The Boardwalk beside the visitor center is a loop. It takes about one and half hours to complete the loop.
The trail condition is very good for almost anybody to enjoy. For visitors in hurry, this trail
offers a good "sample" of the park. The special floodplain forest can be seen along the boardwalk.
The spikes seen in the picture are called "Cypress Knees". It is a unique feature to the cypress tree
in swamp environment. The knees basically help the main trunk to stay straight and also help the submerged
root to get air.
Congaree Swamp National Park Floodplain Forest
This is also a typical view in the park. The whole forest lives beside or in the water.
Despite the lack of huge tree along the boardwalk, the swampy forest scene is magnificent enough.
We have also enjoyed the singing of small birds in the forest.
Congaree Swamp National Park Weston Lake
Weston Lake is appriximately in the middle of the boardwalk loop. This is the lakeside scene.
I guess that it should look better in any season other than winter.
