Bates Ferry Trail in Congaree National Park
See the Hiking Trails web page for a trail map, tips on hiking in Congaree National Park, and a link to reviews of the other trails in the park.
Length: 2.4 miles, round trip
Time: 1 hour (round trip)
Difficulty: Easy
The Bates Ferry Trail is one of two trails that are located outside the main section of Congaree National Park. From the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, the trail is a 25-minute drive. If using Google Maps for directions, search BATES FERRY TRAILHEAD. There is a trail identification sign at the road. Once you turn off the highway, follow the short side road to the trailhead.
There is not much to the Bates Ferry Trail. It is an old road, now grass covered, that ends at the Congaree River where the Bates Ferry once operated. It is an out-and-back hike, so when you get to the river you must turn around and hike the same way back to the parking lot.
Typical terrain on the Bates Ferry Trail in Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park has a problem with feral pigs, an invasive species. These animals like to dig up the dirt looking for food, and in such areas the ground looks as if somebody tilled it with a plow. There are many spots like this along the Bates Ferry Trail that cause the terrain to be uneven, so watch where you are stepping to avoid twisting an ankle. These rutted spots are the only obstacle on an otherwise very easy hike.
The Bates Ferry Trail passes through a swampy area, and there is some nice scenery along the way.
Swampy area along the Bates Ferry Trail in Congaree National Park
The trail is prone to flooding, and there were some muddy spots when I did the hike in mid-October despite every other trail in Congaree National Park being perfectly dry.
Muddy section of the Bates Ferry Trail in Congaree National Park
There are a few wayside exhibits along the trail that provide information about the various ferries on the Congaree and other rivers in this part of South Carolina and their importance during the American Revolution. Bates Ferry, by the way, was not around at this time. It is a newer ferry that began operation in 1840 and continued off and on until the early 1900s. The Bates Family, which owned the ferry by 1865, opened the original Bates Bridge in 1923, and the ferry was no longer needed. The original bridge was replaced by the current one in 1949.
Wayside exhibit along the Bates Ferry Trail in Congaree National Park
The Bates Ferry Trail ends at the Congaree River. The area is clear, so it is easy to walk right up to the water. Within Congaree National Park, this trail is the quickest way to get to the river.
End of the Bates Ferry Trail in Congaree National Park
View of the Congaree River from the end of the Bates Ferry Trail in Congaree National Park
View of the Congaree River from the end of the Bates Ferry Trail in Congaree National Park
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Last updated on November 8, 2024
