“Explore the diverse landscapes of America’s great outdoors with Congaree and Joshua Tree National Parks. While Congaree boasts the tallest deciduous trees in the world, towering over visitors with their grandeur, Joshua Tree offers a unique desert wilderness filled with quirky and sculptural Joshua Trees. Both parks offer a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, with Congaree inviting you to meander through its swampy boardwalks and Joshua Tree beckoning you to hike amongst its towering rock formations. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful, tree-lined refuge or a rugged, sun-soaked adventure, these parks are sure to satisfy. Get ready to experience the beauty of nature, the contrasts of two incredibly diverse environments and leave with memories that will last a lifetime.”
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Joshua Tree National Park in California are both popular destinations for hikers. Congaree is known for its towering old-growth hardwood forest, which can be explored along several trails that range from easy boardwalks to strenuous backcountry routes. The 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop is one of the easiest trails, offering an accessible and scenic journey through the swamp. On the other hand, the 14-mile River Trail is a strenuous hike that takes you deep into the wilderness and requires a backcountry permit. Joshua Tree, in contrast, is famous for its unique rock formations and desert landscapes. The park offers a variety of trails, from easy nature walks to challenging rock scrambles. One of the easiest hikes is the 1-mile nature trail, which winds through the park’s signature Joshua trees. The strenuous 7-mile Ryan Mountain hike, on the other hand, takes you to the summit of one of the park’s tallest peaks for panoramic views of the surrounding 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 Joshua Tree National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Mountain Trail | 4828.02 | 325.8312 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Barker Dam Nature Trail | 2896.812 | 19.812 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hidden Valley Nature Trail | 1609.34 | 34.7472 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Lost Palms Oasis | 11587.248 | 312.7248 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Arch Rock Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 7.9248 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail | 4506.152 | 188.976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail | 11104.446 | 277.9776 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Skull Rock Nature Trail | 2735.878 | 48.768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail | 321.868 | 1.8288 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Willow Hole Trail | 10943.512 | 74.9808 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Congaree National Park is a protected wetland area in South Carolina that is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, river otters, and American alligators. The park also boasts a large concentration of bird species, including woodpeckers, owls, and various species of wading birds. In contrast, Joshua Tree National Park in California is located in a desert environment and is home to various species of reptiles, such as the desert tortoise, rattlesnakes, and Gila monsters. The park is also a popular spot for birdwatching, with species such as the roadrunner, phainopepla, and various species of hawks commonly seen. Both parks feature unique plant communities, with Joshua Tree being home to the eponymous Joshua Trees as well as various species of cacti, while Congaree is home to hardwood forests and various species of swamp plants.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Joshua Tree National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Joshua Tree 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 | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Big Brown Bat | Deer Mouse |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Hoary Bat |
| Raccoon | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Black Bear | House Mouse |
| Red Fox | Cougar |
| Mink | Mule Deer |
| Common Gray Fox | Gray Fox |
| North American River Otter | Long-Legged Myotis |
| White-Tailed Deer | American Badger |
| Virginia Opossum | Californian Myotis |
| Eastern Red Bat | Snowhsoe Hare |
| White-Footed Mouse | Fringed Myotis |
| Eastern Cottontail | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Pallid Bat |
| Feral Hog | Ringtail |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Desert Cottontail |
| Least Shrew | Virginia Opossum |
| Black-Tailed Jackrabbit | |
| Brush Deermouse | |
| Western Spotted Skunk |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Gopher Snake |
| Ringneck Snake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Common Garter Snake | Common Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Common Kingsnake | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Alfalfa Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Monarch | Painted Lady |
| American Painted Lady | Monarch Butterfly |
| Red Admiral | Red Admiral |
| Mourning Cloak | Mourningcloak |
| Cabbage Butterfly | Silvery Blue |
| Checkered Skipper | Variegated Fritillary |
| Variegated Fritillary | Buckeye |
| Buckeye | Gray Hairstreak |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Congaree National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Goldfish |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| European Carp | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Brown Bullhead |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Congaree National Park is famous for its vast old-growth hardwood forest, the largest in the southeastern US, which provides habitat to many rare & endangered species. A highlight is the Boardwalk Loop, a 2.4-mile elevated walkway through the forest. Joshua Tree National Park is famous for its namesake tree species, which are found nowhere else in the world, & unique rock formations. The park offers a diverse landscape of Mojave & Colorado Deserts, with hiking trails to iconic formations like Skull Rock & Hidden Valley.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Congaree National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor recreation. At Congaree, visitors love to explore the park’s old-growth bottomland hardwood forest through kayaking, fishing, and wildlife watching. In contrast, Joshua Tree is known for its unique geological formations, including its signature Joshua trees, and offers activities such as rock climbing, stargazing, and camping. Both parks offer scenic drives and picnic areas, but Congaree also features a boardwalk trail for accessibility. Visitors to Joshua Tree can also enjoy scenic drives through the park, visiting its many desert oases and hiking to hidden rock formations. Another popular activity at Joshua Tree is nature photography, as the park’s unique landscape provides ample opportunities to capture breathtaking images.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina has a hot, humid summer with temperatures ranging from 75°F to 95°F, and mild winters with temperatures ranging from 40°F to 60°F. The best time to visit is in the fall (October/November) or spring (March/April) when temperatures are cooler and the park’s diverse plant life is in bloom.
Joshua Tree National Park in California has a desert climate characterized by hot summers with temperatures ranging from 90°F to 100°F, and mild winters with temperatures ranging from 40°F to 60°F. The best time to visit is during the spring when temperatures are comfortable, and the park’s iconic Joshua trees are in bloom. However, winter can also be a good time to visit as temperatures are mild, and the park’s clear skies provide ideal conditions for stargazing.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
For families with children, Congaree National Park might be the better choice. It has several easy hikes, ranger-led programs, and a boardwalk trail through the forest that provides a unique opportunity to see a variety of plants and animals. Joshua Tree National Park is also family-friendly, but the hiking trails are more challenging, and the landscape is less forgiving for young children. Both parks offer a great opportunity for families to learn about nature and spend quality time together, but Congaree offers a more accessible experience for families with young children.