About CNP

Congo Nature Preserve now has trails open to the public.
Congo Falls Park was officially opened to the public May 1st 2021 and requires an advance permit to access.
We are working hard to save our lands while creating a fun save environment 
to bring your whole family to enjoy. 

Congo Nature Preserve is on the outskirts of a community named Congo in Cherokee County, Alabama

1890

The community got its name Congo from the governor of Alabama in 1890 in honor of David Livingston, to commemorate the expeditions he made to the African Congo.

1892

 A Post Office was built in 1892 and a Whistle Stop was also in place that was visited by Anny Sullivan (Helen Keller's teacher). ​

1909

A fire claimed some of the buildings in Congo and the post office was abandoned in 1909, but the zip code was left in place. The town/community of Congo fell off the maps for over 100 years, but was remembered by some.

2010

In 2010 the first tracts were brought that would later become part of the park.

2017

In 2017 the full process began to establish Congo Nature Preserve and clean up process began. ​

2020

On May 1st 2020, Congo Nature Preserve was entered in the national registry of private nature preserves with the first trails opening September 5th 2020. As clean up effort went underway to develop a safe clean environment for families and tourist to enjoy Congo Nature Preserve opened the first official park in the Congo community on September 5th 2020 under the name of Congo Falls Park. 

2021

Congo Falls Park was officially opened to the public on May 1st 2021 for swimming and day access. ​

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We are now working to gain more land to make the park bigger and open more hiking trails, mountain biking trails, and a bird sanctuary. We are currently working to set up volunteer and school/college programs. 

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Please consider getting involved to help protect this beautiful piece of history.

Donate: We really need funds to continue to clean and preserve this area.
We have several additional tracts of land under extended contract that border CNP, 
this will protect more lands and increase our visitors experience.  
We also need to purchase maintenance trucks and a commercial mower.

Volunteer: We also need volunteers to help us clean up destruction from past vandals, 
to improve parking areas and roadways, to build and maintain trails, to build a safe launch point for kayakers, 
to replace only bolts in rock climbing routs, photo & video to better market preservation. 

MAKE A DONATION

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