Congaree and Kenai Fjords are two of America’s most breathtaking national parks, but they couldn’t be more different! While Congaree boasts the tallest deciduous trees in the world and a lush forest canopy, Kenai is famous for its glaciers and abundant wildlife. Whether you’re an adventurous hiker or a nature photographer, these two parks offer a unique set of challenges and opportunities for visitors. So grab your hiking boots and your camera, and get ready to explore two of America’s most diverse and beautiful areas!
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Congaree National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park offer different hiking experiences. Congaree is known for its lush forest trails and towering trees, with some of the easiest hikes including the Boardwalk Loop and Oak Ridge Trail, both of which are suitable for families and offer scenic views. On the other hand, the hardest hikes in Congaree include the River trail, which is a strenuous 10-mile hike that takes you through the heart of the park’s backcountry.
Kenai Fjords, on the other hand, offers a more rugged and challenging hiking experience, with glaciers, fjords, and wildlife as the main attractions. Some of the easiest hikes at Kenai Fjords include the Exit Glacier Nature Trail and the Harding Icefield Trail, which provide stunning views of the park’s glaciers. The hardest hike in Kenai Fjords is the St. Peter’s Dome hike, which is a strenuous 11-mile hike that takes you to the top of a mountain with panoramic views of the park and the surrounding area.
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 Kenai Fjords National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina is known for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest and diverse wildlife. Visitors can see white-tailed deer, river otters, bobcats, and other mammals. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 200 species, including the Swainson’s warbler, prothonotary warbler, and wood duck. The forest also supports a diverse plant community, including giant loblolly pine, sweetgum, and bald cypress.
Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska is famous for its glaciers and marine wildlife. Common sightings include humpback whales, sea lions, harbor seals, and porpoises. The park also attracts birdwatchers, with over 300 species, including the puffin, cormorant, and bald eagle. On land, visitors may see black bears, moose, and mountain goats. The park’s plant life is limited due to the harsh climate, with vegetation consisting mainly of mosses, lichens, and low-growing shrubs.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Kenai Fjords 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 | Bald Eagle |
| Bald Eagle | Song Sparrow |
| Song Sparrow | European Starling |
| European Starling | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Pipit | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Congaree National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Raccoon | Red Fox |
| Black Bear | Mink |
| Red Fox | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Mink | Gray Wolf |
| Common Gray Fox | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| North American River Otter | California Myotis |
| White-Tailed Deer | Snowshoe Hare |
| Virginia Opossum | Northern River Otter |
| Eastern Red Bat | Masked Shrew |
| White-Footed Mouse | Red Squirrel |
| Eastern Cottontail | Montane Shrew |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | Lynx |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Wolverine |
| Feral Hog | American Marten |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Least Shrew | Brown Bear |
| Meadow Mouse | |
| Moose | |
| Pygmy Shrew |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Ringneck Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Common Kingsnake |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Kenai Fjords 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 | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Bluegill | Burbot |
| Golden Shiner | Silver Salmon |
| European Carp | Chinook Salmon |
| Yellow Bullhead | Slimy Sculpin |
| Graceful Catfish | Threespine Stickleback |
| Black Crappie | Red Salmon |
| Mosquitofish | Pink Salmon |
| Brown Bullhead | Chum Salmon |
| Dolly Varden |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Congaree National Park is famous for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest that covers over 26,000 acres and provides habitat for diverse wildlife. Notable landscapes include the elevated boardwalk trail through the forest, Weston Lake, and Cedar Creek, which offers a scenic canoe trail.
At Kenai Fjords National Park, visitors can admire stunning fjords, glaciers, and wildlife such as whales, sea otters, and sea lions. The park’s main attraction is the Harding Icefield, a massive icefield stretching over 700 square miles and visible from the Exit Glacier area. The park also offers opportunities for kayaking, hiking and boat tours to see glaciers up close.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Congaree National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are two popular US national parks that offer a wide range of activities for visitors. At Congaree, visitors enjoy exploring the park’s diverse ecosystem, including its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, on guided walks and kayak trips, as well as camping and fishing in the park’s backcountry. On the other hand, Kenai Fjords is best known for its breathtaking glaciers, which visitors can observe up-close on boat tours, as well as its abundant wildlife, including whales, sea lions, and puffins. Visitors to Kenai Fjords also enjoy fishing and hiking, but the park’s highlight is definitely its glaciers. Both parks offer a unique and memorable experience for nature enthusiasts, but Congaree may be better for those interested in forest environments, while Kenai Fjords is a must-visit for those interested in glaciers and marine wildlife.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Congaree National Park, located in South Carolina, has a warm and humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park experiences heavy rainfall, with its wettest months being from April to October. The best time to visit Congaree National Park is during the winter months, when temperatures are cool and rainfall is low.
Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, has a subarctic climate with cool summers and cold winters. The park experiences high amounts of precipitation throughout the year, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in the months of October through April. The best time to visit Kenai Fjords National Park is during the summer months, when temperatures are mild and there is less rainfall.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Congaree National Park is considered more family-friendly than Kenai Fjords National Park. Congaree offers hiking trails, ranger-led programs, and a boardwalk for an accessible nature experience. Meanwhile, Kenai Fjords is a rugged wilderness with glaciers, boat tours, and challenging hikes, making it less suitable for families with young children. If traveling with children, Congaree is the better choice, offering a chance to immerse in nature while catering to a wider range of ages and abilities.