Congaree Self Guided Boardwalk Tour Stop #18

Stop #18

Quick Facts

Location:

33.8294, -80.8196

Significance:

Tour stop

Harry Hampton

As a reporter and editor for The State newspaper, Harry Hampton began a campaign in the 1950s to save the Congaree River foodplain. An avid outdoorsman and hunter, he spent time exploring the old-growth forest. The Sims Trail you are crossing is a former road. Roads historically used by hunters, fishermen, and loggers are scattered throughout the park. They serve as a reminder of the long human history and use of the land. Many people, like Harry Hampton, had a strong connection to the forest and fought to protect it. Their efforts led to the establishment of Congaree Swamp National Monument in 1976 (re-designated as Congaree National Park in 2003).