Sims Trail, Congaree National Park - Member Hike

Hike Name:	Sims Trail, Congaree National Park
Country:	United States
State:	South Carolina
Nearby Town:	Hopkins
Rating:
Directions:	From Interstate 77, Exit 5: At Exit 5 turn off onto SC Hwy 48 East (Bluff Road), and travel southeast approximately fourteen miles toward Gadsden and turn right onto Mt. View Road. Follow Mt. View Road for 0.8 miles and then turn right onto Old Bluff Road and travel 0.6 miles. Turn left at the park entrance sign and proceed one mile to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center.
Total Hike Distance:	4.60 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Easy
Permit Required:	No
Hike Type:	In & Out, Backtrack Hike
Hike Starts/Ends:	After Hours parking lot
Trails Used:	Bluff Trail, Sims Trail
Backcountry Campsites:	No
Backcountry Water Sources:	Streams
Management:	National Park Service
Contact Information:	(803) 776-4396 ext. 0 http://www.friendsofcongaree.org
Best Season:	Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Users:	Hikers, Dogs
Road Conditions:	Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads
Hike Summary:	4.6 miles of interesting walking using the Bluff Trail and Sims Trail as an in-and-out. This is good way to see new-growth forest and old-growth forest in the same hike. The Bluff trail departs the After Hours parking lot and is easy walking to the junction with the Sims Trail. From there, the walking is more like country road travel, all the way down to Cedar Creek. Pick up a free trail map at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center before you start walking. There are many combinations of trails that can be used. You can easily turn the Sims Trail hike into a 'loop' hike by returning on the Weston Lake Loop Trail and Low Boardwalk. Call the park directly for current trail conditions before you visit. Every once in a while, the Congaree River floods it's banks, making a hike on most of the Sims Trail impossible. (803) 776-4396 ext. 0 Be sure to ask the rangers about the Friends of Congaree Swamp. This is a non-profit organization that helps protect and promote Congaree National Park and it's unique environment. More info here: http://www.friendsofcongaree.org