Congaree and Lassen Volcanic National Parks are two distinct and unique destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. While Congaree boasts towering trees and lush swamp forests, Lassen offers a dynamic landscape of volcanic wonders and geothermal features. Whether you’re in the mood for a peaceful stroll through the forest or an adventurous hike to the top of a volcano, these parks have something for everyone. So pack your bags, grab your hiking shoes, and get ready to experience the beauty and diversity of these two magnificent parks!
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Congaree National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park both offer unique and diverse hiking experiences. Congaree has the Boardwalk Loop, an easy 2.4-mile trail that takes you through the lush forest canopy and over the swamp boardwalk. For a more challenging hike, consider the Weston Lake Loop, a 7.7-mile trail that takes you through the forest, over bridges and up hills for scenic views. Lassen Volcanic, on the other hand, has the popular 2.5-mile trail to Bumpass Hell, a thermal area with colorful pools and steam vents. For a strenuous hike, try the Lassen Peak trail, a 5.4-mile hike to the top of the park’s largest volcano, with panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness.
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 Lassen Volcanic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lassen Peak | 8207.634 | 599.8464 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Kings Creek Falls Trail | 4345.218 | 143.8656 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cinder Cone Nature Trail | 7724.832 | 317.9064 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Brokeoff Mountain Trail | 12230.984 | 786.9936 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Mill Creek Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 237.744 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Manzanita Lake Loop | 3057.746 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Devil’s Kitchen Trail | 7402.964 | 187.7568 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chaos Crags Trail | 6437.36 | 301.752 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cluster Lakes Loop Trail | 16737.136 | 451.7136 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Boiling Springs Lake Loop Trail | 3701.482 | 75.8952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Lassen Volcanic National Park in California have different ecosystems, leading to diverse wildlife. Congaree is home to a variety of animals such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, river otters, and American alligators. Birdwatching is also popular in the park with species such as pileated woodpeckers, Carolina wrens, and prothonotary warblers. The park also boasts a diverse range of plant life including loblolly pines, bald cypress, and tupelos.
On the other hand, Lassen Volcanic National Park is known for its volcanic activity and geothermal features, which supports unique wildlife. Commonly seen animals include black bears, mountain lions, and mule deer. Birdlife includes Steller’s jays, Clark’s nutcracks, and mountain chickadees. The park also has a variety of plant life including mountain hemlocks, red firs, and lodgepole pines.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Lassen Volcanic 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 | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | American Beaver |
| American Beaver | Muskrat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Big Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Bobcat | Raccoon |
| Striped Skunk | Black Bear |
| Raccoon | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Black Bear | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mink | Mountain Lion |
| Common Gray Fox | Mink |
| North American River Otter | Mule Deer |
| White-Tailed Deer | Gray Fox |
| Virginia Opossum | Wolf |
| Eastern Red Bat | Long-Eared Myotis |
| White-Footed Mouse | Snowshoe Hare |
| Eastern Cottontail | Fringed Myotis |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Yuma Myotis |
| Feral Hog | Bighorn Sheep |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Montane Shrew |
| Least Shrew | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Ringtail | |
| Virginia Opossum | |
| Wolverine |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Gopher Snake |
| Ringneck Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Racer |
| Common Kingsnake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Alfalfa Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Monarch | Painted Lady |
| American Painted Lady | Monarch Butterfly |
| Red Admiral | American Painted Lady |
| Mourning Cloak | Common Checkered-Skipper |
| Cabbage Butterfly | Honey Bee |
| Checkered Skipper | Buckeye |
| Variegated Fritillary | Anise Swallowtail |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Congaree National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Brown Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Fathead Minnow |
| European Carp | Golden Shiner |
| Yellow Bullhead | Silver Salmon |
| Graceful Catfish | King Salmon |
| Black Crappie | Mottled Sculpin |
| Mosquitofish | Speckled Dace |
| Brown Bullhead | Brown Bullhead |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Congaree National Park is famous for its towering old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, which is home to many species of wildlife and provides opportunities for hiking, camping, and kayaking. Lassen Volcanic National Park is known for its geothermal activity, including bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and hot springs, as well as its snow-capped Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world. The park offers opportunities for hiking, backpacking, and snowshoeing, as well as scenic drives to see its volcanic features.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina is famous for its old-growth hardwood forest and boardwalk trails, where visitors can enjoy scenic views, wildlife observation, and kayaking/canoeing in Cedar Creek. In contrast, Lassen Volcanic National Park in California is known for its volcanic landscapes, hot springs, and hydrothermal areas, such as Bumpass Hell, where visitors can explore geothermal features and go hiking and camping. Both parks offer ranger-led programs and scenic drives, but Lassen has a higher concentration of backcountry opportunities and challenging hikes, while Congaree is ideal for bird-watching and peaceful nature walks.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina is hot and humid in the summer, with temperatures reaching up to 95°F, and mild in the winter with occasional snow or frost. Lassen Volcanic National Park in California experiences cold, snowy winters with average temperatures in the 20s, and warm, dry summers with temperatures in the 70s. The best time to visit Congaree is in the winter or spring, when temperatures are cooler and the park’s lush vegetation is thriving. Lassen is best visited in the summer, when snow has melted and visitors can hike to the park’s iconic volcanic features.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Both Congaree and Lassen Volcanic National Parks offer opportunities for family-friendly outdoor recreation, but they offer different experiences. Congaree has a 2.4-mile boardwalk trail that winds through its old-growth forest, providing an easy and accessible way for families to explore the park’s unique ecosystem. In contrast, Lassen Volcanic has a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous, including the popular Bumpass Hell trail, which takes visitors through a geothermal area. For families with children, Congaree may be the better choice due to its accessibility and shorter trails, while Lassen Volcanic may be better suited for families with older children or teenagers who are comfortable with more strenuous activities.