Big Trunk Trail

Big Trunk Trail loops through the old-growth bottomland forest interior of Congaree National Park, venturing into sections of the floodplain that shelter some of the tallest and most massive trees in the eastern United States. The trail takes its name from the extraordinary girth of the ancient trees encountered along its length, including towering loblolly pines that have been recognized as national champions for their species. Cherrybark oaks with immense spreading crowns, water tupelo, and sweetgum add to the diversity of the forest canopy overhead. The flat terrain is characteristic of active floodplain environments, where periodic inundation by the Congaree River deposits nutrients that fuel the extraordinary tree growth for which this park is famous. Trail conditions can be muddy or flooded after heavy rains, so waterproof footwear is often advisable. The absence of significant elevation change makes this route accessible to most hikers, though distances over soft soil can feel longer than expected. Wildlife is abundant in this forest, with prothonotary warblers, pileated woodpeckers, river otters, and white-tailed deer among the species regularly encountered. The sense of scale created by the enormous trees, many over 150 feet tall, is genuinely awe-inspiring. Interpretive signs along portions of the route provide context about the ecology and champion tree designations. This trail offers an excellent way to explore the interior forest beyond the popular elevated boardwalk.