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Congaree National Park has trees, of course. Enormous trees. But there's so much more to see in the place they call the "Redwoods of the East." National Park Service programs help curious families discover all this hidden gem has to offer.
Below are some of the most popular offerings:
Meet one of the park's volunteer naturalists Saturday mornings on the boardwalk behind the Harry Hampton Visitor Center for a Nature Discovery Walk. During the two-hour treks, you'll venture into the forest in search of the many remarkable trees, plants, animals, insects and mud (yes, mud!) found along the boardwalk trail.
On the second Saturday of each month, visitors have the chance to get an up-close view of the trees that make Congaree so famous. The national champion trees are the largest of the species found anywhere in the United States. Because they are scattered in a forest of towering trees, they can be tricky to find. Join one of the park's founders on a 5-mile, off-trail hike to some of the biggest trees in the park.
Reconnect with nature and calm your mind with a yoga session amid the tallest loblolly pines in South Carolina. The class will include a 2-mile up-and-back walk into the forest. Yoga mats are not required, but be sure to wear tennis shoes and comfortable clothing, and bring a water bottle.
Rather than thriving on the water that periodically floods the park, a small section of Congaree's upland pine forest is most affected by fires. Learn about the pine ecosystem and how fires are used as a tool. The tour will cover approximately 1.8 miles.
