Congaree National Park: Plan Your Adventure

This in-store presentation brings Congaree National Park to life while giving you the practical tools to prepare for your visit. Congaree protects the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the country, where towering champion trees rise from a rich floodplain shaped by the Congaree and Wateree Rivers. Elevated boardwalks wind through lush wetlands, seasonal floods transform the forest floor, and an incredible diversity of plants and wildlife thrives just outside the city of Columbia. Led by a park ranger who knows the landscape inside and out, you’ll learn what makes Congaree unique, how to plan for hiking in a dynamic floodplain environment, and what to expect from its trails, weather, and wildlife. This session will also explore the cultural and natural history of the park, build a deeper connection to this local public land, and share Leave No Trace practices that help protect fragile ecosystems for future visitors. Whether you’re planning your first trip or looking to experience the park more intentionally, this presentation will help you go prepared and inspired. About our speaker: Shelby Bently is an Interpretive Park Ranger at Congaree National Park who specializes in helping visitors connect with the park’s unique ecology, history, and landscapes through engaging and practical education.