Hot Take: You Should Visit Congaree National Park in the Rain
You wake up the morning of your trip to South Carolina’s only national park and look at the weather forecast – rain. Don’t cancel your trip, though. Congaree transforms in the rain, offering a unique adventure that we urge you to experience.
Why should you visit Congaree National Park in the rain? Here’s our top reasons:
1. Fairytale-like fog.
Sometimes when it rains, a dense fog sits above the floodplain, especially on Cedar Creek. This is caused by the cool water meeting the warm air. Watching the fog breathe in and out between the cypress and tupelo trees is mesmerizing. Take a hike, record a time lapse, or pretend you’re in a fantasy land.
2. Clears the crowds.
Most of Congaree National Park is federally designated wilderness, a designation that prioritizes the natural solitude that the old-growth forest can provide. There is nothing more healing than bathing in the breeze, bird calls, and peace that the park provides. Visiting during the rain means that less people will be there, so you can really spend some time alone with the earth.
3. Minimal mosquitos.
Mosquitos may come after the rain, but during, you’ll only feel the refreshing raindrops on your skin. Congaree has a bit of a reputation for being buggy, which can drive some people away. But from our experience, mosquitos are never a big deal, even in the summer.
4. Must-see moss.
The floodplain is an ideal environment for moss to thrive. When it rains, the green and white moss really pops against the muted background. Explore the plush growth resting on the forest floor and climbing the sides of tupelos. Ponder why moss often grows only on one side of a tree. Take a stunning close-up picture of the moss’s intricacies. Dream of shrinking down and taking a nap on the fluffy green flora.
Just like any time you visit a park, make sure you come prepared. In the rain, this means warm clothes that cover your skin and waterproof shoes with good tread in addition to your other hiking essentials.
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