South Carolina state park using limited hours during feral hog operation

HOPKINS, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — National Park Service staff will be managing the feral hog population at a South Carolina state park.

NPS officials say the work at Congaree National Park will begin Monday, July 8, and run through mid-August, affecting visitor hours. The process includes using firearms, including high-powered rifles, and working during periods when feral hogs are most active during this time of the year.

Congaree, located about 18 miles southeast of Columbia, is the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States.

The feral hog operation will take place on the following dates:

July 8-9, Aug. 2-4, Aug. 16-18.

One these dates, access to park trails and facilities, including the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, parking lots, and Longleaf and Bluff Campgrounds, will close to the public beginning at 4:30 p.m. and will reopen to the public at 7:00 a.m. the following morning. Access to all park trails west of the South Cedar Creek Canoe Landing, along with Cedar Creek between Bannister’s Bridge and South Cedar Creek landings will also be closed.

Due to the nature of this work, a resource closure is necessary to preserve staff and visitor safety while it is taking place. Visitors should not enter the park while this work is ongoing.

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