Congaree National Park vs Everglades National Park

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Congaree National Park vs Everglades National Park

“Immerse yourself in the lush beauty of two of the most unique national parks in the US: Congaree and Everglades. While both are known for their stunning natural landscapes and diverse wildlife, they offer vastly different experiences for visitors. Congaree boasts towering old-growth trees, offering a serene escape into a forest primeval, while the Everglades is a vast wetland teeming with life, where alligators, manatees and countless bird species thrive. Whether you’re a hiker, kayaker, or simply a nature lover, both parks are sure to leave you in awe and wanting more.”

Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Everglades National Park

Congaree and Everglades National Parks both offer unique experiences for outdoor enthusiasts, but the types of hikes vary greatly. Congaree is known for its towering trees and diverse ecosystems, including the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the country. Hikes here range from easy boardwalks through wetlands to strenuous backcountry treks. The easiest hike is the 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop, while the hardest is the 26-mile Sandy Island Loop.

On the other hand, the Everglades is a vast network of swamps, marshes, and mangroves that support a rich array of wildlife. Hikes here are generally flatter and easier, with most trails consisting of raised boardwalks and trails through pine rocklands. The easiest hike is the 0.25-mile Anhinga Trail, while the hardest is the 9.5-mile Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness Trail.

In conclusion, Congaree and Everglades National Parks offer a range of hiking experiences for visitors, from easy boardwalks to strenuous backcountry treks.

Most Popular Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
Boardwalk Loop Trail 3862.416 3.9624 Easy loop 4
Weston Lake Loop Trail 7402.964 4.8768 Easy loop 4
Oakridge Trail 10138.842 5.7912 Easy loop 4
Congaree River Trail 15932.466 15.8496 Easy loop 4
Kingsnake Trail 11909.116 6.7056 Easy out and back 3.5
Congaree Bluff Trail 3379.614 5.7912 Easy loop 3.5
Congaree River Blue Trail 75317.112 1.8288 Moderate point to point 5

Most Popular Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
Shark Valley Trail 25427.572 6.7056 Easy loop 4.5
Anhinga Trail 2414.01 0 Easy loop 4.5
Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook Trail 321.868 0 Easy loop 4
Gumbo Limbo Trail 643.736 0 Easy loop 3.5
Long Pine Key Trail 24944.77 0 Easy out and back 4
Mahogany Hammock Trail 643.736 0 Easy loop 3.5
Everglades Coastal Prairie Trail 27358.78 4.8768 Easy out and back 4
Pinelands Trail 643.736 0 Easy loop 3.5
Everglades National Park East Entrance to Flamingo Scenic Route 58258.108 7.9248 Easy point to point 4.5
Nine Mile Pond 8851.37 0 Easy loop 4

Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Everglades National Park

Congaree National Park in South Carolina is home to diverse wildlife including white-tailed deer, river otters, bobcats, and over 200 species of birds such as the prothonotary warbler, wood duck, and the pileated woodpecker. The park’s unique ecosystem, which includes old-growth hardwood forests, swampy bottomlands, and the Congaree River, provides a habitat for these and other species. The park is also home to diverse plant life, including the rare bald cypress and water tupelo trees.

In contrast, Everglades National Park in Florida is renowned for its vast array of wildlife, including American alligators, manatees, American white pelicans, and a variety of wading birds such as great egrets and roseate spoonbills. The park’s diverse habitats, including sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests, and pine rocklands, provide a home for a wide range of species. Additionally, the park is home to over 350 species of birds and a variety of rare and endangered plants, including the ghost orchid and the royal palm.

Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Everglades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.

Birds

Congaree National Park Everglades National Park
Peregrine Falcon Peregrine Falcon
Northern Harrier Northern Harrier
Sharp-Shinned Hawk Sharp-Shinned Hawk
Osprey Osprey
Tree Swallow Tree Swallow
Mallard Mallard
Canada Goose Canada Goose
Lincoln’s Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet Ruby-Crowned Kinglet
American Robin American Robin
Great Horned Owl Great Horned Owl
Red-Tailed Hawk Red-Tailed Hawk
Northern Flicker Northern Flicker
Merlin Merlin
Barn Swallow Barn Swallow
Savannah Sparrow Savannah Sparrow
Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron
Hermit Thrush Hermit Thrush
American Kestrel American Kestrel
Bald Eagle Bald Eagle
Song Sparrow Song Sparrow
European Starling European Starling
American Wigeon Northern Pintail
Green-Winged Teal American Wigeon
American Pipit Green-Winged Teal

Mammals

Congaree National Park Everglades National Park
Coyote Coyote
American Beaver Bobcat
Muskrat Striped Skunk
Big Brown Bat Raccoon
Bobcat Red Fox
Striped Skunk House Mouse
Raccoon Mink
Black Bear Gray Fox
Red Fox Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat
Mink White-Tailed Deer
Common Gray Fox Eastern Cottontail
North American River Otter House Rat
White-Tailed Deer Spotted Skunk
Virginia Opossum Fox Squirrel
Eastern Red Bat Eastern Gray Squirrel
White-Footed Mouse Feral Hog
Eastern Cottontail Northern Short-Tailed Shrew
Eastern Fox Squirrel Least Shrew
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Feral Hog
Northern Short-Tailed Shrew
Least Shrew

Reptiles

Congaree National Park Everglades National Park
Racer
Ringneck Snake
Common Garter Snake
Common Kingsnake

Insects

Congaree National Park Everglades National Park
Alfalfa Sulphur
Monarch
American Painted Lady
Red Admiral
Mourning Cloak
Cabbage Butterfly
Checkered Skipper
Variegated Fritillary
Buckeye
Commom Wood Nymph
Gray Hairstreak

Fish

Congaree National Park Everglades National Park
Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass
Green Sunfish Bluegill
Bluegill Golden Shiner
Golden Shiner Yellow Bullhead
European Carp Channel Catfish
Yellow Bullhead Black Crappie
Graceful Catfish Mosquitofish
Black Crappie Brown Bullhead
Mosquitofish Goldfish
Brown Bullhead

Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Everglades National Park

Congaree National Park is known for its towering old-growth hardwood forest, with many of its trees reaching over 100 feet tall. The park also features the Congaree River, which runs through the park, and offers opportunities for canoeing and kayaking.

Everglades National Park is a unique landscape of sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests, and pine rocklands. The park is home to an abundance of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and a diverse array of bird species. Visitors can also explore the park by boat, on foot, or by airboat to see its stunning landscapes, including the 10,000 Islands, a mangrove and island wilderness.

Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Everglades National Park

Congaree National Park and Everglades National Park both provide unique outdoor experiences for visitors, but with different focuses. Congaree offers guided ranger programs and hiking trails through its old-growth hardwood forest, while Everglades offers a chance to kayak and canoe through the largest subtropical wilderness in the US, as well as wildlife viewing opportunities with several species of wading birds, alligators, and manatees. Both parks offer camping and picnic areas, with Congaree offering backcountry camping and Everglades offering beach camping. Both parks also offer ranger-led boat tours, but Congaree has a more limited range with its Cedar Creek Canoe Trail, while Everglades has the Ten Thousand Islands boat tour. For those interested in fishing, Everglades has saltwater fishing opportunities, while Congaree has a more limited range with only freshwater fishing.

Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Everglades National Park

Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Everglades National Park in Florida have different seasonal weather patterns. Congaree experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures ranging from 80-90°F and frequent thunderstorms, while winters are mild with temperatures in the 50-60°F range. Everglades, on the other hand, has hot and humid summers, with temperatures in the low 90s, and mild, dry winters with temperatures in the 60s-70s°F. Both parks receive the most rainfall from May to October, with the wettest months being June through September. The best time to visit Congaree National Park is during the cooler months of December to February, while Everglades National Park is best visited in the drier months of December through April.

Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Everglades National Park

Congaree and Everglades National Parks both provide unique, natural experiences. Congaree has a 2.4-mile boardwalk trail that offers an easy walk through its towering old-growth forest, making it a great option for families with children who are interested in nature. On the other hand, Everglades has a variety of ranger-led activities, such as boat tours, that provide a more immersive experience of the park’s swamp and. Everglades also has campgrounds, picnic areas, and trails available for families to enjoy. Overall, Everglades may be the better option for families with children due to its variety of activities and opportunities for exploration.

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