About: Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve encompasses 201 acres along the Congaree River in Calhoun County directly across the river from Congaree Swamp National Park. Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve protects bluffs on the south side of the Congaree River that rise about 90 feet above the river and its flood plain. There are trails into an interesting moist ravine forest and also down into the flood plain forest. An overlook deck has a great view of most of Congaree National Park.
The rest of the preserve is mostly a pine plantation. Congaree Bluffs is a good companion site to Congaree National Park, since no part of the national park is south of the Congaree River where the high bluffs are.
Location: From the intersection of US 601 and SC 419 north of Saint Matthews turn west onto SC 419 and go 2.5 miles to the railroad tracks in Fort Motte. After crossing the tracks, continue straight for 1 mile to Turkey Track Lane. Turn right (north) onto Turkey Track Lane (a dirt road) and follow it for 0.95 miles. Here turn left just before the “Pennyworth Homes” sign and continue 0.1 miles to the parking lot.
Links: https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/sites/SC/congareebluffs.html https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/south-carolina/congaree-bluffs-heritage-preserve
