“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.