“Two of America’s greatest outdoor treasures, Congaree and Olympic National Parks, offer vastly different experiences for nature enthusiasts. While Congaree boasts the tallest deciduous forest in the world with towering trees, Olympic’s diverse landscape ranges from rugged Pacific coastline to serene alpine meadows. One of the most fascinating aspects of these parks is the contrast in the biodiversity they offer, from the swampy lowlands of Congaree to the lush temperate rainforests of Olympic. So pack your hiking gear, grab your camera and get ready to explore, as we journey through these two unique parks and discover the wonders they have in store.”
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Olympic National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Olympic National Park in Washington are both popular destinations for hiking enthusiasts. Congaree features low-lying swamp trails with towering old-growth hardwood trees and diverse wildlife. Some of the easiest hikes include the Boardwalk Loop, which is a 2.4-mile boardwalk trail through the swamp, and the Weston Lake Loop, a 3.5-mile loop trail around a lake. For more experienced hikers, the Oakridge Trail offers a strenuous 10-mile hike through the heart of the park’s forest. On the other hand, Olympic National Park features a variety of landscapes, from temperate rainforests to alpine meadows. Some of the easiest hikes include the Spruce Nature Trail, a 0.8-mile loop through a mature forest, and the Second Beach Trail, a 2.5-mile trail to a beautiful beach. For the more adventurous, the challenging 7.4-mile hike to Mount Storm King offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forests.
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 Olympic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge | 4988.954 | 242.9256 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Storm King | 6276.426 | 638.8608 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail | 2574.944 | 77.724 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh Rain Forest Hall of Moss | 1609.34 | 23.7744 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Marymere Falls Trail | 2735.878 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh River Trail | 52786.352 | 1558.7472 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| High Divide – Seven Lakes Basin Loop | 30577.46 | 1617.8784 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ruby Beach | 2253.076 | 20.7264 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Staircase Rapids Loop | 3379.614 | 64.9224 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spruce Railroad Trail: Lake Crescent | 18024.608 | 131.9784 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Olympic National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Olympic National Park in Washington State are both rich in wildlife, but offer different experiences. Congaree is a swamp ecosystem with diverse flora, including bald cypress trees, tupelos, and loblolly pines. Wildlife includes white-tailed deer, squirrels, raccoons, and river otters. The park is also home to over 200 species of birds, including great blue herons and wood ducks.
Olympic National Park is a temperate rainforest with a diverse mix of lumber, ferns, and moss. Wildlife includes black bears, mountain goats, and elk. Marine life such as harbor seals and sea lions can be seen from the park’s coastlines. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 300 species of birds, including bald eagles and puffins.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Olympic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Olympic 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 | 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 | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Striped Skunk |
| Striped Skunk | Little Brown Bat |
| Raccoon | Deer Mouse |
| Black Bear | Raccoon |
| Red Fox | Black Bear |
| Mink | Porcupine |
| Common Gray Fox | Silver-Haired Bat |
| North American River Otter | Red Fox |
| White-Tailed Deer | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Virginia Opossum | House Mouse |
| Eastern Red Bat | Wolf |
| White-Footed Mouse | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Eastern Cottontail | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | California Myotis |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Snowshoe Rabbit |
| Feral Hog | North American River Otter |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Fringe-Tailed Myotis |
| Least Shrew | Masked Shrew |
| Water Shrew | |
| Western Big-Eared Bat | |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Ringneck Snake | Common Garter Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Rubber Boa |
| Common Kingsnake | Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Alfalfa Sulphur | Honey Bee |
| Monarch | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage Butterfly | |
| Checkered Skipper | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Congaree National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Steelhead/Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Largemouth Bass |
| Golden Shiner | Salish Sucker |
| European Carp | Coho Salmon |
| Yellow Bullhead | Chinook Salmon |
| Graceful Catfish | Longnose Dace |
| Black Crappie | Speckled Dace |
| Mosquitofish | Threespine Stickleback |
| Brown Bullhead | Sockeye Salmon |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Olympic National Park
Congaree National Park features towering old-growth hardwood trees, diverse wildlife and unique habitats, such as the Cedar Creek. Olympic National Park boasts the stunning Olympic Mountains, a temperate rainforest, and over 70 miles of wild coastline.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Olympic National Park
Congaree National Park and Olympic National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. While both parks offer unique experiences, there are several key differences between the two. At Congaree National Park, visitors love to kayak, canoe and fish through the park’s vast network of waterways. The park is also a popular destination for birdwatching, as it is home to a variety of species of birds, including the Wood Stork and Swallow-tailed Kite. In contrast, Olympic National Park is best known for its scenic drives and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, making it a popular destination for road trips. The park also offers a range of outdoor activities including camping, backpacking, and wildlife watching. Additionally, Olympic National Park is home to a number of hot springs, making it a popular destination for those seeking a relaxing soak.
In conclusion, Congaree National Park and Olympic National Park are both unique and offer a range of activities for visitors. Whether you are looking for a peaceful hike, outdoor adventure, or a scenic drive, these parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Olympic National Park
Congaree National Park, located in South Carolina, experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, with most rain falling from April to October. On the other hand, Olympic National Park in Washington state has a maritime climate with moderate temperatures, high rainfall and snow accumulation in the higher elevations. The best time to visit Congaree is in the winter or spring, to avoid the hot and humid summers, while Olympic National Park is best visited during the summer for the driest weather and best hiking conditions, although the snow-capped peaks and snow sports are a draw in the winter.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Olympic National Park
Congaree and Olympic National Parks both offer family-friendly activities, but have different appeals. Congaree offers guided hikes, kayaking and canoeing, and camping opportunities, but limited amenities. Olympic features scenic drives, ranger programs, and abundant wildlife viewing, as well as more developed facilities including lodges, restaurants and shops. If traveling with children, Olympic may be the better choice due to its more diversified offerings and amenities.