Congaree National Park vs Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Congaree National Park vs Great Smoky Mountains National Park

“Imagine standing amidst towering trees that soar towards the sky, or being surrounded by rolling hills blurred by a smoky haze. These are just some of the breathtaking sights you can experience at Congaree and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. Both parks offer unique landscapes and outdoor adventures, but with different terrains and ecosystems. Whether you’re a hiker, camper, nature lover, or just seeking a peaceful escape, both parks are sure to leave you in awe and satisfy your wanderlust. So pack your bags, grab your hiking boots, and get ready to explore two of the most stunning national parks in the country.”

Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Congaree National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors, ranging from easy walks to strenuous backcountry adventures. Congaree features mostly flat trails, including the 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop, which offers scenic views of the park’s unique floodplain forest and is one of the easiest hikes. On the other hand, the most challenging hike in Congaree is the 7.4-mile Weston Lake Loop, which takes visitors through the park’s swampy wilderness. Great Smoky Mountains National Park boasts over 800 miles of trails, including some of the most popular hikes in the country. One of the easiest hikes in the park is the 1.9-mile Clingmans Dome Trail, while the strenuous Alum Cave Trail, which is 5 miles round trip, is considered one of the hardest. Both parks offer a variety of experiences for hikers, from scenic walks to challenging backcountry adventures, making them popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts.

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 Smoky Mountains National Park

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte 17219.938 916.8384 Hard out and back 5
Chimney Tops Trail 5793.624 392.8872 Hard out and back 4.5
Rainbow Falls Trail 8851.37 503.8344 Moderate out and back 4.5
Grotto Falls Trail 4184.284 162.7632 Moderate out and back 4.5
Laurel Falls Trail 3862.416 120.7008 Easy out and back 4
Abrams Falls Trail 7885.766 191.7192 Moderate out and back 4.5
Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail 1931.208 100.8888 Easy out and back 4.5
Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail 13840.324 603.8088 Moderate out and back 4.5
Ramsey Cascades Trail 13035.654 677.8752 Hard out and back 4.5
Peregrine Peak via Alum Cave Bluffs Trail 6759.228 322.7832 Moderate out and back 5

Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Congaree and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks both offer unique wildlife experiences. Congaree is home to a wide variety of animals such as river otters, alligators, white-tailed deer, and over 200 species of birds, including woodpeckers, owls, and wading birds. In contrast, Great Smoky Mountains is known for its diversity of plants and animals, including black bears, elk, and over 200 species of birds, such as warblers, thrushes, and vireos. Additionally, the Smokies boast an array of wildflowers and over 100 species of native trees. Both parks offer opportunities for wildlife viewing and provide habitats for species that are unique to the region.

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

Birds

Congaree National Park Great Smoky Mountains 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 Smoky Mountains 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 House Mouse
Eastern Cottontail Panther (Mountain Lion)
Eastern Fox Squirrel Mink
Eastern Gray Squirrel Gray Fox
Feral Hog Gray Wolf
Northern Short-Tailed Shrew Snowshoe Hare
Least Shrew River Otter
Masked Shrew
Water Shrew
Red Squirrel

Reptiles

Congaree National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Racer
Ringneck Snake
Common Garter Snake
Common Kingsnake

Insects

Congaree National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Alfalfa Sulphur Orange Sulphur
Monarch Painted Lady
American Painted Lady Monarch
Red Admiral American Painted Lady
Mourning Cloak Red Admiral
Cabbage Butterfly Mourning Cloak
Checkered Skipper Cabbage White
Variegated Fritillary Silvery Blue
Buckeye Common Checkered Skipper
Commom Wood Nymph Common Sulphur
Gray Hairstreak Honey Bee
Variegated Fritillary
Buckeye
Commom Wood Nymph
Gray Hairstreak

Fish

Congaree National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Largemouth Bass Rainbow Trout
Green Sunfish Brook Trout
Bluegill Brown Trout
Golden Shiner Largemouth Bass
European Carp Green Sunfish
Yellow Bullhead Bluegill
Graceful Catfish Common Carp
Black Crappie Longnose Dace
Mosquitofish Yellow Bullhead
Brown Bullhead Channel Catfish
Black Crappie
Black Bullhead
Mosquitofish
Creek Chub
Goldfish
Smallmouth Bass

Amphibians

Congaree National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Northern Leopard Frog
American Bullfrog
Wood Frog

Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Congaree National Park is known for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest and towering trees, including the tallest loblolly pine and bald cypress in the world. Visitors can hike or canoe through the park to see these natural wonders as well as the Congaree River.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park boasts diverse landscapes including lush forests, rolling hills, and scenic drives with breathtaking views. The park is particularly famous for its spring wildflowers, the synchronous fireflies in the summer, and the vibrant fall foliage. Hikers can enjoy over 800 miles of trails and visitors can also drive to scenic overlooks for panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains.

Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Congaree National Park is a floodplain forest located in South Carolina, while Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles Tennessee and North Carolina. Both parks offer scenic drives, camping, and ranger-led programs. Congaree is known for its towering old-growth trees and opportunities for kayaking and fishing in the park’s waterways. The Smoky Mountains, on the other hand, offer a wider range of activities including horseback riding, and historic structures such as cabins and churches. Additionally, the Smokies are home to diverse wildlife including black bears, elk, and wild boars which visitors can observe from designated overlooks. Both parks offer unique experiences, with Congaree offering a serene, ancient forest atmosphere and the Smoky Mountains offering a more diverse range of activities and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Congaree National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two popular national parks located in the United States. Congaree is in South Carolina and Smoky Mountains is in Tennessee and North Carolina. Congaree has a humid subtropical climate with hot and humid summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall throughout the year. The best time to visit Congaree is from fall to spring as the cooler temperatures make outdoor activities more enjoyable. On the other hand, Great Smoky Mountains have a temperate climate with cool summers and cold winters. Winter can bring snow and ice making some trails and roads impassable. The best time to visit Smoky Mountains is from late spring to early fall when outdoor activities are more accessible.

Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is generally considered more family-friendly than Congaree National Park. Smoky Mountains offers a wider range of activities for families such as hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, horseback riding and junior ranger programs. On the other hand, Congaree National Park is more suited for nature enthusiasts and bird-watchers, with its swamp and old-growth forest habitats. However, Congaree does have several trails that are easy to hike, as well as ranger-led programs. In conclusion, if you are traveling with children, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a better option as it offers a wider range of activities.

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