there was no wind, and between a couple layers of clothes and the sleeping bag I was plenty warm. I have never actually managed to get any decent sleep in these woods in a tent. The hammock was a game changer. I was woken up around 6 by someone doing some semi-automatic hunting a couple miles away, but did not actually stir from my cocoon until well past 7. This is only my second trip using a hammock but I'm hooked.
    PXL_20201125_115823787.jpg

    If y'all are ever near Columbia and want to duck into the woods for a couple-three days, I highly recommend this park. Don't forget to bring some Cheerwine!
    PXL_20201124_220732684.jpg

  2. #2
    TallPaul's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Hammock
    WBXLC, WBBB, LiteOwl
    Tarp
    Superfly, MambaJam
    Insulation
    HG Phoenix, WL Sum
    Suspension
    Webbing, Whoopies
    Posts
    4,076
    Images
    13
    Nice report. I live in Charlotte & keep meaning to get down there. This winter is going to finally be the time!

  3. #3
    Senior Member jb_outdoors's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Asheville, NC
    Hammock
    Warbonnet Eldorado
    Tarp
    Warbonnet Minifly
    Insulation
    JRB + EETQ
    Suspension
    Beckett Hitch
    Posts
    104
    Thanks, Paul Winter is a great time to go in my opinion. The woods there are so thick that there's hardly ever a breath of air. This makes it a pretty miserable place in the summertime (along with the horseflies, gnats, and mosquitoes as big as house flies) but makes it perfect for cold weather camping!

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    NC
    Hammock
    Simply Light Designs Trail Lair
    Tarp
    SLD Trail Haven
    Insulation
    EE / UGQ / SLD
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    210
    Great & informative report, thanks for sharing! Will have to add Congaree to the list to check out.

    Once you go hammock you don't go back! If hammocking is something you plan on continuing to do an underquilt will be a much more comfortable alternative to your pad problems.

  5. #5
    New Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Hammock
    WBBB XLC, Dream Hammock Darien
    Tarp
    WB Superfly
    Insulation
    WB TQ/UQ
    Suspension
    Becket Hitch
    Posts
    13
    Great report. I've actually day hiked the park and remember checking out Bluff campground and thinking it would make for some good hammocking. Great reminder to check it out again during an actual overnighter.

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    NC
    Hammock
    Simply Light Designs Trail Lair
    Tarp
    SLD Trail Haven
    Insulation
    EE / UGQ / SLD
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    210
    Made it out to Congaree for 2 nights over the holidays, thanks for the information & inspiration!

  • + New Posts
  • Similar Threads

    1. Congaree National Park Visit
      By outdoorsguy in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 05-26-2019, 19:05
    2. Congaree National Park?
      By Paulie in forum Southeast
      Replies: 13
      Last Post: 12-14-2012, 21:59
    3. Congaree Swamp National Park 12-26-2011
      By swampfox in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 11
      Last Post: 01-04-2012, 06:46
    4. My First Hang [Congaree National Park]
      By Pawfoot in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 17
      Last Post: 11-23-2009, 19:38
    5. Congaree National Park, Oct 9
      By trigger hurt in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 102
      Last Post: 10-11-2009, 23:01

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •