Congaree and Glacier Bay National Parks are two of the most unique and awe-inspiring destinations in the United States. Both parks offer visitors a chance to explore and discover the beauty of nature, but in vastly different ways. While Congaree is a lush, verdant swamp that is home to towering trees and diverse wildlife, Glacier Bay is a frozen wonderland of glaciers, fjords, and rugged mountain peaks. Whether you are a nature lover, an adventurer, or just looking for a peaceful escape, these two parks have something for everyone. So pack your bags, grab your binoculars and join us as we explore the breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences that await you at Congaree and Glacier Bay National Parks!
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska are both destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Congaree offers a range of hikes, from easy boardwalks to strenuous backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes is the 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop, which offers views of the park’s towering old-growth trees, while the hardest is the 17-mile Weston Lake Loop that takes hikers through backcountry swamps, forests and over creeks. On the other hand, Glacier Bay has a more rugged terrain with fewer maintained trails, but offers backcountry experiences that are truly unforgettable. Some of the easiest hikes at Glacier Bay include the Bartlett Cove Trail, a 1.5-mile hike to the beach, and the West Glacier Trail, a 2-mile hike through the lush rainforest. While the hardest hike is the challenging, multi-day Muir Inlet Trail which takes experienced hikers through remote wilderness to the glaciers of the park’s tidewater. Both parks offer unique and diverse hiking experiences, from exploring old-growth forests to trekking through rugged wilderness, making them both great choices for nature lovers.
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 Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bartlett Cove Forest Loop Trail | 1770.274 | 33.8328 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Bartlett River Trail | 11104.446 | 266.7 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Bartlet Lake Trail | 9495.106 | 141.732 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Tlingit Trail | 1770.274 | 19.812 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Point Gustavus | 20116.75 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Congaree National Park in South Carolina is known for its diverse array of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, feral pigs, river otters, and over 200 species of birds such as the barred owl, prothonotary warbler, and wood duck. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles such as the American alligator and several species of snakes. Vegetation includes loblolly pine, tupelo gum, and bald cypress trees, along with a variety of ferns, wildflowers, and mosses.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska boasts a diverse array of wildlife, including humpback whales, harbor seals, sea otters, and over 200 species of birds such as the bald eagle, common loon, and Steller’s jay. The park is also home to brown and black bears, moose, and mountain goats. Vegetation is dominated by Sitka spruce and western hemlock, with a variety of wildflowers and mosses.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Little Brown Bat |
| Big Brown Bat | Deer Mouse |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Raccoon | Red Fox |
| Black Bear | House Mouse |
| Red Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Mink | Mink |
| Common Gray Fox | Mule Deer |
| North American River Otter | Gray Wolf |
| White-Tailed Deer | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Virginia Opossum | Snowshoe Hare |
| Eastern Red Bat | River Otter |
| White-Footed Mouse | Masked Shrew |
| Eastern Cottontail | Water Shrew |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | Red Squirrel |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Montane Shrew |
| Feral Hog | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Lynx |
| Least Shrew | Wolverine |
| Marten | |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | |
| Grizzly Bear |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Ringneck Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Common Kingsnake |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Longnose Sucker |
| Golden Shiner | Lake Trout |
| European Carp | Northern Pike |
| Yellow Bullhead | Burbot |
| Graceful Catfish | Silver Salmon |
| Black Crappie | Chinook Salmon |
| Mosquitofish | Slimy Sculpin |
| Brown Bullhead | Threespine Stickleback |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Congaree National Park is famous for its old-growth hardwood forest and its towering trees, some of which reach heights of over 160 feet. Visitors can hike the boardwalk trail through the forest’s diverse ecosystem, which includes swamp and river habitats.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve features a stunning landscape of glaciers, snow-capped mountains, fjords, and wildlife. A highlight of the park is the actively calving glacier, Margerie Glacier, which towers over 200 feet and is a popular site for kayaking and boat tours. Additionally, the park is home to diverse wildlife such as whales, sea lions, and bears.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Congaree and Glacier Bay are both popular national parks in the US with unique offerings. Congaree is a temperate swamp park, popular for its towering trees, dark skies, and diverse wildlife. Visitors enjoy kayaking and canoeing through the park’s waterways, birdwatching, and camping. In comparison, Glacier Bay is known for its glaciers, whales, and stunning views of the Alaskan coast. Visitors here can take a boat tour to see glaciers and wildlife, go fishing, or camp. Both parks offer ranger-led programs, such as guided hikes and wildlife spotting walks. However, Congaree is also known for its unique “lights out” program, where visitors can spend the night in the park and experience the darkness of the swamp.
In summary, both Congaree and Glacier Bay offer outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, ranger-led programs, and wildlife viewing. Congaree is known for its dark skies, tall trees, and waterways, while Glacier Bay is famous for glaciers, whales, and stunning coastal views.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Congaree National Park in South Carolina has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and cool winters. The best time to visit is from October to May, when temperatures are mild and there is less rainfall. On the other hand, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska has a subarctic maritime climate with cool, wet summers and cold, snowy winters. The best time to visit Glacier Bay is from May to September, when temperatures are warmer and the snow has melted, allowing for better accessibility to the park’s glaciers and wildlife. In both parks, weather can greatly impact park activities and accessibility, so it’s important to check the forecast and plan accordingly.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Congaree and Glacier Bay National Parks offer different experiences for families. Congaree is more accessible, with a 2-hour drive from Columbia, SC and easy trails for hiking and picnicking. In contrast, Glacier Bay is remote, located in Alaska and requires a plane or boat ride to get there. It offers opportunities for whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife viewing, but might not be ideal for younger children. Both parks offer unique experiences, but Congaree may be a better option for families with younger children.