Congaree and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are two of the most unique and diverse natural areas in the United States. While both are renowned for their towering trees and diverse wildlife, they offer vastly different experiences for visitors. Congaree is a swampy, low-lying park located in South Carolina, known for its towering bald cypress trees and diverse array of plants and animals. On the other hand, Sequoia & Kings Canyon is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California and is home to some of the largest trees on the planet, including the famous General Sherman Tree. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in a lush, swampy landscape or hike among the tallest trees on earth, these two parks have something for everyone.
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Congaree and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks offer a range of hiking trails for visitors. Congaree National Park is known for its swamp and bottomland hardwood forests, and has several easy trails like the boardwalk loop and Oakridge Trail that take visitors through the lush forest and offer bird-watching opportunities. On the other hand, the park’s most challenging hike is the Kingsnake Trail, a 10.5-mile loop that takes hikers through the park’s wilderness area.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, on the other hand, are home to towering giant sequoia trees and rugged mountain terrain. The parks’ easiest hike is the Big Trees Trail, a short, flat hike through a grove of giant sequoias. At the other end of the spectrum is the strenuous Rae Lakes Loop, a 41-mile backpacking trip that takes visitors through mountain passes and along high-alpine lakes. Both Congaree and Sequoia & Kings Canyon offer a diverse range of hiking experiences, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry adventures.
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 Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moro Rock Trail | 643.736 | 56.9976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Tokopah Falls via Tokopah Valley Trail | 6437.36 | 194.7672 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Heather Lake, Emerald Lake, and Pear Lake Trail via Watchtower and Pear Lake Trails | 18990.212 | 887.8824 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| General Sherman Tree Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Marble Falls Trail | 11909.116 | 495.9096 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Congress Trail | 5149.888 | 151.7904 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Alta Peak Trail | 23979.166 | 1238.7072 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mineral King to Eagle Lake Trail | 10460.71 | 674.8272 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Big Trees Trail | 2092.142 | 36.8808 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Giant Forest Loop Trail | 11265.38 | 390.7536 | Easy | loop | 5 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Congaree National Park, South Carolina is known for its diverse ecosystem, including old-growth hardwood forest and floodplain swamp, home to a variety of wildlife such as white-tailed deer, river otters, coyotes, and raccoons. Birdwatchers can spot woodpeckers, warblers, and vultures. The park also features a range of plants, including cypress and tupelo trees, and carnivorous plants like Venus Flytraps.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, California host a unique mix of wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, and mule deer, as well as a number of bird species such as the Great Grey Owl and the Yellow-billed Magpie. The parks are also home to the giant sequoia trees, the largest living organisms on earth, as well as a range of other vegetation like ferns, wildflowers and manzanita shrubs.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| 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 | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Pipit | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Congaree National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| 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 | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| Racer | Gopher Snake |
| Ringneck Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Racer |
| Common Kingsnake | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Southwestern Black-Headed Snake | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| 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 | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout Charr Salter |
| Bluegill | Brown Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Green Sunfish |
| European Carp | Golden Shiner |
| Yellow Bullhead | European Carp |
| Graceful Catfish | Black Bullhead |
| Black Crappie | Brown Bullhead |
| Mosquitofish | Goldfish |
| Brown Bullhead | Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Congaree NP is known for its old growth bottomland hardwood forest, offering scenic hiking trails and boardwalks through towering trees and diverse wildlife. The park’s highlight is the Congaree River, which runs through the park and is popular for canoeing and kayaking.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP features the largest trees on Earth, the giant sequoias, as well as high peaks like Mount Whitney, scenic valleys like the Kings Canyon, and numerous waterfalls like Mist Falls. The park also offers scenic drives and hiking trails, including the famous High Sierra Trail which passes through alpine meadows, granite cliffs, and glacial valleys.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Congaree National Park is known for its old-growth hardwood forest and offers visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of the park through hiking, kayaking, and fishing. In contrast, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are famous for their towering trees and offer a range of activities including hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and scenic drives through the forest. Both parks offer camping opportunities to extend the adventure. Congaree is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, while Sequoia & Kings Canyon attract a wider range of visitors, including families and those seeking a more active experience.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Congaree National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are located on opposite coasts of the US and have vastly different weather patterns. Congaree has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, while Sequoia & Kings Canyon have a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The best time to visit Congaree is during the spring and fall when temperatures are mild, while the best time to visit Sequoia & Kings Canyon is in the summer when it is warm and dry with little precipitation. However, visitors should be aware that the high country of Sequoia & Kings Canyon can receive snow even during the summer months, making some trails inaccessible. In contrast, Congaree is known for its high rainfall throughout the year, which can make trails and boardwalks slippery.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Both Congaree and Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP are family-friendly, but with different offerings. Congaree NP has a 2.4-mile boardwalk loop trail and ranger-led programs, making it easy for families to explore the park’s unique old-growth bottomland hardwood forest. Meanwhile, Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP has a wider range of outdoor activities including hiking, camping, and scenic drives through giant sequoia groves, as well as a junior ranger program. If you’re traveling with children, Sequoia & Kings Canyon may be the better choice for a more diverse outdoor adventure experience.