Congaree and Rocky Mountain National Parks are two vastly different yet equally captivating destinations for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. While Congaree boasts the tallest deciduous trees in the world, towering over visitors in South Carolina, Rocky Mountain rises high with its soaring peaks covered in snow, offering breathtaking views in Colorado. Both parks offer unique experiences and breathtaking scenery, making it difficult to choose just one. Whether you’re seeking a lush, swampy escape or a rugged, mountainous challenge, these parks have something for everyone. So pack your bags and get ready to explore the wild beauty of Congaree and Rocky Mountain National Parks!
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Congaree National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are two of the most diverse and beautiful parks in the country. Congaree trail system is mostly flat, with boardwalks and elevated trails that offer easy hikes through old-growth bottomland hardwood forests. The park’s signature hike is the 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop, which is an easy hike that provides great views of the towering trees and diverse plant life. On the other hand, Rocky Mountain National Park boasts of some of the most challenging hikes in the country. The park’s trails range from easy hikes such as the 0.8-mile Bear Lake Loop to strenuous hikes like the 18.7-mile Four Pass Loop which crosses over four mountain passes with steep ascents and descents. For those seeking an intermediate hike, the 3.3-mile Chasm Lake Trail offers stunning views of Longs Peak and the surrounding mountains. Both parks offer unique hiking experiences and breathtaking views, making them popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts.
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 Rocky Mountain National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Lake Trail | 4988.954 | 215.7984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail | 13035.654 | 537.972 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Gem Lake Trail | 4988.954 | 301.752 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Loch Lake Trail via Glacier Gorge Trail | 8690.436 | 326.7456 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Alberta Falls Trail | 2574.944 | 76.8096 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chasm Lake | 15127.796 | 792.7848 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Dream Lake Trail | 3218.68 | 129.8448 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bear Lake Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 12.8016 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Twin Sisters Peak Trail | 12070.05 | 766.8768 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ouzel Falls via Wild Basin Trail from Sandbeach Lake | 11909.116 | 361.7976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina is a protected area of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest boasting a diverse range of wildlife. Common mammals include white-tailed deer, river otter, and various species of squirrels. The park is also a haven for bird enthusiasts, offering sightings of pileated woodpeckers, barred owls, and prothonotary warblers. In terms of vegetation, the park has a unique ecosystem with towering loblolly pines, bald cypress trees, and swamp tupelos.
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is known for its stunning mountain scenery and diverse wildlife. Elk, bighorn sheep, and moose are commonly seen mammals in the park, while birdwatchers can enjoy sightings of the American dipper, Clark’s nutcracker, and the rare white-tailed ptarmigan. The park is also home to a large number of wildflowers and alpine meadows, as well as forests of spruce, fir, and pine trees.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Rocky Mountain 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 | Rocky Mountain 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 | Mountain Lion |
| Eastern Cottontail | Mink |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | Mule Deer |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Gray Fox |
| Feral Hog | Gray Wolf |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Least Shrew | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Badger | |
| Ermine | |
| Snowshoe Hare |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Ringneck Snake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Common Garter Snake | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Common Kingsnake |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Alfalfa Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Monarch | Painted Lady |
| American Painted Lady | Monarch |
| Red Admiral | American Lady |
| Mourning Cloak | Red Admiral |
| Cabbage Butterfly | Mourning Cloak |
| Checkered Skipper | Cabbage White |
| Variegated Fritillary | Silvery Blue |
| Buckeye | Common Checkered-Skipper |
| Commom Wood Nymph | Clouded Sulphur |
| Gray Hairstreak | Variegated Fritillary |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Congaree National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Brown Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Western Longnose Sucker |
| European Carp | Mottled Sculpin |
| Yellow Bullhead | Speckled Dace |
| Graceful Catfish | Cutthroat Trout |
| Black Crappie | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Brown Bullhead |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Congaree National Park is famous for its old growth bottomland hardwood forest which is home to towering trees, diverse wildlife, and a network of boardwalks and trails. Visitors can explore the park’s Congaree River and enjoy scenic views from the Weston Lake Overlook.
Rocky Mountain National Park boasts over 300 miles of trails and stunning landscapes, such as the towering peaks of the Continental Divide, alpine tundra, and crystal clear mountain lakes. Standout sights include Trail Ridge Road, which reaches an elevation of over 12,000 feet and offers panoramic views of the park, and the majestic Longs Peak, a 14,259-foot tall mountain that draws climbers from around the world.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Congaree National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are two of the most popular parks in the US, attracting millions of visitors each year. Congaree is known for its lush forest and swampy terrain, while Rocky Mountain is famous for its towering peaks and alpine lakes. Visitors to Congaree can enjoy kayaking and canoeing, fishing, camping, and ranger-led walks and talks. In contrast, visitors to Rocky Mountain can go horseback riding, fishing, backpacking, and rock climbing in addition to the popular ranger-led activities. Both parks offer scenic drives and picnicking, but Congaree is also home to the largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the country, making it a popular destination for bird watching and wildlife viewing.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina has hot, humid summers and mild winters, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to low 90s in summer and the mid-40s to mid-50s in winter. The park experiences heavy rainfall, especially in the summer months, with occasional thunderstorms. The best time to visit Congaree National Park is in the winter or spring, when temperatures are mild, and the park is not as crowded.
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado has a more severe climate, with cold, snowy winters and mild to warm summers, with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to mid-60s in winter and the mid-60s to low 80s in summer. The park receives heavy snowfall in winter and occasional thunderstorms in summer. The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is in the summer, when roads and trails are clear of snow and the weather is mild and pleasant.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado both offer scenic beauty and outdoor adventures, but they have different family-friendly features. Congaree is an ideal destination for families who enjoy water activities like kayaking, fishing and picnicking, while Rocky Mountain offers opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and snow sports. Congaree is also home to several boardwalks and trails that are accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, making it easy for families with young children or mobility issues to explore the park. On the other hand, Rocky Mountain requires more physical activity and may not be suitable for families with young children or mobility challenges. If you’re traveling with children, Congaree National Park is a more suitable choice for a family-friendly trip.