Congaree National Park vs Great Basin National Park

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Congaree National Park vs Great Basin National Park

“Get ready to embark on a journey to explore two of the most diverse and contrasting national parks in the U.S, Congaree and Great Basin. From the towering old-growth trees of Congaree to the stunning night sky of Great Basin, these two parks are sure to leave you in awe of nature’s beauty. With Congaree’s swampy landscape, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the primeval forest, while Great Basin’s rugged terrain will transport you to another world altogether. Whether you’re a nature lover, a hiker, or just seeking a peaceful escape, these two parks offer something for everyone. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and let’s dive in to discover the wonders of Congaree and Great Basin National Parks!”

Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Great Basin National Park

Congaree National Park and Great Basin National Park both offer unique and diverse hiking experiences. In Congaree, the boardwalk loop is an easy and popular trail that meanders through the old-growth hardwood forest and offers views of the towering trees and swamp ecosystem. On the other hand, the Weston Lake loop is a strenuous hike that rewards with scenic views of the park’s backcountry. In Great Basin, the Bristlecone Pine Trail is a must-do, easy hike that takes you through a grove of ancient bristlecone pines, some over 4,000 years old. For more challenging hikes, the Wheeler Peak trail offers a strenuous climb to the tallest point in Nevada, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and desert.

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 Great Basin National Park

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
Wheeler Peak Trail via Stella Lake Trail 13196.588 885.7488 Hard out and back 5
Bristlecone Pine Glacier Trail 7242.03 322.7832 Moderate out and back 4.5
Alpine Lakes Trail 4345.218 142.9512 Easy loop 4.5
Lehman Cave 643.736 13.716 Easy loop 4.5
Bristlecone and Alpine Lakes Loop 8529.502 308.7624 Moderate loop 4.5
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive 37497.622 1175.9184 Easy out and back 4.5
Baker Lake Trail 16737.136 813.816 Hard out and back 4.5
Teresa Lake 2414.01 92.964 Moderate out and back 5
Baker Lake-Johnson Lake Loop 20760.486 1330.7568 Hard loop 4.5
Lexington Arch Trail 4667.086 340.7664 Moderate out and back 4

Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Great Basin National Park

Congaree National Park, South Carolina is known for its diverse and abundant wildlife, including white-tailed deer, river otters, and wood ducks. The park is also a great place to see a variety of bird species, such as pileated woodpeckers, prothonotary warblers, and Swainson’s Warblers. On the other hand, Great Basin National Park, Nevada is famous for its unique and varied wildlife, including pronghorns, mountain lions, and sage grouse. The park’s high elevation and isolated location also make it an ideal place to observe migratory bird species like the white-crowned sparrow and the Clark’s Nutcracker. Additionally, Congaree is known for its towering loblolly pines, while Great Basin is renowned for its ancient bristlecone pine forests.

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

Birds

Congaree National Park Great Basin 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 Great Basin 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 Porcupine
Common Gray Fox Silver-Haired Bat
North American River Otter Hoary Bat
White-Tailed Deer Red Fox
Virginia Opossum Long-Tailed Weasel
Eastern Red Bat House Mouse
White-Footed Mouse Lion
Eastern Cottontail Mink
Eastern Fox Squirrel Mule Deer
Eastern Gray Squirrel Gray Fox
Feral Hog Gray Wolf
Northern Short-Tailed Shrew Long-Legged Myotis
Least Shrew Long-Eared Myotis
Badger
Ermine
Californis Myotis

Reptiles

Congaree National Park Great Basin National Park
Racer Racer
Ringneck Snake Greater Short-Horned Lizard
Common Garter Snake Rubber Boa
Common Kingsnake Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard
Eastern Collared Lizard
Eastern Fence Lizard
Long-Nosed Snake
Desert Spiny Lizard
Western Fence Lizard

Insects

Congaree National Park Great Basin National Park
Alfalfa Sulphur Orange Sulphur
Monarch Painted Lady
American Painted Lady Monarch Butterfly
Red Admiral American Painted Lady
Mourning Cloak Red Admiral
Cabbage Butterfly Mourningcloak
Checkered Skipper Cabbage White
Variegated Fritillary Silvery Blue
Buckeye Common Checkered-Skipper
Commom Wood Nymph Clouded Sulphur
Gray Hairstreak Commom Wood Nymph
Purplish Copper
Anise Swallowtail
Gray Hairstreak

Fish

Congaree National Park Great Basin National Park
Largemouth Bass Rainbow Trout
Green Sunfish Brook Trout
Bluegill Brown Trout
Golden Shiner Mottled Sculpin
European Carp Speckled Dace
Yellow Bullhead Cutthroat Trout
Graceful Catfish
Black Crappie
Mosquitofish
Brown Bullhead

Amphibians

Congaree National Park Great Basin National Park
Tiger Salamander
Woodhouse’s Toad
Red-Spotted Toad
Canyon Treefrog

Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Great Basin National Park

Congaree National Park is famous for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest and diverse plant and animal life. Visitors can explore the park on elevated boardwalks and hiking trails to see towering trees, unique flora, and an array of wildlife.

Great Basin National Park is known for its stunning natural features, including the 13,063-foot high Wheeler Peak, ancient bristlecone pines, and the Lehman Caves. The park offers opportunities for hiking, camping, and stargazing.

Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Great Basin National Park

Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Great Basin National Park in Nevada have unique features that attract visitors to each park. Congaree National Park is known for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest and is a popular destination for bird watching, camping, kayaking, and fishing. Great Basin National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its ancient bristlecone pines, scenic drives, and cave tours. Visitors also enjoy stargazing at Great Basin due to its remote location and lack of light pollution. Both parks offer ranger-led programs and a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors to explore and connect with nature.

Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Great Basin National Park

Congaree National Park in South Carolina experiences warm, humid summers and cool, wet winters, with average temperatures ranging from 70°F to 90°F in the summer and 30°F to 60°F in the winter. Great Basin National Park in Nevada has a much drier climate, with hot summers and cold winters, and average temperatures ranging from 80°F to 90°F in the summer and 20°F to 40°F in the winter. The best time to visit Congaree is from late fall to early spring, when temperatures are mild and the swamp is filled with water, making it a beautiful place to explore. The best time to visit Great Basin is in the summer, when the weather is warm and the park’s famous dark skies are at their best for stargazing.

Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Great Basin National Park

Congaree National Park and Great Basin National Park are both family-friendly, but offer different experiences. Congaree is known for its old-growth forest and boardwalk trails, which are easy to navigate and provide a unique perspective of the swamp ecosystem. Great Basin, on the other hand, boasts scenic hiking trails, groves of ancient bristlecone pines, and the opportunity to stargaze in some of the darkest skies in the country. If you’re traveling with children, Congaree might be the better option for its accessibility and unique environment, while Great Basin offers a more traditional park experience.

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