South Carolina rivers were once bordered by over a million acres of old-growth floodplain forest; now only 12,000 acres remain and 11,000 are preserved in Congaree National Park. Congress established Congaree Swamp National Monument in 1976 and in 2003 it changed the park's name and designation and established Congaree National Park. The guided canoe trip on Cedar Creek took us through a portion of the swamp and bottomland which featured large bald cypress and water tupelo trees draped with Spanish Moss. Lots to see while canoeing including some sizable snakes, not the least of which was a large water moccasin. Later we walked the 2.5 mile boardwalk which meanders just through the forest floor just above the swamp. It is a very unique and interesting national park.