“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.