“Dreaming of a wilderness escape? Congaree and Glacier National Parks offer two vastly different experiences, both equally breathtaking. While Congaree boasts the tallest deciduous trees in the world, standing tall like sentinels in the lush, swampy wilderness, Glacier’s rugged peaks and pristine lakes will take your breath away, leaving you feeling small yet empowered in the face of its raw natural beauty. One park offers a serene, still landscape, while the other is all about drama and grandeur. So, pack your backpack and get ready to choose your own adventure – will it be towering trees or towering peaks?”
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Glacier National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Glacier National Park in Montana offer unique hiking experiences in different parts of the United States. Congaree has easier hikes, including the Boardwalk Loop Trail, which is a 2.4-mile boardwalk trail through the park’s old-growth bottomland hardwood forest. Another easy hike is the Weston Lake Loop, a 2.7-mile loop trail that takes you past Weston Lake. On the other hand, Glacier National Park has more challenging hikes, such as the Highline Trail, a 11.6-mile trail that takes you along the Garden Wall with stunning views of the park’s alpine landscape. Another difficult hike is the Grinnell Glacier Trail, a 10.7-mile trail that takes you to the Grinnell Glacier with views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
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 National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grinnell Glacier Trail | 18185.542 | 658.9776 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Avalanche Lake via the Trail of the Cedars | 9173.238 | 227.9904 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Iceberg Lake Trail | 14966.862 | 441.96 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Hidden Lake Trail | 8529.502 | 418.7952 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Highline Trail – Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet | 23979.166 | 785.7744 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail | 4667.086 | 137.7696 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hidden Lake Overlook | 4506.152 | 176.784 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cracker Lake Trail | 19312.08 | 502.92 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Trail of the Cedars | 1287.472 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| The Garden Wall | 23657.298 | 1068.9336 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Glacier National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina boasts of a thriving ecosystem that supports a diverse array of plants and animals, including the iconic bald eagle, white-tailed deer, and over 20 species of reptiles. The park is home to an extensive network of hiking trails, boardwalks, and waterways that allow visitors to explore the park’s bottomland hardwood forest, which is one of the largest in North America. On the other hand, Glacier National Park in Montana is known for its alpine tundra, glaciers, and stunning mountain scenery. Visitors can spot various wild mammals such as the mountain goat, gray wolf, and elk, and over 270 species of birds, including the peregrine falcon and the bald eagle. The park also boasts over 1,000 different plant species, including wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Glacier National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Glacier 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 | Glacier National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Raccoon | Little Brown Bat |
| Black Bear | Deer Mouse |
| Red Fox | Raccoon |
| Mink | Black Bear |
| Common Gray Fox | Porcupine |
| North American River Otter | Silver-Haired Bat |
| White-Tailed Deer | Hoary Bat |
| Virginia Opossum | Red Fox |
| Eastern Red Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| White-Footed Mouse | Mountain Lion |
| Eastern Cottontail | Mink |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | Mule Deer |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Gray Wolf |
| Feral Hog | Long-Legged Bat |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Long-Eared Bat |
| Least Shrew | Badger |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | |
| California Myotis | |
| Snowshoe Hare |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | Glacier National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Ringneck Snake | Common Garter Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Rubber Boa |
| Common Kingsnake |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Glacier 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 | Glacier National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Longnose Sucker |
| Golden Shiner | Fathead Minnow |
| European Carp | Lake Trout |
| Yellow Bullhead | Northern Pike |
| Graceful Catfish | Burbot |
| Black Crappie | Mottled Sculpin |
| Mosquitofish | Slimy Sculpin |
| Brown Bullhead | Longnose Dace |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Glacier National Park
Congaree National Park features a unique and diverse landscape of old growth bottomland hardwood forest, with towering trees, cypress swamps and a meandering river. The park is home to the largest contiguous tract of old growth bottomland hardwoods in the US. The park’s elevated boardwalk provides scenic views of the forest canopy and the Congaree River.
Glacier National Park boasts towering peaks, crystal clear lakes, and glaciers that are rapidly disappearing due to climate change. The park’s famous Going-to-the-Sun Road provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges and valleys, while the Highline Trail offers scenic vistas of the park’s alpine terrain. The park is also home to over 700 miles of hiking trails, offering visitors the chance to explore its diverse and rugged landscape up close.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Glacier National Park
Congaree National Park and Glacier National Park are two popular US National Parks known for their diverse natural beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and rich cultural history. Congaree is famous for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, offering visitors a chance to explore the tallest deciduous trees in the Eastern US via boardwalks and hiking trails. In contrast, Glacier National Park is renowned for its rugged mountains, pristine lakes, and glaciers (which are rapidly disappearing). Visitors to Glacier can enjoy scenic drives along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, boating, and fishing in the park’s many lakes. Both parks offer opportunities for camping, wildlife viewing, and ranger-led programs. However, Congaree is also a bird-watcher’s paradise with over 200 species of birds, while Glacier offers the chance to spot grizzly bears, wolves, and other unique wildlife.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Glacier National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina has a hot and humid subtropical climate with warm, wet summers and mild winters. The park is at its best during the months of October to April, when the weather is dry and comfortable. Visitors during this time can expect cool mornings and warm afternoons with occasional rain showers. On the other hand, Glacier National Park in Montana has a subarctic climate with cold, dry winters and cool, wet summers. The park is best visited during the summer months of June to September, when temperatures are mild and the days are long, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. Winter can bring heavy snow and low visibility, making travel difficult, while spring and fall are transitional seasons with varying weather conditions.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Glacier National Park
Congaree National Park and Glacier National Park both offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, but they differ in terms of accessibility and activities. Congaree is relatively flat, making it easier for families with strollers or wheelchairs to traverse the park’s boardwalks and trails. Glacier has more strenuous terrain, but it also has many ranger-led programs, including campfire talks and Junior Ranger activities, that are geared towards children. Both parks are family-friendly, but Congaree may be better for families with young children or mobility concerns, while Glacier may be better for older children and families looking for more adventure.