National Park Service Congaree National Park U.S. Department of the Interior Summer 2012 Boardwalk Talk COURTESY / JOHN PAUL Superintendent’s Message Welcome to Congaree National Park. This edition of the Board- Intense daytime temperatures and high relative humidity often walk Talk will help you get the most out of your summertime provide the environment in which spectacular summer storms visit to the park. See inside for program schedules, articles on may be experienced. These storms frequently pop up in the Leave No Trace principles, and animal adaptations. We hope late afternoon and can include high winds and drenching rains, you fi nd the information useful to you as you enjoy the park. often disappearing as quickly as they appear. The spectacle of We invite you to take the paper home with you to share with a summer storm is a sight to behold, but remember to check others when you head to your next destination, but if you the weather forecast at the front desk before hitting the trails or choose to leave it behind, we’d be happy to re-use or recycle it roads and plan accordingly so you aren’t caught off -guard! for you! We appreciate you making Congaree National Park a destina- With the comfortable mornings and warm evenings of a south- tion during your busy summer and as always we appreciate ern summer, there can also be high heat and humidity through- any feedback you’d like to provide on how we can improve the Tracy Swartout, Park Superintendent out the day. Be sure everyone in your group (even pets) has park experience for visitors in the future. access to enough water. A fountain is available 24 hours a day in the breezeway at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. If you are Happy Trails, camping, visitor center staff can also provide you with access to potable water for fi lling larger containers to take back to your Join Congaree Online campsite. www.facebook.com/CongareeNP Save the Date for Tracy Swartout Campfi re Chronicles @CongareeNPS Lauren Gurniewicz, Chief of Interpretation www.fl ickr.com/photos/congareenps Each fall, Congaree National Park staff between people and the land that is now and volunteers gather together to Congaree National Park in a series of celebrate the park’s rich cultural history scenes set along the boardwalk. The walk by sharing the stories of the people who ends with s’mores and a campfi re with came to Congaree in the past. park staff . Canoe Tour During this free family friendly event, Join us November 2-3, 2012 for the 4th Reservations park rangers will guide visitors along a Annual Congaree Campfi re Chronicles. Reservations for canoe tours in one-mile trek into the forest and through Guided tours will take place the 4th quarter of 2012 (Oct. 1- Dec. 31) centuries of history to see costumed November 2 from 6:00-8:00 pm and No- open September 15. Call 803-776-4396 interpreters portray the relationship vember 3, 2:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm. to make a reservation. See pages four and fi ve for information. EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA YOUR EXPERIENCE ™ Emergencies To: To: Call 911 or contact a park ranger. Be aware that cell phone service is patchy throughout the park. Hopkins, SC 29061 SC Hopkins, 100 National Park Road Park National 100 k Par l Nationa Congaree National Park Service Things To Do U.S. Department of the Interior CAMPING Boardwalk to access waterways if you are Congaree National Park There are two developed primitive carrying fi shing gear. Anglers may campgrounds in the park. The Longleaf obtain a complete list of fi shing regula- Campground has fi re rings, portable tions from the Harry Hampton Visitor The Boardwalk Talk is a publication of the toilets, and picnic tables. Eight sites are Center or online at www.nps.gov/cong. National Park Service for the orientation available on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served and education of visitors to Congaree basis. Each site is limited to eight camp- National Park. WALKS AND TALKS ers. The Bluff Campground has no toilet Rangers provide a variety of guided The National Park Service was established facilities but provides picnic tables and walks, talks, campfi re programs, and on August 25, 1916, “to conserve the fi re rings and is ideal for groups of up canoe tours. For a complete list of ranger scenery and the natural and historic to thirty individuals. Camping is also guided interpretive programs, see pages objects and the wild life therein and to permitted by hiking or canoeing into four and fi ve. Listen and learn as rangers provide for the enjoyment of the same in the backcountry. To minimize human give talks on various topics or take you such manner and by such means as will impact in this designated Wilderness on a hike through the old-growth forest. leave them unimpaired for future genera- Area, campfi res are prohibited in the tions.” In 1976, Congaree became part backcountry. of the National Park Service as Congaree BIRDING Swamp National Monument to preserve Paddling the Congaree River Blue Trail Congaree National Park is designated the largest remaining tract of old-growth All campers are required to obtain a free as a Globally Important Bird Area by bottomland hardwood forest in the camping permit and a list of regulations otters, turtles, snakes, and raccoons. the American Bird Conservancy. Many United States. It was re-designated as at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center In addition to adventures on Cedar migratory birds can be found during the Congaree National Park in 2003. prior to camping. Creek, opportunities are also available spring and fall migrations. Bring binocu- on the Congaree and Wateree River Blue lars and ask rangers for a list of docu- Superintendent CANOEING/KAYAKING Trails. Please check with rangers for mented species within the park. Tracy Swartout Traveling by canoe or kayak is a great maps and current conditions. Chief of Interpretation way to enjoy this primeval Wilderness PICKNICKING Lauren Gurniewicz while fl oating past some of the tallest FISHING A picnic shelter with trash and recycling trees in eastern North America. Paddling All waterways except Weston Lake are receptacles and grills is available on a Editor is also a thrilling way to encounter the di- open to fi shing with a valid South Caro- fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis near the Corinne Fenner verse wildlife of the park including deer, lina fi shing license. Please do not use the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Mailing Address Congaree National Park Safety First 100 National Park Road Jared Gurtler, Law Enforcement Park Ranger Hopkins, SC 29061 What should you do if a thunderstorm- while being aware of water levels that BEWARE OF DEAD TREES Phone storm hits while you are in the park? may rise quickly. Also avoid open fi elds Since dead trees are more likely to fall 803-776-4396 This is an excellent question and one or trails, and areas near tall isolated trees. than living trees, avoid areas with dead Website that both visitors and rangers can learn Lightning has the tendency to strike ob- trees. Look for and stay away from dead www.nps.gov/cong from. The best way to safely hike, camp jects that are closest to the cloud where or injured trees that have no foliage, are or paddle in Congaree National Park is it developed. Even if there is no audible missing bark or show signs of rotting. Email to properly plan your trip. This includes thunder or visible fl ashes of light, you [email protected] packing appropriate gear, knowing how will reduce the chances of getting struck RESUME ACTIVITY ONLY WHEN CONDI- Operating Hours long your visit will take, and checking by lightning by taking the following pre- TIONS ARE SAFE Congaree National Park is open 24 hours weather conditions. However, as they cautions: 1.)Stay away from tall, isolated A thunderstorm may last anywhere from a day, 7 days a week. The Harry Hamp- say, “even the best laid plans of mice and trees. Instead look for a dense, low grow- 30 minutes to two hours. Even when the ton Visitor Center hours vary by season. men go astray.” No matter how well you ing group of trees or shrubs to stay un- storm appears to have subsided, light- Please call before visiting. The visitor cen- plan your trips, you should always expect der. 2.) If hiking or camping near a ridge ning may still linger. If possible, avoid ter is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas the unexpected. This is especially true (higher elevation), look for a lower area open fi elds or trails, and areas near tall, Day, and New Year’s Day. when hiking, camping, or paddling in the to stay during the storm. 3.) Make your- isolated trees while retreating to safety or resuming camping, hiking, or paddling Fees fl oodplain. Afternoon thunderstorms are self small by squatting on the ground Admission and all programs are free. common throughout summer at Conga- with your knees to your chest. Keep your activities. ree National Park. head tucked in with your hands protect- Climate ing your ears. Winter: low 30s to high 60s Following a few basic tips if caught in Spring: low 50s to high 80s a thunderstorm will help you stay safe. GET OFF THE WATER Summer: low 60s to high 90s (& humid) While these tips do not cover every sce- If you are canoeing or kayaking, make Firearms in the Park Fall: low 50s to high 80s nario, they do provide a starting point for your way to land and retreat inland, the basic course of action when caught moving away from the edge of the water.