“Get ready to escape to the great outdoors and discover two of America’s hidden gems – Congaree National Park and North Cascades National Park! While both parks offer breathtaking scenic views, they are as different as night and day. Congaree National Park boasts the tallest deciduous forest in the world, with towering trees reaching up to 160 feet. Meanwhile, North Cascades National Park is home to rugged peaks, glaciers, and crystal-clear alpine lakes. Whether you’re a nature lover seeking serenity or an adrenaline junkie craving adventure, these two parks have something for everyone. So pack your bags and let’s embark on a journey to explore the beauty and diversity of these two incredible national parks!”
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and North Cascades National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina and North Cascades National Park in Washington State both offer unique hiking experiences. Congaree has the longest boardwalk trail in the National Park System, the 2.4 mile Boardwalk Loop, which provides a leisurely hike through old-growth bottomland hardwood forest. For more challenging hikes, the Weston Lake Loop, a 9.3 mile trail, takes hikers through diverse ecosystems including wetlands, hardwoods, and pine forests. North Cascades, on the other hand, has over 500 miles of trails that range from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes is the 1.5 mile Diablo Lake Trail that offers stunning views of the glistening turquoise waters of Diablo Lake. For a more strenuous hike, the 8.2 mile Cascade Pass Trail leads to a high mountain pass with panoramic views of the North Cascades.
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 North Cascades National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lake Trail | 8529.502 | 291.9984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail | 17541.806 | 1175.9184 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sourdough Mountain Trail | 14644.994 | 1555.6992 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail to Cottonwood Camp | 25588.506 | 1422.8064 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail | 10460.71 | 542.8488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sahale Arm Trail to Quien Sabe Glacier | 19955.816 | 1651.7112 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk | 3057.746 | 21.9456 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Fourth of July Pass via Panther Creek Trail | 14966.862 | 759.8664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Ruby Mountain Summit via Fourth of July and Thunder Creek Trail | 23335.43 | 1949.8056 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
| Gorge Creek Falls Trail | 804.67 | 11.8872 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and North Cascades National Park
Congaree & North Cascades are both renowned for their diverse wildlife. Congaree is home to numerous species of reptiles, amphibians, and mammals like alligators, river otters, and white-tailed deer. It also boasts a rich birdlife, with species like the prothonotary warbler and the Swainson’s warbler. The park is also famous for its large variety of plants like bald cypress, tupelo gum, and loblolly pine. North Cascades, on the other hand, is known for its alpine and subalpine ecosystems, harboring species like mountain goats, marmots, and black bears. It’s also a prime destination for birdwatching, with over 200 species including the American dipper and the golden eagle. The park is also home to diverse vegetation like huckleberries, hemlocks, and alpine wildflowers.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and North Cascades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | North Cascades 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 | 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 | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Pipit | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Congaree National Park | North Cascades 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 | Puma |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | Mink |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Feral Hog | Wolf |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Least Shrew | Western Long-Eared Bat |
| Ermine | |
| California Myotis | |
| Snowshoe Hare |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Ringneck Snake | Western Yellowbelly Racer |
| Common Garter Snake | Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Common Kingsnake | Common Garter Snake |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Alfalfa Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Monarch | Painted Lady |
| American Painted Lady | Red Admiral |
| Red Admiral | Mourning Cloak |
| Mourning Cloak | Silvery Blue |
| Cabbage Butterfly | Clouded Sulphur |
| Checkered Skipper | Honey Bee |
| Variegated Fritillary | Purplish Copper |
| Buckeye | Anise Swallowtail |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Congaree National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Largemouth Bass |
| Golden Shiner | Longnose Sucker |
| European Carp | Lake Trout |
| Yellow Bullhead | Burbot |
| Graceful Catfish | Silver Salmon |
| Black Crappie | King Salmon |
| Mosquitofish | Slimy Sculpin |
| Brown Bullhead | Longnose Dace |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Kokanee | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and North Cascades National Park
Congaree National Park, located in South Carolina, is known for its old-growth hardwood forest and the Congaree River. The park features towering trees, such as loblolly pine and bald cypress, that provide habitat for diverse wildlife and offer stunning vistas. The boardwalk trail offers an easy stroll through the forest, providing close-up views of the towering trees and their lush canopy.
North Cascades National Park, located in Washington, is home to rugged and beautiful mountain ranges, glaciers, and alpine lakes. The park offers scenic drives, challenging hikes, and backcountry camping opportunities, including the Cascade Pass Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks, glaciers, and valleys. The park also boasts numerous waterfalls, including Diablo Lake and Ross Lake, that add to the park’s stunning landscape.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and North Cascades National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina and North Cascades National Park in Washington state offer different experiences for visitors. Congaree is known for its old-growth floodplain forest, which draws visitors for birdwatching, kayaking, and nature photography. North Cascades, on the other hand, is famous for its rugged, mountainous terrain, which attracts those who love backpacking, rock climbing, and mountaineering. Both parks offer opportunities for fishing and camping, but Congaree’s flat terrain is better for biking, while North Cascades’ steep slopes are ideal for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and North Cascades National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina has hot, humid summers and cool, wet winters, with temperatures ranging from 20-90°F. North Cascades National Park in Washington state has much cooler and wetter weather, with temperatures ranging from 20-70°F. The best time to visit Congaree is in the fall or winter, while the best time to visit North Cascades is in the summer or fall. Congaree’s hot and humid summers can make it difficult to enjoy outdoor activities, while the cool, wet weather in North Cascades can make it challenging to hike and camp. It’s important to plan accordingly and check the weather before visiting either park.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and North Cascades National Park
Congaree and North Cascades are both great parks for families, however, Congaree is more family-friendly due to its accessibility and kid-friendly activities. Congaree has boardwalk trails that are stroller-friendly and offer a unique experience of walking through a towering forest of old-growth trees. North Cascades is more remote and rugged, with activities such as backpacking and challenging hikes that may not be suitable for young children. Both parks offer ranger-led programs for kids, but Congaree has a higher number and variety of ranger-led activities designed for families.