Congaree and Isle Royale National Parks are two unique and contrasting destinations for nature enthusiasts. While Congaree boasts towering trees from the bottom of the swamp to the sky, Isle Royale is a rugged, isolated island surrounded by crystal-clear waters of Lake Superior. Both parks offer a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in pristine wilderness, but each has its own distinct character and adventure waiting to be explored. Whether you’re seeking solitude and serenity or adventure and excitement, these two parks are sure to satisfy.
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina features towering old-growth hardwood forests, offering scenic trails with varying difficulty levels. The most accessible hike is the Boardwalk Loop, a 2.4-mile elevated walkway through the swamp forest. On the other hand, the challenging Weston Lake Loop is a strenuous 14-mile trek through remote wilderness areas. Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, on the other hand, offers a unique wilderness experience as it is only accessible by boat or seaplane. The Greenstone Ridge Trail is the park’s longest and most difficult hike, stretching over 40 miles. For a easier hike, the Minong Ridge Trail offers stunning views of Lake Superior and is a relatively flat 6-mile hike.
Both parks offer diverse hiking experiences and unique natural beauty, 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 Isle Royale National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenstone Ridge Trail: Windigo to Tobin Harbor | 63568.93 | 1216.7616 | Hard | point to point | 4 |
| Rainbow Cove Trail | 2253.076 | 21.9456 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
| Malone Bay to Hatchett Lake | 37658.556 | 664.7688 | Moderate | out and back | 0 |
| Ishpeming Trail to Ishpeming Point | 23496.364 | 339.852 | Moderate | out and back | 0 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Congaree & Isle Royale National Parks have unique wildlife and flora that distinguish them from each other. Congaree is known for its diverse array of species including the American alligator, white-tailed deer, bobcat, and various species of reptiles, amphibians and birds like woodpeckers and herons. The park also boasts of towering bald cypress and loblolly pine trees and a thriving understory of ferns, wildflowers and shrubs. In contrast, Isle Royale is an isolated island in Lake Superior, known for its moose population, as well as wolves, beavers, and many migratory birds like loons and eagles. Its vegetation is dominated by boreal forest, composed of spruces and firs, and its shoreline is dotted with wildflowers and ferns. Both parks offer unique experiences to nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Isle Royale National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Isle Royale 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 | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Striped Skunk |
| Striped Skunk | Little Brown Bat |
| Raccoon | Deer Mouse |
| Black Bear | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Red Fox | Hoary Bat |
| Mink | Red Fox |
| Common Gray Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| North American River Otter | Mink |
| White-Tailed Deer | Gray Wolf |
| Virginia Opossum | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Eastern Red Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| White-Footed Mouse | North American River Otter |
| Eastern Cottontail | Canada Lynx |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | Marten |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Moose |
| Feral Hog | Red Bat |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Norway Rat |
| Least Shrew | Southern Red-Backed Vole |
| Northern Long-Eared Bat |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Ringneck Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Common Kingsnake |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Isle Royale 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 | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Coaster Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Brown Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Longnose Sucker |
| European Carp | Harvey Lake Fathead Minnow |
| Yellow Bullhead | Golden Shiner |
| Graceful Catfish | Lake Trout |
| Black Crappie | Northern Pike |
| Mosquitofish | Ellpout |
| Brown Bullhead | Coho Salmon |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Creek Chub |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Congaree National Park is famous for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forests, providing scenic landscape with towering trees and diverse wildlife. Isle Royale National Park is located in Lake Superior, famous for its rugged wilderness landscapes and unique ecosystems, including scenic shorelines, forests, and pristine waterways that support a variety of fish and wildlife.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Congaree and Isle Royale National Parks offer vastly different experiences to visitors. Congaree is known for its old-growth hardwood forest, towering trees, and swampy bottomland, attracting nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. In contrast, Isle Royale is situated on an isolated island in Lake Superior and is favored by backpackers, kayakers, and scuba divers for its rugged wilderness and opportunities for solitude.
Hiking is a popular activity in both parks, with Congaree offering easy boardwalk trails and challenging backcountry hikes, while Isle Royale provides remote backpacking routes and scenic shoreline walks. Both parks also offer camping, with Isle Royale having designated backcountry campsites and Congaree offering frontcountry campsites and backcountry camping permits. Fishing is another popular activity, with Congaree offering opportunities for freshwater fishing and Isle Royale allowing sport fishing for several species of fish in Lake Superior.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Isle Royale National Park in Michigan has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and cool summers with moderate precipitation. The best time of year to visit Congaree is in the spring or fall when temperatures are mild, while Isle Royale is best visited in the summer when temperatures are warmer and there is less snow, making it easier to explore the trails and waterways.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Congaree and Isle Royale National Parks both offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature experiences, but they differ in accessibility and family-friendliness. Congaree is more accessible, with easy hiking trails and a boardwalk that meanders through the park’s old-growth forest. Isle Royale is more remote and accessible only by boat or seaplane, making it less suitable for young children. However, Isle Royale offers opportunities for backcountry camping and wilderness exploration for older kids and families looking for a more rugged adventure. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the age and interests of your children, as well as your family’s preferred style of travel.