“Escape to two of nature’s greatest marvels, where towering trees and explosive landscapes collide. Congaree National Park in South Carolina boasts the tallest deciduous trees in the Eastern US, soaring over visitors in its lush and diverse landscape. Meanwhile, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii showcases the power of our planet with its active volcanoes, creating new land as you watch. While these two parks are seemingly worlds apart, they both offer a chance to immerse yourself in natural wonder and leave the hustle and bustle behind.”
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Congaree National Park and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park both offer unique and challenging hiking opportunities. Congaree has the Boardwalk Loop, an easy 2.4-mile hike through old-growth hardwood forest on a raised boardwalk, and the Weston Lake Loop, a moderate 7-mile hike through diverse ecosystems such as bottomland hardwood forest, pine stands, and wetlands. For more experienced hikers, the Kingsnake Trail offers a strenuous 9.7-mile hike through a remote and primitive forest. Hawaii Volcanoes has several easy hikes such as the Crater Rim Trail, a 2-mile trek along the rim of Kilauea Caldera with stunning views, and the Devastation Trail, a short 0.7-mile hike through the aftermath of the 1959 Kilauea Iki eruption. For a more challenging experience, hikers can tackle the strenuous 11-mile round-trip hike to the summit of Mauna Loa, one of the world’s largest volcanoes.
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 Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilauea Iki Trail and Crater Rim Trail | 4828.02 | 209.7024 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Kalapana Lava Viewing | 15288.73 | 196.9008 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Pu’u Huluhulu via Napau Crater Trail | 4023.35 | 94.7928 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Halema���uma���u Steam Bluff and Sulfur Banks | 2092.142 | 24.9936 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Puu Loa Petroglyphs Trail | 1931.208 | 25.908 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Mauna Loa via Observatory Trail and Summit Trail | 20760.486 | 905.8656 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Devastation Trail to Puu Puai Overlook | 1609.34 | 37.7952 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| End of Chain of Craters Road Trail to Lava Viewing | 16576.202 | 130.7592 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Sandalwood (Iliahi) Trail | 1931.208 | 13.716 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Halema’uma’u Trail | 2735.878 | 130.7592 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Congaree NP, a floodplain forest in South Carolina, is home to diverse wildlife like white-tailed deer, squirrels, opossums, armadillos, and beavers. It is also a haven for bird-watchers, with over 200 species of birds like Wood Storks, Swallow-tailed Kites and Prothonotary Warblers. The park is also known for its old-growth hardwood trees and rare plant species like Venus Flytrap and the Hooded Pitcher Plant.
On the other hand, Hawai’i Volcanoes NP, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, has a unique ecosystem with species found nowhere else in the world. Some of the common mammals seen here include Hawaiian hoary bats, Hawaiian monk seals, and the endangered Nene Goose. The park also has a rich birdlife, with species like the Hawaiian Goose, the ‘Apapane, and the ‘I’iwi, and is home to over 400 species of native plants.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Canada Goose |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Great Blue Heron |
| Osprey | Rock Pigeon |
| Tree Swallow | House Sparrow |
| Mallard | Northern Mockingbird |
| Canada Goose | Black-Crowned Night-Heron |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow | Wild Turkey |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Barn Owl |
| American Robin | Cattle Egret |
| Great Horned Owl | Sanderling |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Ring-Necked Pheasant |
| Northern Flicker | Chukar |
| Merlin | Ruddy Turnstone |
| Barn Swallow | Northern Cardinal |
| Savannah Sparrow | California Quail |
| Great Blue Heron | |
| Hermit Thrush | |
| American Kestrel | |
| Bald Eagle | |
| Song Sparrow | |
| European Starling | |
| American Wigeon | |
| Green-Winged Teal | |
| American Pipit |
Mammals
| Congaree National Park | Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | House Mouse |
| American Beaver | Norway Rat |
| Muskrat | ‘Iole |
| Big Brown Bat | Domestic Cattle |
| Bobcat | Feral Hog |
| Striped Skunk | |
| Raccoon | |
| Black Bear | |
| Red Fox | |
| Mink | |
| Common Gray Fox | |
| North American River Otter | |
| White-Tailed Deer | |
| Virginia Opossum | |
| Eastern Red Bat | |
| White-Footed Mouse | |
| Eastern Cottontail | |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | |
| Feral Hog | |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | |
| Least Shrew |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Ringneck Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Common Kingsnake |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park |
|---|---|
| Alfalfa Sulphur | Painted Lady |
| Monarch | Monarch Butterfly |
| American Painted Lady | American Painted Lady |
| Red Admiral | Red Admiral |
| Mourning Cloak | Cabbage White |
| Cabbage Butterfly | Honey Bee |
| Checkered Skipper | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Congaree National Park | Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| European Carp | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Brown Bullhead |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Congaree National Park: Known for its towering old-growth hardwood trees, including Bald Cypress, that form a lush forest canopy, as well as its scenic river, the park is considered a haven for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park: It features two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, which have shaped the landscapes of the park through volcanic eruptions. Visitors can hike through volcanic landscapes, see steam vents, and visit the Thurston Lava Tube.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii are two popular national parks that offer a variety of recreational activities for visitors. Congaree is known for its old-growth hardwood forest and its boardwalk trails, where visitors can observe the park’s diverse plant and animal life. In contrast, Hawai’i Volcanoes is known for its active volcanoes, including Kilauea and Mauna Loa, and its scenic drive through the park. Visitors to Hawai’i Volcanoes can also hike through volcanic craters, witness volcanic eruptions, and explore the park’s rich cultural history. Both parks offer ranger-led programs, wildlife viewing opportunities, and camping facilities, but Congaree also has a unique canoe trail for water-based exploration.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cool winters, with temperatures ranging from an average low of 40°F in January to an average high of 90°F in July. The park experiences significant rainfall throughout the year, with the wettest months being May and June, often resulting in flooded areas of the park.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, has a tropical rainforest climate with warm temperatures year-round, but with a noticeable difference between the dry and wet seasons. Average temperatures range from a low of 60°F in December to a high of 80°F in August. The park experiences high amounts of rainfall from October to April, with the wettest months being December and January.
The best time to visit Congaree National Park is during the winter months when temperatures are cooler and the park is less crowded. However, visitors should be prepared for potential flooding during the spring and summer months. On the other hand, the best time to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is during the drier months from May to September, when the park is less likely to be affected by heavy rainfall and road closures.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Congaree National Park is a great destination for families with young children, offering a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and fishing. On the other hand, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park offers a unique experience with its active volcanoes and lava flows, but may not be as suitable for younger children due to its rugged terrain and potential hazards. Both parks offer educational opportunities and ranger-led programs, though Congaree may offer more age-appropriate activities for families with small children.