WHO KNEW THERE WAS A NATIONAL PARK IN SC?? Congaree National Park Hike or Paddle?

Congaree National Park, one of the least visited and sometimes falsely least rated national parks, is just a three hour drive from our home in the mountains of NC. So we loaded up the Winnebago Revel for a trip to “check off another national park”. From the reviews we did not know what to expect. But what we found was those who give the park a negative review must not like old and tall trees… they must not like well maintained trails… they must not like saving money on admission… they must not like water and swamps… they must not love wildlife… and they must love crowds. We found Congaree National Park to be the perfect park for us. There were less than 100 folks in the park… compare that to the 100,000 visitors per day some overcrowded parks get and well, you can see it was a much more enjoyable and less stressful visit.
It turns out there are two ways to see the park. You can hike on one of her more than 35 miles of trails or you can paddle down one of her black water creeks. Since we could not decide we chose to do both and it’s truly difficult to say which we loved more.
Congaree National Park’s Website: www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm
We selected JK Adventure Guides for our guided kayak tour of Congaree National Park. Their website is: jkadventureguides.com/home
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
LINKS TO ITEMS FROM THIS VIDEO:
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Hiking At Congaree National Park 0:00
Congaree Guided Kayak Tour 07:23
Should You Visit Congaree National Park 14:44
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
LINKS TO THINGS WE USE:
Items You See Us Use In Episodes:
🔥 Solo Stove: solostove.com/?rfsn=5554373.7...
🚴 RAD eBikes ($50 off coupon): rwrd.io/y71bizy?s
🏪 Our Amazon Store:
✴️ Master List On Amazon: amazon.com/shop/VanTrekkingLi...
📸 Camera Gear:
✴️ Insta360 One X Camera: www.amazon.com/dp/B08M3B9754?...
✴️ DJI Osmo Action - 4K Action Cam:www.amazon.com/dp/B07RJMK2GV?...
✴️ VLOG Camera (Sony ZV-1): www.amazon.com/dp/B08965JV8D?...
Other Items Folks Ask About:
✴️ Pop-up Room: www.amazon.com/dp/B07F2S5YCD?...
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
#vanlife #winnebagorevel
* Many of the links included are affiliate links, meaning we will make a small commission from these sellers should you choose to purchase with our link
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Chapter/Segments:
00:00 Intro
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
LINKS TO ITEMS FROM THIS VIDEO:
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
LINKS TO THINGS WE USE:
Items You See Us Use In Episodes:
🔥 Solo Stove: solostove.com/?rfsn=5554373.7...
🚴 RAD eBikes ($50 off coupon): rwrd.io/y71bizy?s
🏪 Our Amazon Store:
✴️ Master List On Amazon: amazon.com/shop/VanTrekkingLi...
📸 Camera Gear:
✴️ Insta360 One X Camera: www.amazon.com/dp/B08M3B9754?...
✴️ DJI Osmo Action - 4K Action Cam:www.amazon.com/dp/B07RJMK2GV?...
✴️ VLOG Camera (Sony ZV-1): www.amazon.com/dp/B08965JV8D?...
Other Items Folks Ask About:
✴️ Pop-up Room: www.amazon.com/dp/B07F2S5YCD?...
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
#vanlife #winnebagorevel
* Many of the links included are affiliate links, meaning we will make a small commission from these sellers should you choose to purchase with our link 10-16-21a

[@alansomewhere]

Hi. I'm your Kayak guide, Alan. It was an absolute pleasure to show you around our little hidden Creek. I loved meeting you guys, and Maggie. She was suited to this perfectly. Great video, and you really captured what we do our here well. Safe travels!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks Alan for commenting. You were a great guide and made the kayak trip a very special part of our trip. We appreciate the ability to bring Maggie along as most places do not allow dogs. Thanks again for a wonderful trip on the water.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Did you know SC has a national park??? No? We learned that most do not either. We knew Congaree was here but had never been to experience it firsthand. If you read some of the reviews of this park you’ll wonder if it’s worth the $$… and it’s free. We wanted to set the record straight and let you know that while it’s as grand as the Grand Canyon it is a national park for a reason. This week we share the “experience” with you. Later we’ll share the behind the scenes. Thanks for riding along with us. Many of you have asked about the “water” song. It’s called Come To The Water by Go For Howell feat. Steven Ellis (link:open.spotify.com/album/6VF9hvFKG7GuACJEV9IU9G)

[@larryvincent2098]

Thank you for this relaxing video with the sound of nature, and the beautiful scenery. BS & BK

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

You are so welcome and thank you for watching and commenting.

[@lustraveller717]

So peaceful and serene. I loved hearing the sounds of the wildlife. Thanks for bringing us along. Stay safe!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We appreciate you following along. Have a great week.

[@herdfan697278]

Nothing beats the slow glide of a kayak through quiet waters beneath us and we gaze at God’s glory around us! Thanks!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

I couldn’t agree more, the water is such a soothing place for us. thanks so much for your comment.

[@galpalsal]

What an interesting and beautiful video! I'll bet Lynn was in "tree heaven". Perfect music, as usual. Great job, Owen!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

I was in tree heaven for sure. It was a beautiful place.

[@Crrichmond2]

I love the music, Would love to have the song that played, "Come to the water" This is a beautiful song. Thank you both for all the time you put into making these videos. You inspire us so much to get out and enjoy life to the fullest. Stay safe and God bless.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thank you so much for your kind comment, it is greatly appreciated.

[@joycemoses2411]

Welcome to our State!!! Thank you for the very peaceful video! Maggie looked so cute on the kayak! Awesome seeing the Pileated Woodpecker!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

There is so much we love about your state. We were pretty excited about seeing the woodpecker. I really wanted to see some owls.

[@sandras1524]

Thanks for reminding me of what's in my back yard. We live in West Columbia and have only been here once. We'll be sure to go again and enjoy a kayak trip next time. In the meantime, we roamed around Arkansas this summer and have slowly crept our way back thru lower Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Swamps are amazing. Stay safe.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Sounds like you had a great trip, there’s nothing like a good long trip. We definitely recommend the Kayak trip, it was lovely.

[@pattyk8594]

I love seeing Maggie on that kayak! Thank you for sharing another great video :o)

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Maggie is so good and calm on the kayak, we love how she just takes everything in. Thanks so much for watching.

[@JeffPattiAkaElliptiVANgo]

Maggie is so cool! Thanks for showing us the “by water” touring option. Jeff just said “they could be parked right next to us!” We at Huntington Beach State Park and the beach & ocean are fantastic! Come in over!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We absolutely love Huntington Beach… I hope you have a wonderful time there.

[@susanbrown1398]

Thank you so much for this video! We visited this park today and had a wonderful time. The campground was full this weekend, so we are camping at a nearby state park (Santee) and it’s really nice also. The kayaking in the Congaree National Park was so much fun! We then walked the boardwalk trail and just had a fun filled day at this NP we had no idea was here before your video. We live in Knoxville, so we visit the Smokies often, but they are soooo busy this time of the year. This was so nice to get away from the crowds. Thanks again!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

So glad to hear you enjoyed Congaree NP. We are in the Smokie this weekend and it is crazy crowed.

[@marciagainey5155]

Good post! Nice to see you out and about especially while the weather is still so agreeable. Cinderfella and I drove out to Ft.Pickens and the Gulf Islands National Seashore. How fortunate we are in our country to have these national treasures for all of us to enjoy if we just take the time to get there. For us, it is just a 30-45 minute drive until we’re digging our toes in the sand for a salt water and sand pedicure! I took lots of pictures of shore birds and was looking for signs of fall. The large patches of yellow flowers (don’t ask me what they’re called) were in abundance. Butterflies danced among the plants and near the brick remnants of Ft.Pickens. The seasons are changing and if you take a moment to look, you can see the signs. We walked out on a boardwalk we’ve never used before and almost walked over a tiny snake with its head reared up staring at us. I snapped some pictures and he slithered away into the sand dunes. We didn’t figure out if he was a poisonous kind or just a friendly beach snake. Maybe I’ll enlarge my pictures to see what he was. There ARE rattlesnakes out there but we don’t think he was that. Our final sight as we were driving out was a large osprey sitting on a nearby post, chowing down on his freshly caught lunch. He posed nicely for me while I grabbed some nice pictures of him enjoying his fish. It was a lovely afternoon outing and all it cost was a little gas and a few hours of time. I think you’d agree that while we are able, have reasonably good health, we need to get out and see our world and all of its many wonders! Happy tails to y’all! Keep bringing us the good news of your travels and adventures near and far!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

What a wonderful post of what sounds like a beautiful afternoon. It’s good to hear that people enjoy the beauty this world has to offer as much as we do, as like you said if you just look around and you didn’t have to drive that far 😀. Thanks so much for sharing it makes my heart happy.

[@ftkinsella]

Maggie sure does make us smile, as you both do as well. Cheers!!!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Maggie makes us smile every single day and we love that about her. Cheers to you my friend.

[@keithmowery4070]

We have just found your videos and we love you both love your music would love to watch a video with you playing and singing

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

With all our traveling Owen doesn’t play a lot anymore, but I’ve been trying to get him to sing and play around the campfire. Thanks for your suggestion.

[@johnmurray9660]

What a beautiful and what looks like a couple very enjoyable and relaxing days. Thank you so much for sharing your time!😎

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

It was both relaxing and beautiful… it was our kind of trip. Thanks for watching.

[@janetfolkerts5827]

You have a way to take the present back into the past for a greater appreciation. Thank you for the walk thru, and who wouldn't have the urge to hug a tree like that ? "LessJunk,More Journey" did a video on the fireflies, that would be another great 'natural' experience. Thank you for sharing.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Those are really kind words. Thank you!

[@michaelbecnel63]

The cypress swamp and bayou reminds me of home in South Louisiana.....great video. Happy Trails

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks, we appreciate you watching.

[@sherriweber7105]

This video was nice and so peaceful. It was seeing you hiking in the woods and hugging a tree and it was quiet except for a few notices but wasn’t bad. Owen you Lynn and Maggie looked so peaceful on the water. And the song was beautiful it for you all being out in the water. Maggie looked cute laying down on the boat. She’s cute anyway. Thank you for the video and have a great night and week and see you soon!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thank you Sherri for following along on our little adventure. We appreciate your comment, it means a lot.

[@NatureAndOther]

Wow such amazing reflections! Wonderful video again

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thank you, we appreciate you watching.

[@Carolann_237]

We visited Congaree last year and did the boardwalk hike. Next time we may try kayaking, it looks like a peaceful trip.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

It was a very peaceful trip and well worth the cost.

[@gracegarden1]

Love your opening song! ;) Super episode! Peace & Prayers.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thanks, we appreciate you watching.

[@richardcoyle2635]

Great video. Skitters.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

No skitters this time, thank goodness.

[@scampslikeusva1958]

Love the video, thanks for sharing! I always love finding new places to go, I've subscribed to your channel because you're giving me great ideas!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Had to do a little searching and found your channel. What a fun trip to the keys you guys had. Thanks for being with us. Can’t wait to see your next trip. Owen, Lynn and Maggie

[@scampslikeusva1958]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Congaree is a trip that I definitely want to take this year! That and Cuyahoga are 2 national parks that I think are very doable in a longish weekend trip from our location! Do you guys have any good trips planned this year?

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

@@scampslikeusva1958 tempted with a trip to Newfoundland and Ontario. Still deciding and planning.

[@scampslikeusva1958]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle That's funny, we just decided last weekend that we'd be heading up to Montreal and Quebec City for our Labor Day trip. We reserved our sites last week and we are excited for it. While in Montreal I expect we'll take at least a day to visit Ottawa and possibly some other spots in Ontario. I need to research what provincial parks are within range from where we'll be staying. For me researching and planning for trips is what makes the wait bearable.

[@gldsmith61]

We did not know, very cool.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Glad we were able to share this information with you.

[@FollowThomas]

I would definitely check this out when I'm in the area. Beautiful park. 👍🙂

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

It’s worth a visit if you are in the area for sure. Thanks for watching.

[@David-jo4gt]

Great video!! We will be in Columbia Tuesday might plan a side trip.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

It’s definitely worth going if you are in the area.

[@charlenec.austin8831]

No one does this like you do! Love your videos!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thank you sweet friend!

[@jeffjacobs7774]

I glad you are back after moving into your new home, I enjoy watching your adventures. Have you ever checked out the New River National Gorge in WV, we were there two weeks ago. For me a very magical place maybe you would like it too. Happy tails enjoy you videos.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We only made a quick stop at the New River National Gorge on a previous trip. We definitely need to go back and spend more time there. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@mikemanjo2458]

Hey, sweet friends! What a wonderful, quiet place to go! Incredible trip! Maggie sure seemed to love it. The “Come to the Water” song was perfect for this and is one of my faves. Those birds could get a bit raucous, couldn’t they? I’ve never seen a pileated woodpecker in real life and that one tree was really HUGE in diameter! Love you guys so much! Your friend in SC, Jane❤️🙏🏻Have a Great week!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

It was our kind of place for sure. We both love “Come to the Water” too and have used it several times. We so appreciate your comment. Much Love.

[@judystreich7343]

Keep the secret, and the snakes. Not every park is meant to be over run by tourists, it would lose its appeal for those who appreciate nature. Maggie sure loves her water rides, and we love her.. Thanks for taking us along. 🙋🏼‍♀️🚗🇺🇸🐕👍

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Maggie always good great on the water. Thanks for watching.

[@charlesterrell2507]

Maggie is the star of the show we have a cocker spaniel named Lily she looks so much alike Yall look like you’re really enjoying your videos keep up the good work

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Maggie is the star for sure. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@sandrap3047]

Congaree NP looks beautiful! I still haven’t visited it & it’s in my home state. Where were the gators? May have been too cold for them to be out. Well said Owen! Memories are priceless! I watch money all year but spend whatever I want on vacation. Glad I’ve had that mindset. Spent so much money on vacations with my nieces, but so grateful I did because 2 out of my 3 beautiful nieces have passed away now! So very grateful for all those priceless memories we made on many vacations!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

The kayak guide said there were only a couple of gators and he rarely sees them. Glad you were able to enjoy your nieces, I’m sure it’s hard to loose them so young. Thanks for sharing.

[@shelleypakenham9129]

We were camping in Northern Ontario this past summer . The sign entering the park was a misquote carrying campers away.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We’ve seen that sign. haha

[@FromShetoMe]

What kind of pine was that? Sounded like blah blah pine. John thought you said Rottweiler pine. Must be our age. Where were the alligators?

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Loblolly pine g.co/kgs/kZepcu

[@FromShetoMe]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle What an interesting name. Thanks!

[@debbie5765]

There’s a loblolly festival in Laurel, Ms every year ! 🇺🇸🌵❤️

[@FromShetoMe]

@@debbie5765 Sounds like as much fun as the Gilroy Garlic Festival.

[@debbie5765]

From She to Me - My husband still has nightmares from the Garlic Festival, over 100 degrees & way too much garlic !

[@edmalin2225]

Where did you camp over night during your visit to Congaree NP? Seems as though the NP has tents only… thank you

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We stayed at the Sesquicentennial State Park. In next weeks video we show more of the SP and the behind the scenes of this trip. It was a great SP with lots of hikes and a beautiful lake. You are correct the NP only has walk in tent sites. We found a few boondocking places on IOverlander but they were small and right on the road.

[@blocksandy]

Checking… where did you camp?

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Lots more about that in next week’s video… Sesquicentennial State Park.

[@wendieboudreau4710]

Who is the artist singing Come To The Water?

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Steve Ellis is the artist, we love that song.