Congaree National Park: The Tallest Forest You've Never Heard Of

Congaree National Park is home to one of the tallest forests in the world. Yes, you read that correctly: Congaree National Park is home to one of the tallest forests in the world. The park is home to 15 species of tree that are the tallest of their species and is also home to the largest concentration of champion trees in North America. Congaree's big trees truly are a sight to behold. And it's all thanks to floods. The floodplain ecology at Congaree is the KEY ingredient that allows this forest to produce so many giants. Those floodplain dynamics are the subject of today's video, enjoy!
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Sources and Resources:
www.usgs.gov/geology-and-ecol....
www.usgs.gov/geology-and-ecol...
www.npca.org/articles/3714-co...
www.nps.gov/cong/learn/histor...
www.nps.gov/cong/learn/nature...
www.nationalparkstraveler.org...
npshistory.com/publications/co...
npshistory.com/publications/co...
www.piquenewsmagazine.com/tra...
www.nps.gov/cong/faqs.htm
www.americanforests.org/artic...
discoversouthcarolina.com/art...
www.oldgrowthforest.net/ogfn-...
www.nps.gov/rlc/ogbfrec/water...
Images and Music:
Storyblocks
KZbin Creator Music
NPS
Alexander Evans, 2011
Lamar University Archives and Special Collections

[@markmackela1246]

Many habitual NP visitors or even enthusiasts online love to deride Congaree. And it almost makes sense, if you're used to the 'grander' parks out west and show up to find 'just' a swamp. But this is a really beautiful exploration of why this park is so important, and a subtle rebuttal to any who might find it 'less than'. "If you ever come to Congaree and it's flooded, and you're disappointed that you're not going to see anything, just remember that, actually, you're seeing everything. ... When Congaree floods, you're seeing this park and its ecosystem as it's supposed to be." Excellently put. The quality of your content is increasing all the time, and I'm very glad to have followed from (almost) the very beginning. P.S. If you ever want to come to Michigan, my wife is a ranger in our State Park system, and the park where she currently works, Algonac, is home to one of the last large preserves of Lake-Plain Prairie in the Great Lakes basin, serving a similar function as Congaree, on a smaller scale. We'd be happy to show you around.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I find so much beauty in the more "subtle" parks. They just speak to me. Congaree is near and dear to my heart, being a native South Carolinian, and I was so glad to be able to finally tell this story (had to wait to go get some footage of the floods this past winter). It's one of those parks where knowing about the floodplain ecology beforehand VASTLY improves your experience once you get there. Thanks for watching and I might have to take you up on your offer one of these days 😉

[@dcerreta]

We went just after the synchronized firefly season, where fireflies blink in unison. Wish we had seen that but other than that it was well worth it. Just be aware that all that water means lots of mosquitoes so bring protection!

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I've had the pleasure of seeing the fireflies once. It was a spectacle to behold! They've started doing lotteries the last few years, making it pretty difficult to get in and see them, but I try every year hoping I can get back out there again

[@quefreemind5698]

I feel like I predicted this video in the last video lol. I did a kayak tour in Congaree. It felt like a fantasy world. Also ran into so much wildlife doing a hike. The history and scenery there feels like a fantasy planet. The 5 foot tall knees and crazy tall trees are insane.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Haha, yes, this video is definitely a continuation of my thinking in the last video. That's where my train of thought is currently lol. But yeah, fantasy world is a great way to describe it. I feel like that often when I'm out exploring the park too

[@MHarenArt]

Not sure how I didn't know this, but I'd never heard of Congaree. What a fabulous place. Thanks for bringing it to us!

[@NationalParkDiaries]

So glad I could help! Thanks for watching!

[@NatureShy]

As a Pacific Northwest-based person, this sounds pretty impressive to me. I love tall and giant trees. I’ve always considered this park to be one of the coolest and most deserving of park status in the country, and especially of those in the east. Tallest trees are certainly noteworthy.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I'm a fellow big tree person and having Congaree so close by is really wonderful. I visit all the time and just marvel every single time at how big the trees are, and especially at the ecological conditions that produced them. Such a great park!

[@Cobbmtngirl]

I’m also a PNW resident/big tree lover & feel the same. My absolute fav place is our redwood forests. Now I’ll put Congaree on my bucket list. Ty for the info. ❤ your channel.

[@NatureShy]

@@NationalParkDiaries That's awesome! I am also lucky to live beside lots of old growth here in the PNW. I love big trees so much, they're one of the coolest things. My favorite scenery will always be mountains and volcanoes and/or their associated glaciers, but big trees and old growth is right up there as a close second.

[@NatureShy]

@@Cobbmtngirl Thank you so much! And yeah, the Redwoods are amazing too.

[@blastedmcgraw152]

As someone who considers themself a National Park enthusiast, I hate the fact that I somehow didn’t know about this park the many, many times I was close by and didn’t visit. My dad lives about 2 hours away and I never knew of this park’s existence. I didn’t learn about it until after I moved out west, and now getting to South Carolina is much more difficult than it used to be. Sigh. Great video as always!

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I've missed a couple of parks myself on various trips, only to find out about them once I get back. At first I'm disappointed, but then I realize I now have an excuse to go back! I hope you're able to make it back here to Congaree one day. Thanks for watching!

[@brentnearhood8874]

Riggs Arboretum in Waterloo, Kansas is where I go to see tall trees in Kansas. Look it up. It is the oldest Arboretum West of the Mississippi. 🌳🌲

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Sounds super cool! I do love a good big tree trip 🌲🌲🌲

[@austinhaigler2379]

Great video. I grew up about 90 minutes away, in NC, though just off Highway 601. Congaree is my 'home park'. Me and my dad are going this weekend to do some tree hunting. He hasn't seen the champion Loblolly, so I'm looking forward to taking him there. You dropped this at the perfect time! Thanks for the great pieces you make. Your passion shines through, for sure.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Glad you liked it and enjoy your time in the park! Thanks for all the support!

[@Hodaggium]

There are four National Parks on my bucket list, this is one of them.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Glad to hear it - I don't think you'll be disappointed!

[@bryanCJC2105]

I love our national parks and I knew "of" Conagree NP but I didn't know anything about it. Until now. Thank you for such an impassioned, riveting, and informative interpretation of what makes this beautiful park a fascinating, unique, and special hidden gem.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

So glad I could help! I have a soft spot for Congaree and it's definitely one of those parks where your experience is greatly improved if you know about the ecology/floodplain dynamics before visiting. I find that is just kind of "unlocks" the park and you get a much greater appreciation for it. I hope you're able to make it for a visit soon!

[@VictorDeveze]

I'm thinking of doing a roadtrip of the Southern Parks, Congaree-Great Smoky-Mammoth Cave, with a stop at Dollywood and Nashville. It's starting to look like a great plan

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I don't think you can go wrong with that trip - all great parks!

[@gtbkts]

Thank you for all the amazing videos and epic content!!

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Thanks so much for watching!!

[@Nova_Avali]

I had no idea this place existed, its only like 3 hours from where i live, im definitely planning a trip there

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Glad to hear it! I don't think you'll be disappointed. I recommend a paddling trip if you can - it's a great way to see the park

[@benmcreynolds8581]

It's awesome when specific plants and ecosystems can thrive in periodic flooding. I saw a video that showed some habitats in Patagonia where Beavers got introduced and a bunch of the trees and habitats were dying because they couldn't handle water, flood plane habitats like this place can.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

For sure. These types of forests are a major habitat type in the Southeast, and at one point would have been much bigger. I'm grateful to a park like Congaree for showcasing this wonderful ecosystem 😊

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

We took a kayak tour there and it was epic (about 20yrs ago). The birding there is great too.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Great way to see the park!

[@carolinaoutdooradventures]

We could not have said it any better! You represented Congaree National Park in a fantastic manner!

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I'm happy to do it - Congaree is a fantastic park!

[@ryandevens9423]

Was there not 5 days ago! So crazy how it just sits right there next to Columbia

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I agree! It's preservation story is pretty interesting as well, in terms of how it got saved from logging. Will have to tell that one of these days too!

[@AnnHelvick]

We visited Congaree NP a year ago- it was partially flooded so we could walk about halfway on the boardwalk- besides the rich biodiversity- it has a lot of historical significance- bootleggers/moonshine production, runaway slaves hid in the park, etc- it is a fascinating place!

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Oh for sure! I didn't even get to talk about the rich history in the floodplain - that's a story for a different time! I hope you're able to make it back one day and explore a little deeper in the park. Thanks for watching!

[@forestmagic]

Thanks for shining light on this beautiful park!

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I'm happy to do it! One of my favorites. Thanks for watching!

[@alleycatinsc8032]

Perfect timing! As a fellow SC native, I am ashamed to say I've been to many national parks out west but never to Congaree. If all goes as planned, we'll be there for a half day visit in early June. I am excited about it. I love the Francis Biedler forest and have walked the boardwalk there several times, even at night. The nightwalk there is an amazing experience, I highly recommend.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

It's never too late! I never visited Congaree either until I was in my twenties! I don't think you'll be disappointed with your trip - but watch out for mosquitos that time of year lol

[@alleycatinsc8032]

@@NationalParkDiaries they tend not to bother me but they LOVE my partner. I have a video of us in Glacier with them swarming his head. They didn't even act like I was there. That said, the mosquitos in Wisconsin were all "what is this southern tasty treat served before us" LOL I hope to make Congaree before dawn. I wish to avoid the heat of the afternoon and to see critters on the move. We'll be prepared for the bloodsuckers, mwahaha! I did not visit my first NP until I was in my early 40s. I am 48 now and have been to the Badlands twice, RMNPx3, Glacier NP and Black Canyon of the Gunnison. I road amtrak from Portland, OR back to Clemson in 98. The train ride was an amazing experience but they don't want to stop everytime you see a place you wish to explore lol Finally made it back in 2019. I appreciate your channel and look forward to the next upload.

[@tommckinney1489]

Thanks for the video and correcting my thought that Congaree was a swamp. Now I know the real story.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Thanks for watching!

[@AbouttheJourney]

Wow, that's really cool. I had no idea the trees there were that big! I'll have to check it out the next time I'm in your neck of the woods. Great video, Cameron!

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Come on down, Mike! I'd be happy to show you around Congaree! Thanks for watching, as always!

[@fancyorange]

Thank you for making this video; this is great!

[@NationalParkDiaries]

So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@kellihillebrand8341]

Thanks so much for this! Heard of Congaree NP but didn’t know anything about it. This really is a great channel🤗

[@NationalParkDiaries]

So glad I could help share the wonders of Congaree - thanks for watching and supporting the channel!

[@ericpierce3660]

You're like my favorite professor. Your lectures are always interesting and I learn so much.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Glad I can help lol!

[@sashimiturtle]

Congaree is less than an hour from me. It is BEAUTIFUL in person. Videos and pictures do it justice.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Yeah, I find the scale of the trees really hard to capture on video/in pictures. The canopy is just so dense and so full of life that it can be hard to get a shot of the big trees like you would with the Sequoias or Redwoods. Definitely better in person!

[@sashimiturtle]

@@NationalParkDiaries Sparkleberry Swamp is also a very nice place to visit while in the area if you have a kayak or canoe. If its rained a lot then the kayak trail is too hard to paddle, the current gets really strong but there is some scenery in the swamp.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I'm not to far from there, but have somehow never heard of it. Will check it out, thanks for the recommendation!

[@planningpersonlaidbackdeep1273]

Thank you for sharing this place

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I'm happy to do it - thanks for watching!

[@brendanfitzgerald6236]

I was able to measure and certify the national champion yellow poplar in Virginia for an internship. Super cool that Congaree has so many champions

[@NationalParkDiaries]

That must have been such a cool experience!

[@Conus426]

A fascinating place... would love to see it myself one day

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I hope you're able to!

[@Captkman]

I have been there twice now. The first time I only had an hour and ran through the boardwalk behind the visitor center. The second time I took a few hours to do that boardwalk. I was very surprised at how enjoyable this national Park is. I have recently gotten back into canoeing and canoeing through this park is on my short list.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Very nice! Definitely recommend coming back to do some canoeing - best way to see the park in my opinion and you can get to some areas that are totally inaccessible on foot, especially if its flooded.

[@tec-jones5445]

This place looks straight out of the Cretaceous! Giant conifers like cypress and loblolly alongside massive temperate/subtropical hardwoods, and a biodiverse floodplain. I could mistake this place for Hell Creek! I definitely have to try to go someday. Thank you for this incredible view into this national park.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

It's funny you mention that - I always think the same thing when I'm out there! It always reminds me of either that, or a tropical rainforest, but either way it's crazy to have it in Central SC!

[@reypettis2407]

I am from South Carolina but there is a lot of information about the state that I did not learn about until I moved to the Pacific Northwest. I did read about Congaree NP went there on a trip back to SC. It is a magnificent place I’ll get back to next time I’m in the state.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I grew up here as well and never visited Congaree until I was in my twenties. It's a place I visit frequently now and try and spread the word about it as much as I can. I hope you make it back soon!

[@DavidSmith-jj7ll]

It really is an amazing place. I was really privileged as a kid to do some field trips through the park with Rudy Mancke, the late SCETV NatureScene host. And yeah, a canoe trip through the park at flood stage is an incredible way to see it.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

You were lucky indeed to head out there with Rudy Mancke!

[@margaretsparksrittenhouse8787]

I am currently siting in Yellowstone, I am now planning to visit Congaree next time I’m out there. Looks like I should not forget my Deet. I had no idea about this park, thank you. 🌳

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I'm glad to hear it, it's a wonderful park! Mosquito season is definitely ramping up here right now, but it's generally okay during the shoulder months and off season. Paddling is the best way to see the park no matter the time of year though - mosquitos aren't generally a problem over the creeks!

[@Grand_History]

I skipped out on this park for my east coast road trip because it was the only place not on the coast on my list. I’ll have to make a forest themed road-trip next

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Would definitely recommend a stop! It's totally different than most of the SE coast, but well worth seeing in its own right!

[@Grand_History]

@@NationalParkDiaries I did a trip from Cape Henlopen to the Everglades, and watching the coastal ecosystems shift from park to park as I went south improved my perspective on coastal environments. I recommend that as well

[@DavidSmith-jj7ll]

@@Grand_History That sounds like a great trip. A good plan for a trip that picks up Congaree might be a transit from the coast, over the Appalachians to the continental interior. maybe starting at Edisto Beach State Park (good place to look for fossils that wash up on the beach after a storm), then Congaree, up through the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway to Great Smokies, and maybe over to Mammoth Cave. It would traverse the full continental margin from the coastal plain through the Piedmont and Blue Ridge province and into the Alleghenies. A good piedmont stop might be 40 Acre Rock. There's also a good bit of Revolutionary War history options along the way as well, if you do that sort of thing.

[@goofyiest]

Awesome!!!!

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Agreed!

[@grantdickerson6103]

ive been watchin ur vids for awhile u make the best vids bro i feel like im learnin these parks with u i didnt even know this park but now i gotta go

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Haha, glad I could help! Thanks for learning right alongside me!

[@meganstahlberger608]

Thank you!

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Thanks for watching!

[@anthonyterlizzi2405]

Never heard of it, cool! Maybe I'll remember to check it out if I ever go to SC

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I hope you're able to make it! It's definitely an awesome park and I recommend it to everyone - especially doing a paddle through the park. I think it's the best way to see it!

[@stevelong9328]

I think I will stop and take a closer look next time I see the Congaree signs.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I hope you do! It's a really special park and well worth seeing, especially if you know the backstory on the park's ecology and floodplain dynamics - which you do, now that you've seen the video 😉

[@JustJen1386]

Beautiful 😻

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I agree!

[@noahgreer1497]

Hello from South Carolina!

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Hello!

[@aliannarodriguez1581]

Oh wow, thank you for bringing this to my attention! What an amazing place. It’s worrisome that it’s health is entirely dependent on what is happening upstream though. SC is not known for being proactive on environmental matters and it seems like a lot of people moving there.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Water quality and upstream effects are definitely a concern for the park. Congaree is like this little biological island, surrounded on all sides by agriculture and urban development, and the effects from that certainly pose a threat. However, Congaree still boast some of the cleanest waters in the state - not exactly a high bar, but still an impressive example of the quality of resource this park protects!

[@brightmooninthenight2111]

Oh man this is awesome. Im from south Georgia and theres a lot of bottomland flood forests and swamps around here, but due to the combined forces of deforestation and fires (some wild and some not) theres very few oldgrowth left. Congaree looks almost exactly like the coolest bottomland forests around here except with steroids I love these ecosystems and im going to North Carolina soon and ill make it a point to stop here along the way if i can.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I was just in Macon checking out Ocmulgee Mounds NHP and stopped by the Bond Swamp NWR to check out those bottomlands. Didn't get to paddle around, unfortunately, but was still cool to see. Definitely recommend stopping by Congaree if you get a chance!

[@sunnygirlishappy]

Another very informative video. Maybe you should approach the CBS Morning show about a spot to inform their audience of the great National Park system we have. They have a guy that explains the true meaning of words, and his children help,and I love every one of them. I think people would appreciate knowing the informative information in your talks and would tune in for more. ❤❤❤

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Maybe one day!! I wouldn't say no!

[@roncarguy72]

You should have lead with what state this was in Sir. Love the channel.

[@WiseSnake]

I've aided in botanical surveys in multiple bottomland remnants here in eastern Arkansas. Incredibly beautiful places to be in and study. There are some seriously massive trees in these remnants, too. You can tell when you've entered an area that hasn't been logged. There is a price to pay when you enter these places, however, and that's a blood toll to the very healthy mosquito populations within them. lol But, I suppose that can be a blessing because most potential tourists/visitors will find these places scary or miserable or both. So they end up being spared from overtourism.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Very nice! Yeah, Congaree is pretty consistently ranked as one of the least visited NPs. Although, visitation is rising and set a record last year, so I think more and more people are finding out about its wonders!

[@ethanhennessey4631]

I went to college at USC and am actually in the process of moving out of Columbia so I am going to miss exploring congaree. I went exploring in congaree all the time (mostly on foot). I always wanted to do a kayak camping trip from cedar creek to 601 or all the way from downtown Columbia. I could never figure out how I would get back since nobody wanted to go with me. You need 2 cars for that sort of thing. I did a few longer trips in the city and got an Uber to get back to my car 🤣

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I've been thinking about doing the same thing, actually. I lead canoe trips in the park, so I've been itching to go and do some canoe camping!

[@DanVierck-lx7gn]

Excellent science based video. For your info, one minor but likely error-- a tree over 100 feet tall would likely have a DIAMETER of 15 feet, not circumference.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Nope, it's circumference: www.nps.gov/cong/faqs.htm Thanks for watching though.

[@tomrobertson3236]

Doug fir , cedar and hemlock grow to 120 to 150

[@ohnoohyeah3205]

I, too, end on a whisper 😅

[@rikspector]

The NIle is the source of food by flooding for many generations, but South Carolinas low country has the wonderful park that benefits the same way. Another great place,but when are we going to log it:( Cheers, Rik Spector A.K.A Curmudgeon Rik

[@NationalParkDiaries]

Thankfully Congaree was actually saved from logging! It was actually the driving effort behind it's preservation as a National Park! That's a really fascinating story in its own right - I'll have to tell it one of these days.

[@aliannarodriguez1581]

It seems like a canoe might be the best way to visit the park, at least during flood season. Is that feasible? And are there alligators? I don’t share the water with alligators. 😊

[@NationalParkDiaries]

A canoe is the best way to visit the park, no matter the time of year imo. You can get way more places during flood season, of course, but there are multiple landings on Cedar Creek which are accessible throughout the year. Mosquitos don't really bother you once you're over the water as well, so paddling actually becomes a really great option for seeing the park during the summer. The park does have alligators, but I've never seen them on Cedar Creek where I typically paddle. I've only ever seen them on Weston Lake (off the boardwalk), and I hear they can be spotted on the sandbars out in the Congaree River itself.

[@kamm6001]

this makes me wonder just how tall forests used to be in the US, before colonization and intense logging

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I think about this often as well. Not just in terms of height, but in coverage. There's a famous saying (I forget who it's attributed to) that said at one point, a squirrel would have been able to travel from Maine to Texas without ever needing to touch the ground...

[@ethanhennessey4631]

1/4 of the trees in the eastern US used to be enormous chestnut trees. Now there are none left

[@DarkfireTD]

first!

[@gilliansl]

It also used to be the home of the Congaree Indigenous nation before the European colonizers. But by the late 1600s, there were only 270 tribes people remaining. One of them. Jane Gibson the Elder (there is a webpage about her and her progeny, some of whom were illegally enslaved. (They are some of my ancestors.) An unprecedented law suit was filed for their release and change of status, as Jane was employed on a local plantation, and was born a free indigenous woman. Unenslavement was granted by the courts.

[@ToyInsanity]

Better than Cuyahoga NP

[@jordanhamann9123]

Can you......try cooling it with......the "video essay voice"...? It starts to sound....incredibly....disingenuous after....awhile. But I like your content.

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I don't know man, this is the second time you've commented this. This is just how I speak. If it comes off as disingenuous to you, I don't really know what to tell you.... but you don't have to watch.

[@jordanhamann9123]

@@NationalParkDiaries Then I apologize. I've encountered so many content creators who put on a specific voice in order to make what they're saying sound, I dunno, deep? Thought provoking? When it's really quite surface-level that I guess I've gotten a bit cynical about it. I'm sorry to falsely accuse, I won't bring it up again. Like I said, I subscribe because I enjoy your content.

[@ryanchasefarmer]

Dude I love your stuff. But why do you trail off every other sentence? Like you whisper the last word of your sentence. It makes it hard to listen to you when I'm working around loud machinery, or puts me to sleep when I'm driving. You make great content, I just want to be able to hear you, my guy.

[@aff77141]

It's called presentation and having a good speaking voice without shouting bro, listen to it before bed or something? Also, maybe get your hearing checked, like legitimately, because he's not that quiet

[@owenpeller6471]

poor presentation

[@arduous1914]

Poor judgement

[@anthonyterlizzi2405]

Never heard of it, cool! Maybe I'll remember to check it out if I ever go to SC

[@NationalParkDiaries]

I hope you're able to make it - I don't think you'll regret the trip!