“Explore the wildest of wonders! Congaree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park offer two vastly different experiences of America’s natural beauty. While Congaree boasts of towering old-growth hardwood forests and a vibrant ecosystem, Mesa Verde takes you back in time with its ancient Native American cliff dwellings. Get ready to be enchanted by the majesty of towering trees and the mystery of a bygone civilization. Which one will you choose for your next adventure?”
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts looking for scenic hiking trails. Congaree features over 25 miles of trails, including the 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop which is an easy hike through old-growth bottomland forest. Another easy trail is the Weston Lake Loop at 3.7 miles. For more challenging hikes, visitors can try the Oakridge Trail at 8 miles or the Kingsnake Trail at 10.3 miles. Mesa Verde, on the other hand, has several trails ranging from easy to strenuous, with the Petroglyph Point Trail being one of the easiest at 0.3 miles. For more demanding hikes, the Prater Ridge Trail is 7 miles and the Knife Edge Trail is 4.7 miles with steep elevation changes. Both parks offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape, from Congaree’s towering trees to Mesa Verde’s towering cliffs.
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 Mesa Verde National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroglyph Point Trail | 4184.284 | 131.9784 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cliff Palace Loop Trail | 643.736 | 25.908 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Balcony House Loop Trail | 643.736 | 27.7368 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mesa Verde Point Lookout Trail | 3379.614 | 161.8488 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Soda Canyon Overlook Trail | 1931.208 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mesa Verde National Park Scenic Drive | 24140.1 | 797.9664 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Long House Trail | 3379.614 | 86.868 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Step House Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Knife Edge Trail | 3218.68 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Prater Ridge Trail | 11748.182 | 311.8104 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina is known for its old-growth hardwood forest, with species like oak, cypress, and tupelo. Wildlife in the park includes white-tailed deer, bobcats, river otters, and over 200 species of birds such as barred owls, pileated woodpeckers, and prothonotary warblers.
Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, on the other hand, is known for its ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings and its diverse ecosystem, which includes piñon-juniper woodlands, sagebrush, and wetlands. Wildlife in the park includes mule deer, coyotes, pronghorns, and a variety of bird species such as the peregrine falcon, the common raven, and the red-tailed hawk.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Mesa Verde 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 | Mesa Verde 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 | Black Bear |
| Common Gray Fox | Porcupine |
| North American River Otter | Silver-Haired Bat |
| White-Tailed Deer | Hoary Bat |
| Virginia Opossum | Red Fox |
| Eastern Red Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| White-Footed Mouse | House Mouse |
| Eastern Cottontail | Mountain Lion |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | Mink |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Mule Deer |
| Feral Hog | Gray Fox |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Wolf |
| Least Shrew | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| Badger | |
| Ermine |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Gopher Snake |
| Ringneck Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Racer |
| Common Kingsnake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Mesa Verde 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 | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| European Carp | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Brown Bullhead |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Congaree National Park, located in South Carolina, is well-known for its vast bottomland hardwood forest, the largest in the country. The park boasts towering trees, including loblolly pines and bald cypress, which can reach heights up to 165 feet. Visitors can take a 2.4-mile boardwalk trail to see the forest up close.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, is famous for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, including the Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Spruce Tree House. The park also features mesas, canyons, and valleys with breathtaking views. Hiking trails like the Petroglyph Point Trail offer opportunities to see ancient rock art and explore the natural beauty of the area.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina is known for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, offering opportunities for hiking, fishing, kayaking, bird watching, and ranger-led programs. Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado is well-known for its Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and offers activities like ranger-led tours, hiking, camping, and scenic drives. Both parks offer unique experiences, but Mes Verde is more focused on cultural history and preservation, while Congaree is more focused on nature and wildlife. Both parks draw large crowds for their scenic beauty and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Congaree National Park, located in South Carolina, experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures ranging from the high 80s to low 90s, and mild winters with temperatures ranging from the high 40s to mid 50s. On the other hand, Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, has warm summers with temperatures ranging from the high 60s to low 80s, and cold, snowy winters with temperatures ranging from the mid 20s to low 30s.
The best time to visit Congaree National Park is during the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and there is less rainfall, making it easier to explore the park and its trails. On the other hand, the best time to visit Mesa Verde National Park is during the summer, when the weather is warm and dry, making it easier to explore the park’s ancient cliff dwellings.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Both Congaree and Mesa Verde National Parks offer unique experiences for families. Congaree, with its old-growth forest and easy-to-moderate trails, is a great place for families to explore and learn about the natural world. On the other hand, Mesa Verde provides a glimpse into the lives of ancient indigenous people through its cliff dwellings and well-preserved structures. For families with children, Mesa Verde may be the more educational and engaging choice, offering opportunities to learn about history and indigenous cultures. However, Congaree’s ease of access and less strenuous activities make it a good choice for families with younger children or those who may not have the energy or interest for more strenuous exploration.