Congaree National Park vs Mammoth Cave National Park

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Congaree National Park vs Mammoth Cave National Park

“Imagine exploring two vastly different worlds, where towering trees reach towards the sky in one, and underground labyrinths stretch for miles in the other. Welcome to Congaree and Mammoth Cave National Parks, where adventure awaits at every turn. While Congaree boasts the tallest deciduous forest in the US, with trees up to 150 feet tall, Mammoth Cave is a subterranean wonderland, home to the world’s longest known cave system. Both parks offer unique experiences, but one thing they have in common is the breathtaking beauty that surrounds you in each place. So, pack your hiking boots and join us on a journey to discover the secrets of Congaree and Mammoth Cave National Parks.”

Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park

Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky both offer unique hiking experiences to visitors. Congaree features elevated wooden boardwalks and trails that wind through towering old-growth hardwood forests, while Mammoth Cave boasts a vast underground cave system with miles of trails for visitors to explore. The easiest hike at Congaree is the Boardwalk Loop Trail, a 2.4-mile flat, elevated trail that offers views of the forest canopy. On the other hand, the hardest hike at Congaree is the Weston Lake Loop Trail, a 7.5-mile hike that includes steep inclines and rocky terrain. At Mammoth Cave, the easiest hike is the Frozen Niagara Tour, a 0.5-mile paved trail that leads to a beautiful waterfall formation. The hardest hike is the Wild Cave Tour, a strenuous, off-trail adventure that covers 5 miles and involves crawling, climbing, and rappelling through tight spaces in the cave.

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 Mammoth Cave National Park

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
Green River Bluffs Trail 7242.03 169.7736 Moderate loop 4.5
Cedar Sink Trail 2896.812 70.7136 Easy out and back 4.5
Mammoth Cave National Park Scenic Drive 17541.806 173.736 Easy point to point 4.5
Sinkhole Trail 3862.416 108.8136 Easy out and back 4
Echo River Spring and Sinkhole Loop 4988.954 122.8344 Easy loop 4
Echo River and River Styx Springs Trail 5471.756 129.8448 Easy out and back 4
Sal Hollow and Buffalo Creek Loop Trail 8690.436 100.8888 Easy loop 3.5
Dixon Cave Trail Loop 2414.01 83.82 Easy loop 4
First Creek Lake Trail 5793.624 158.8008 Moderate loop 4
McCoy Hollow Trail 19794.882 434.9496 Hard out and back 4

Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park

Congaree National Park is located in South Carolina and is home to a large variety of wildlife including, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and the Eastern Gray Squirrel. The park also has a diverse array of birds such as the Wood Duck, Woodpeckers, and various species of Hawks. The park is also home to a vast array of plant life including loblolly pines and various species of hardwoods, as well as carnivorous plants like the Venus Flytrap and the Pitcher Plant.

Mammoth Cave National Park, located in Kentucky, is well-known for its caves, but it is also home to a variety of wildlife such as bats, Eastern Gray Squirrels, North American River Otters, and White-tailed Deer. The park is also home to a diverse array of birds such as the Eastern Bluebird, the Wood Duck, and the Barred Owl. The park’s vegetation is abundant with over 140 species of trees and shrubs, and various species of wildflowers and ferns.

Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.

Birds

Congaree National Park Mammoth Cave 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 Mammoth Cave National Park
Coyote Coyote
American Beaver American Beaver
Muskrat Muskrat
Big Brown Bat Big Brown Bat
Bobcat Bobcat
Striped Skunk Striped Skunk
Raccoon Little Brown Bat
Black Bear Deer Mouse
Red Fox Raccoon
Mink Silver-Haired Bat
Common Gray Fox Hoary Bat
North American River Otter Red Fox
White-Tailed Deer Long-Tailed Weasel
Virginia Opossum House Mouse
Eastern Red Bat Mink
White-Footed Mouse Gray Fox
Eastern Cottontail Western Long-Eared Bat
Eastern Fox Squirrel River Otter
Eastern Gray Squirrel Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat
Feral Hog White-Tailed Deer
Northern Short-Tailed Shrew Virginia Opossum
Least Shrew Meadow Vole
Eastern Red Bat
White-Footed Mouse
Norway Rat

Reptiles

Congaree National Park Mammoth Cave National Park
Racer Black Racer
Ringneck Snake Ringneck Snake
Common Garter Snake Eastern Garter Snake
Common Kingsnake Eastern Fence Lizard

Insects

Congaree National Park Mammoth Cave National Park
Alfalfa Sulphur Orange Sulphur
Monarch Commom Wood Nymph
American Painted Lady
Red Admiral
Mourning Cloak
Cabbage Butterfly
Checkered Skipper
Variegated Fritillary
Buckeye
Commom Wood Nymph
Gray Hairstreak

Fish

Congaree National Park Mammoth Cave National Park
Largemouth Bass Rainbow Trout
Green Sunfish Largemouth Bass
Bluegill Green Sunfish
Golden Shiner Bluegill
European Carp Golden Shiner
Yellow Bullhead Common Carp
Graceful Catfish Yellow Bullhead
Black Crappie Channel Catfish
Mosquitofish Black Crappie
Brown Bullhead Black Bullhead
Mosquitofish
Creek Chub
Goldfish
Smallmouth Bass

Amphibians

Congaree National Park Mammoth Cave National Park
Eastern Tiger Salamander
Bullfrog
Wood Frog

Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park

Congaree National Park features the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the US, with towering trees and diverse wildlife. The park’s landscape also includes river swamps and floodplains, offering opportunities for hiking, canoeing, and kayaking.

Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its extensive cave system, which is the longest known in the world. Above ground, visitors can enjoy scenic views of rolling hills and sinkholes, as well as forests, rivers, and streams. The park offers hiking, horseback riding, and camping opportunities, along with ranger-led tours of the caves.

Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park

Congaree National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park both offer unique experiences for visitors. At Congaree, visitors can explore the swampy forest and its diverse wildlife through kayaking and canoeing, fishing, and ranger-led tours. On the other hand, Mammoth Cave is known for its namesake, the world’s longest cave system, which can be explored through ranger-led tours and self-guided walks. In addition to caving, Mammoth Cave also offers opportunities for camping, horseback riding, and scenic drives. Both parks offer a variety of ranger-led programs, including campfire talks, nature walks, and night sky viewing.

Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park

Congaree National Park, located in South Carolina, has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park receives abundant rainfall throughout the year, particularly in the summer months, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. On the other hand, Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The park experiences significant rainfall throughout the year, but the winter months can bring snow and ice making some areas of the park inaccessible. The best time to visit Congaree National Park is in the spring and fall, while the best time to visit Mammoth Cave National Park is in the summer and early fall, when temperatures are warmer and the park is less likely to be impacted by winter weather.

Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park

Congaree National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park both offer plenty of outdoor activities that families can enjoy together. Congaree offers canoeing, kayaking and hiking, while Mammoth Cave has caving, hiking and horseback riding. However, Congaree may be the more family-friendly option, as it has an easier hiking terrain and more opportunities for water activities, which kids often find fun. On the other hand, Mammoth Cave may be a better pick for families who are looking for a unique and educational experience, as the caves offer an opportunity to learn about geology and the ecosystem that exists underground.

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