Congaree national park and the synchronous flashing fireflies. The park received its official designation in 2003 as the culmination of a grassroots campaign that began in 1969. Synchronized fireflies lighting skies at congaree national park. Congaree national park is the largest old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the entire united states, and the beauty of the space is limitless. Join one of the park s founders on a fivemile, offtrail hike to some of the biggest trees in the park. Congaree national park is located at 100 national park rd. Possessing or removing any natural resources from the park is a big nono. May 22, 2018 lightning bugs perform their annual flashing show at congaree national park. Weather at congaree national park with a humid subtropical climate, the park experiences mild winters and very warm, wet summers.
Free educational programs offered at congaree national park. The park contains some of the tallest trees in eastern. Every year, congaree national park hosts synchronous fireflies for approximately two weeks between midmay and midjune. Jun 07, 2017 the national park is home to 19 species of fireflies, including that flash. Each of the park pamphlets follow a unigrid design format developed in the 1970s. Starting around the middle of may, the synchronous fireflies make their annual appearance in the forest, lighting up the night with. May 18, 2016 congaree national park is one of the few easily accessible places in the country where people can see fireflies light up all at one time, rather than blink sporadically.
The lush trees growing in this floodplain forest are some of the tallest in the eastern u. But what they lack in difficulty they make up for with. In the park, the color of the light youll see will be either green or white. Once exploited by humans for farming, cattle grazing, plantation agriculture, and logging, the park area is now used gently for recreation and conservation. Synchronous fireflies at congaree national park youtube. The area was named a national park in 2003 with a goal of preserving this southern. The congaree national park is a southern dream of swaying spanish moss, monumental old growth trees, humming bugs, and tranquil rivers. The bates ferry trail is a 2mile outandback route in the eastern section of the park that follows a historic ferry road used to transport people, livestock, crops, and other items to south carolina cities.
Other check lists for congaree national park check lists for individual taxa that live here, e. A fireflys life cycle in the great smoky mountains national park gsmnp just as their are many species of fireflies on the gsmnp, there are many flash patterns, light color, feeding habits, seasonal patterns and flight capabilities, however, the basics of their lifecycle is the same with all of these beetles. An insiders guide to congaree national park fall in love. Lighting up congaree make time between now and midjune for one of the worlds most impressive lightning bug displays at south carolinas congaree national park by brent crane.
Synchronous fireflies in the great smoky mountains. Synchronized fireflies lighting skies at congaree national. Volunteers wednesday saw intermittent fireflies activity along the fireflies. With over 2,000 species found worldwide, there are only three species of synchronous flashing fireflies that can be found in north america. No visitors for congaree synchronous fireflies due to.
May 12, 2017 park staff and community partners are gearing up for a celebration of the annual synchronous fireflies which will soon appear at congaree national park. Congaree national park overview of the park duration. Before joining the national park service in 2003, kinzer was an environmental lawyer in private practice in atlanta. Great smoky mountains national park is the most famous example in the united states, and it draws thousands of visitors in early may and june every year.
Timelapse video of synchronous fireflies at congaree national park, shot from mid to latemay 2018. Lightning bugs perform their annual flashing show at congaree national park. This is the best place in north america to see synchronous. Congaree national park is accessible and doesnt have a lottery system. Congaree national parks synchronized fireflies are drawing crowds to the columbiaarea nature preserve as the weather heats up this spring. Wildlife, natural history, ecology, great smoky mountains national park, synchronous fireflies. The number of people visiting congaree in 2019 was 159,445 congaree was made a national park on november 10, 2003. Congaree national park offers hiking, primitive camping, bird watching, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking, and nature study. The format was invented to make design easy, minimize waste, and work horizontally or vertically.
At south carolinas only national park, paddle through. In an annual rite of spring, the synchronous, or synchronized, fireflies have arrived at congaree national park. View road national park road park entrance bluff trail weston lake trail boardwalk sims trail after hours parking river t r a i l a o a kri d g e tr i l k i n s n a k e t a i l calhoun c o u n t r c. Midmay officially marked the beginning of synchronous firefly season even garden and gun wrote about it, and cnp celebrates with their annual fireflies festival, which began may 10 and lasts through monday, may 27. Travel through flooded plains of cypress trees on an elevated boardwalk, or walk through. Synchronous fireflies have arrived at scs congaree park. Synchronous fireflies in the great smoky mountains national.
The accompanying text gives a brief description of the park, directions to the park, information on available visitor facilities, and trail descriptions. Congaree national park visitor center, boardwalks, and trails fantastic opportunity to view a rare section of undisturbed bottomland hardwood forest along the floodplain of the congaree river. Where and when to find synchronous fireflies in great smoky. Waters from the congaree and wateree rivers sweep through the floodplain, carrying nutrients and sediments that nourish and rejuvenate this ecosystem and support the growth of national and state champion trees. According to the national park service, synchronous fireflies. Congaree natio al park 15 25 20 15 10 5 0 hopkins congaree eastover wateree fort motte to orangeburg and to and camden to and columbia f road mt. Congaree national park fireflies 1 june 2017 youtube. Npspecies the national park service biodiversity database. Not the baseball players in columbia, mind you, but the actual lightning bugs. May 09, 2016 each of the park pamphlets follow a unigrid design format developed in the 1970s. Congaree national park covers a total area of 22,200 acres. Jun 02, 2017 every year the the congaree national park outside of columbia south carolina hosts the synchronous fireflies. Synchronous fireflies photinus carolinus are one of at least 19 species of fireflies that live in great smoky mountains national park and one of only a few. The park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the united states.
Synchronous fireflies to appear soon at congaree national park. Congaree national park national park, south carolina. Congaree national park is a lush backcountry inhabited by bobcats, deer, and playful river otters. Congaree national park, natural area in central south carolina, u. Every year, congaree national park hosts synchronous fireflies photuris frontalis for approximately two. Join one of the parks founders on a fivemile, offtrail hike to some of the biggest trees in the park. Firefly experience book is now available for purchase. Every year, congaree national park hosts synchronous fireflies photuris frontalis for approximately two weeks between midmay and midjune. Over the past several years, congaree national park has seen a dramatic increase in the number of visitors traveling to the park to witness the synchronous fireflies phenomenon. There are at least 19 different species of fireflies that live within the great smoky mountains national park, and synchronous fireflies are one of them. Jun 15, 2017 established in 1976, congaree national park contains within its boundaries nearly twentyseven thousand acres of protected uplands, floodplains, and swamps.
Synchronous fireflies photinus carolinus are one of at least 19 species of fireflies that live in great smoky mountains national park. Here, the best time to visit to see fireflies goes from late march to early april. South carolinas congaree national park inundates visitors with a sense of tranquility, but dont be fooledthis park is perfect for even the most avid adventurer with 25 miles of hiking trails, opportunities to flatwater paddle and backcountry camp, and stunning. And as of tuesday, may 7, things are already getting lit at the park in small, isolated groups for now but still making their way there, nonetheless midmay officially marks the beginning of synchronous. This is a beautiful park that is about 20 miles south of columbia, south carolina and about 120 miles northwest of charleston, south carolina. In this episode the reagan show goes to check them out. In a limited engagement, the fireflies blink in sync in the. Its a 20mile trail that requires countless portages due to numerous fallen cypress and tupelo trees on. You may not believe your eyes, but thousands of fireflies will soon light up congaree national park cnp. Apr 26, 2016 bird check list for congaree national park view plain taxonomic photo.
Most trails in congaree national park are in a floodplain, which means the terrain is generally very flat. For more information, click here or call 803 7764396. Mark kinzer is an environmental protection specialist in the southeast regional office of the national park service in atlanta, georgia. While the area is accessible in all seasons, it is best experienced in the spring and fall when temperatures are at their most comfortable and insects are generally not a problem. Astonishing biodiversity exists in congaree national park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern united states. You may not believe your eyes, but thousands of fireflies have been lighting up congaree national park cnp. Where and when to find synchronous fireflies in great. And as of tuesday, may 7, things are already getting lit at the park in small, isolated groups for now but still making their way there, nonetheless.
The 26,000 acre national park protects the largest intact tract of oldgrowth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the united states. The short window of activity for these fascinating creatures is mid may to mid. In 2003, the monument became the 26,000acre congaree national park, a littleknown haven of meandering waterways and champion trees a. In a limited engagement, the fireflies blink in sync in. Last year, more than 12,000 people visited the national park, located just outside of columbia in hopkins, to witness the rare synchronized flashing of fireflies in the swamp.
At south carolinas only national park, paddle through some. Congaree national park hopkins all you need to know. Synchronous fireflies great smoky mountains national park. Lightning bugs performing their annual flashing show at. The best time to view the fireflies is just after dark, usually between 9 p. May 26, 2018 timelapse video of synchronous fireflies at congaree national park, shot from mid to latemay 2018. Your guide to shenandoah national park includes thoughtful commentary on congarees history, geography, flora, and fauna. Fantastic opportunity to view a rare section of undisturbed bottomland hardwood forest along the floodplain of the congaree river.
There is a detailed map of each park showing trails and facilities. Beneath the picturesque spanish moss and cypress swamps, lies the vast terrain of a park just begging to be explored. Dec 30, 2014 ask people to list our national parks and chances are that unless they are from somewhere in south carolina, congaree national park will not get mentioned. Congaree national park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As spring approaches, this park becomes the perfect destination for adventurers of all ages looking to escape for an afternoon, night, or weekend to a southern paradise. The majority of congarees trails weave through the floodplain and consequently have little elevation change. The rare phenomenon of synchronization lasts been two. The firefly phenomenon at congaree national park in south. How to experience synchronous fireflies in columbia colatoday.
Not the baseball players, mind you, but the actual lightning bugs. A crowd gathers along the fireflies trail inside congaree national park to watch synchronous fireflies sunday may 20, 2018, in columbia, sc. Apr 22, 2020 synchronous fireflies photinus carolinus are one of at least 19 species of fireflies that live in great smoky mountains national park. The synchronous fireflies are a rare phenomenon and can only be seen in a handful of places throughout the south. Fireflies performing their annual show at congaree park the. Your guide to congaree national park ebook by michael joseph.
If you choose to visit a national park, please ensure that you follow cdc and state and local guidelines to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and practice. The national park is home to 19 species of fireflies, including that flash. The park has sought to provide visitors with safe and enjoyable experiences, while also protecting the fireflies and. Congaree national park offers tremendous hiking opportunities through the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the southeastern united states. Each summer, tourists travel to the great smoky mountains national park to spot the flashing light patterns of synchronous fireflies. Spring brings one of the most spectacular light shows in nature to congaree national park.
Blue spring state park is one of those firefly spots. The park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the united. Bird check list for congaree national park inaturalist. Your guide to congaree national park ebook by michael. During this time visitors can experience an aweinspiring display of synchronous flashing while the fireflies search for a mate. Congaree national park visitor center, boardwalks, and trails. Ask people to list our national parks and chances are that unless they are from somewhere in south carolina, congaree national park will not get mentioned. This is the best place in north america to see synchronous fireflies. Synchronous fireflies are back at congaree national park.
They are the only species in america whose individuals can synchronize their flashing light patterns. Apr 21, 2020 synchronous fireflies light up the forest at dusk. Fireflies light up congaree national park south carolina. Congaree national park is one of the few easily accessible places in the country where people can see fireflies light up all at one time, rather than blink sporadically. They take from one to two years to mature from larvae. The rivers waters carry nutrients and sediments through the park that fortify the forested wetlands. It is so new, having been established as our 57th national park in 2003. Read your guide to congaree national park by michael joseph oswald available from rakuten kobo. Located in south carolina, the 34 mi2 89 km 2 congaree national park is the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the united states but one of the smallest national parks. Welcome to congaree national parks official facebook page. Bring water and bug spray, but leave your glass jars behind. Congaree national park is bordered to the south by the congaree river, which creates slowmoving creeks, oxbow lakes, and swampy areas throughout the park. He is a graduate of davidson college and the university of georgia school of law. Fireflies love being around both humid weather and water, so it should be no surprise that there are pockets of central florida that are great spots to enjoy the sites.
My friend and i canoed on cedar creek from cedar creek landing all the way to the congaree river, finishing at bates bridge boat landing at hwy 601. Rangers and volunteers conduct interpretive walks and talks throughout the year. Fireflies performing their annual show at congaree park. May 04, 2017 in 2003, the monument became the 26,000acre congaree national park, a littleknown haven of meandering waterways and champion trees a short drive from columbia, the state capital. For information on the scientific research of fireflies at congaree national park, be sure to visit the oldgrowth bottomland forest research and education centers fireflies page. The most well known of synchronous fireflies is the photinus carolinus located at elkmont in the great smoky national park. Lightning bugs perform their annual flashing show at congaree. Park staff and community partners are gearing up for a celebration of the annual synchronous fireflies which will soon appear at congaree national park. Because they are scattered in a forest of towering trees, they can be tricky to find. Aug 07, 2015 fireflies love being around both humid weather and water, so it should be no surprise that there are pockets of central florida that are great spots to enjoy the sites.
1329 1144 391 825 1021 505 837 1351 1215 313 1039 726 1313 125 563 1350 1511 1449 510 892 439 195 504 1028 1459 6 576 501 245 487 5 1475 372 984 681 1255 1342 1021 10 1123 738 234 1242 1172 1183 770 1411 866