Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve

From the SCDNR Public Lands website (https://www2.dnr.sc.gov/Manag…/ManagedLand/ManagedLand/101):
The Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve comprises 201 acres and contains steep, undisturbed bluffs bordering the Congaree River. Located in Calhoun County, the preserve harbors significant stands of American beech, oak-hickory and bottomland hardwood forest. The upland areas of the preserve are being restored to longleaf pine. No comparable sites exist in the coastal plain of South Carolina. There are several other sites nearby on private lands, but these areas, along with the preserve, are unique. Similar systems in and around the Florida Panhandle have been documented to have the greatest number of trees per unit area within the temperate forest of the eastern United States. More than 100 species of trees, shrubs and woody vines exist in the preserve from the ridge base to the crest of the bluffs. Woody plants may number 200 species.

There are 3 loop trails on the property, totaling 3 miles in length. They range from easy to strenuous. The elevation ranges from 90 feet along the river to over 250 feet in the higher sections. The Ravine Walk is 1.5 miles and passes through bottomland hardwoods. The Bluff-River Walk is 1.0 miles and takes you down along the Congaree River. The Observation Walk is 0.5 miles long. An observation deck provides an overlook of Congaree National Park.

SC DNR Region 3 Heritage Preserve Biologist Hunter Young will be onsite to let us into the education center, provide more detailed descriptions of the property and answer any questions we might have.

General Directions:
• Take I-77 South
• Take Exit 9B
• Turn right onto Leesburg Road
• Take a Left turn onto Garners Ferry Road (Hwy. 378)
• Continue on Hwy 378 for 16.6 miles
• Take a right turn onto McCords Ferry Road (Hwy. 601)
• Continue on Hwy 601 for 17.2 miles
• Turn right onto Fort Motte Road (SC-419)
• Continue on Fort Motte Road for 3.6 miles
• Turn right onto Turkey Track Lane and go about 0.3 miles
• Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve will be on your left.

From Columbia
I-26 East (toward Charleston) take exit 125
Turn right onto SSR31 known as Old Sandy Run Road
Drive 2 miles on Old Sandy Run Road until you come to a stop sign at Highway 176
Turn right onto Highway 176 and then you will travel 7.6 miles
Turn left just past West Bethel Church on SSR24 known as Old Bellville Road
Travel 7 miles on Old Bellville Road
Turn left on to Purple Martin Road just past Mount Carmel Baptist Church
Travel on Purple Martin Road until you come to a stop sign at SSR25 known as Fort Motte Road
Turn left on Fort Motte Road and travel for 2.8 miles. Heritage Preserve Sign is on the right
Turn left on Turkey Track Lane (dirt road)

From Charleston
Take I-26 W to Exit 145 (US 601)
Travel north on US 601 approximately 15 miles
Turn left on SC 419; follow SC 419 for 2.5 miles to the railroad tracks in Fort Motte
Cross tracks and continue straight for approximately 1 mile
Turn right on Turkey Track Lane (dirt road)
Follow Turkey Track Lane for approximately 1 mile.

There are two parking lots. We will meet in the second one, closest to the pavilion.
See you there!

Trip Coordinators:
Jerry Bright
Dave Schuetrum
Kim McManus