Congaree and New River Gorge National Parks are like fraternal twins, sharing a family resemblance yet offering vastly different experiences. Imagine standing amidst the tallest deciduous trees in North America at Congaree, surrounded by a symphony of swamp sounds, while at New River Gorge, you can peer down from soaring overlooks at one of the oldest rivers in the world carving through the Appalachian Mountains. Both parks offer unique opportunities for adventure, whether it’s kayaking, hiking, or bird watching. So grab your binoculars, lace up your boots, and get ready for a wild ride through two of America’s most diverse national parks.
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Congaree and New River Gorge are both excellent destinations for hiking, but they offer different experiences. Congaree is known for its lush, old-growth bottomland hardwood forest and towering trees, while New River Gorge showcases dramatic rock formations and scenic vistas. Some of the easiest hikes at Congaree include the Boardwalk Loop and Oakridge Trail, both of which are flat and accessible for all skill levels. On the other hand, New River Gorge has several beginner-friendly trails, such as the Long Point Trail and the Endless Wall Trail, which offer breathtaking views of the New River Gorge Bridge. For more experienced hikers, Congaree offers challenging hikes like the Weston Lake Loop, while New River Gorge has strenuous hikes like the Kaymoor Trail and the Nuttall Trail, which take you to the top of the gorge for panoramic views.
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 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tolmie Peak Trail | 8851.37 | 463.9056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Skyline Trail | 8529.502 | 535.8384 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Comet and Christine Falls | 6920.162 | 610.8192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Camp Muir Route Via Skyline Trail | 13518.456 | 1403.9088 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail | 15127.796 | 780.8976 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Naches Peak Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 193.8528 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spray Park Trail to Mount Pleasant | 11104.446 | 635.8128 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Fremont Lookout Trail | 9012.304 | 348.996 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail | 3862.416 | 321.8688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Summerland Trail | 13196.588 | 655.9296 | Moderate | out and back | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Congaree National Park in South Carolina and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia both offer unique wildlife experiences. Congaree is known for its diverse forest ecosystem, including loblolly and tupelo trees, which provide habitat for animals such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, and otters. Birdwatchers can look for species such as pileated woodpeckers, owls, and prothonotary warblers. New River Gorge is home to black bear, white-tailed deer, and river otters, with bird species like the golden eagle, scarlet tanager, and cerulean warbler. The park also has a large population of bats, including the endangered Indiana bat. Both parks offer opportunities to see a variety of plants, from the hardwood forests of Congaree to the rugged cliffs and rocky outcroppings of New River Gorge.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Great Horned Owl |
| American Robin | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Great Horned Owl | Barn Swallow |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Savannah Sparrow |
| Northern Flicker | Great Blue Heron |
| Merlin | Hermit Thrush |
| Barn Swallow | European Starling |
| Savannah Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
| Great Blue Heron | American Wigeon |
| Hermit Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Kestrel | American Pipit |
| Bald Eagle | Killdeer |
| Song Sparrow | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
| European Starling | Hairy Woodpecker |
| American Wigeon | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
| Green-Winged Teal | White-Crowned Sparrow |
| American Pipit | Northern Shoveler |
Mammals
| Congaree National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Eastern Red Bat | House Mouse |
| White-Footed Mouse | Mountain Lion |
| Eastern Cottontail | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | Wolf |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Feral Hog | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Ermine |
| Least Shrew | California Myotis |
| Snowshoe Hare | |
| North American River Otter | |
| Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Ringneck Snake | Common Garter Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Rubber Boa |
| Common Kingsnake |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Alfalfa Sulphur | Mourning Cloak |
| Monarch | Cabbage White |
| American Painted Lady | Silvery Blue |
| Red Admiral | Purplish Copper |
| Mourning Cloak | Anise Swallowtail |
| Cabbage Butterfly | |
| Checkered Skipper | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Congaree National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Eastern Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Brown Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Coho Salmon |
| European Carp | Chinook Salmon |
| Yellow Bullhead | Mottled Sculpin |
| Graceful Catfish | Slimy Sculpin |
| Black Crappie | Threespine Stickleback |
| Mosquitofish | Kokanee |
| Brown Bullhead | Pink Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Congaree National Park is famous for its bottomland hardwood forest, which is the largest intact example in the southeastern US. The park also has several creeks and rivers, as well as a boardwalk that offers views of the forest canopy.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is famous for its namesake river and the New River Gorge Bridge, which is the longest steel arch bridge in the Americas. The park also has scenic overlooks and hiking trails that offer views of the gorge, as well as opportunities for rock climbing, white-water rafting, and other outdoor activities.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Congaree National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offer unique experiences to visitors. At Congaree, people love to explore the swampy bottomlands by canoeing or kayaking, take guided ranger walks, or simply enjoy the stunning scenery of towering old-growth trees along the boardwalk. On the other hand, New River Gorge is a popular destination for rock climbing, white-water rafting, and scenic drives offering breathtaking views of the gorge. Additionally, both parks offer camping options, fishing and picnicking opportunities. However, Congaree’s focus on preserving its old-growth hardwood forest and New River Gorge’s emphasis on adventure recreation set them apart from each other, making them appealing to different types of visitors.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Congaree National Park: The park experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures average in the high 80s to low 90s while winter temperatures average in the mid 50s to mid 60s. Rainfall is abundant year-round with the wettest months being April to June and September to November. The hot, humid weather and high rainfall make summer a popular time to visit, however, the lush vegetation and floodplain forest are at their best during the wetter months of spring and fall.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve: The park experiences a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures average in the high 80s to low 90s while winter temperatures average in the mid 30s to mid 40s. Rainfall is abundant year-round with the wettest months being April to June and September to November. The cooler, drier weather in the winter months can be ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking and rock climbing, but the park is also popular for its autumn foliage in the fall months.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Both Congaree National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are family-friendly, but each park offers different experiences. Congaree National Park is known for its towering old-growth hardwood trees, hiking trails, and canoeing opportunities. It is a great destination for families who enjoy nature and outdoor recreation. New River Gorge is a destination for adventure-seekers, with opportunities for rock climbing, white-water rafting, and hiking. It is also home to a historic bridge and a visitor center with exhibits and ranger-led activities. For families seeking a mix of outdoor adventure and educational opportunities, New River Gorge might be the better choice.