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Contact: Lauren Gurniewicz, 803-647-3969
Congaree National Park Superintendent Tracy Stakely has announced adjustments to two park regulations in an effort to provide an improved experience for park visitors.The interim regulations allow for leashed pet access on the park's 2.4 mile boardwalk and opens Weston Lake to fishing. Both regulations are effective immediately and will run on a trial basis through October 1, 2013. During the trial period, potential impacts to park resources will be evaluated. The park will now allow unrestricted pet access on all park trails, including the boardwalk. Pets must be leashed, attended to at all times on the trails and pet waste must be disposed of properly.This interim regulation will not affect the current restriction on pets inside Federal buildings or any other regulations that apply to pets unleashed or running at large. If the new regulation is successful, it will be made permanent at the end of the trial period. The importance of fishing as a popular recreational activity was recognized in Congaree's enabling legislation in 1976 and has been permitted in most areas of the park, except for Weston Lake, since that time.A new interim regulation will allow visitors to fish at Weston Lake for the first time in years. Fishermen must obtain a fishing license as required by South Carolina State law. Fishing will remain restricted along the shoreline within 100 ft. of the Weston Lake Overlook and from any part of the boardwalk or Overlook. Visitors fishing in the park are asked to carry out their trash to be disposed of properly. If the new regulation is successful, it will be made permanent at the end of the trial period. Check park regulations or call 803-776-4396 for additional park information before your visit. |
Last updated: April 14, 2015