Congaree and Theodore Roosevelt National Parks are two of America’s hidden gems, offering visitors a chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes and unique experiences, but there are some key differences between the two. Congaree boasts the tallest deciduous forest in the world, with towering trees reaching up to the sky, while Theodore Roosevelt is home to rolling hills dotted with badlands formations and roaming herds of bison. Whether you prefer to hike through lush forests or explore the rugged wilderness, both parks are sure to leave you in awe and wondering why they’ve remained a secret for so long.
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Congaree National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park both offer scenic hikes through diverse ecosystems. Congaree features a flat, easy 2.4-mile boardwalk trail through the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the US. In contrast, Theodore Roosevelt boasts challenging hikes such as the Wind Canyon Trail, a strenuous 5.6-mile loop with steep climbs through rugged badlands. For those seeking a moderate hike, the Painted Canyon Trail, a 2.5-mile round trip hike through a colorful rock canyon, offers stunning views. Both parks offer opportunities to see wildlife, including bison at Theodore Roosevelt and the endangered Wood Stork at Congaree.
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 Theodore Roosevelt National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Canyon Trail | 804.67 | 16.764 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Caprock Coulee Loop | 6115.492 | 159.7152 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Painted Canyon Nature Trail | 1770.274 | 78.9432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Petrified Forest Trail | 16415.268 | 253.8984 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Maah Daah Hey Trail | 229009.082 | 4614.9768 | Hard | point to point | 4.5 |
| Lower Paddock Creek Trail | 11587.248 | 127.7112 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Buck Hill Trail | 643.736 | 16.764 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ridgeline Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 33.8328 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Coal Vein Trail | 965.604 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Buckhorn Trail | 19633.948 | 324.9168 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina is home to diverse ecosystems and wildlife, including bottomland hardwood forests, swamps and pine savannas. Visitors can expect to see white-tailed deer, river otters, bobcats, turkeys, and a variety of birds, such as woodpeckers, warblers and herons. The park also has a rich diversity of plants, including cypress, tupelo and various fungi.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota is known for its prairies and badlands. Wildlife commonly seen in the park include bison, pronghorns, elk, bighorn sheep, and coyotes. Birdwatchers can spot hawks, eagles, and various species of songbirds, while the park is also home to a variety of plants, including sagebrush, yucca, and cacti.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Theodore Roosevelt 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 | 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 | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Congaree National Park | Theodore Roosevelt 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 | Porcupine |
| Common Gray Fox | Silver-Haired Bat |
| North American River Otter | Hoary Bat |
| White-Tailed Deer | Red Fox |
| Virginia Opossum | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Eastern Red Bat | House Mouse |
| White-Footed Mouse | Mountain Lion |
| Eastern Cottontail | Mink |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | Mule Deer |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Gray Wolf |
| Feral Hog | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Least Shrew | Badger |
| Snowshoe Hare | |
| North American River Otter | |
| Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Bullsnake |
| Ringneck Snake | Racer |
| Common Garter Snake | Rattlesnake |
| Common Kingsnake | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
| Green Sunfish | Green Sunfish |
| Bluegill | Bluegill |
| Golden Shiner | Flathead Minnow |
| European Carp | Golden Shiner |
| Yellow Bullhead | Carp/European Carp |
| Graceful Catfish | Northern Pike |
| Black Crappie | Burbot |
| Mosquitofish | Longnose Dace |
| Brown Bullhead | Channel Catfish |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Congaree National Park features towering old-growth hardwood trees and diverse plant life, including the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in North America and the tallest loblolly pine tree on record. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in the badlands of North Dakota and offers scenic drives, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities. It is home to a variety of landscapes such as the colorful North Unit, the Painted Canyon, and the South Unit’s Elkhorn Ranch site, where Roosevelt once lived.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Congaree and Theodore Roosevelt National Parks offer different experiences to visitors. Congaree is known for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, which can be explored through boardwalks and hiking trails, as well as kayaking and canoeing on the Congaree River. On the other hand, Theodore Roosevelt is known for its scenic drives and backcountry hiking, as well as its wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly for bison and wild horses. In both parks, camping and picnicking are popular activities. At Congaree, ranger-led programs and stargazing are also enjoyed by visitors, while at Theodore Roosevelt, visitors can also participate in ranger-led programs and explore the park’s history through its museums and historic sites.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina has hot, humid summers and mild winters, with temperatures ranging from 90°F to 60°F. On the other hand, Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota experiences cold and dry winters with temperatures ranging from 20°F to 40°F, and mild summers with temperatures ranging from 80°F to 60°F. Precipitation is higher in Congaree, with summer being the wettest season, while Theodore Roosevelt is drier with the majority of precipitation occurring in the spring and fall. The best time to visit Congaree is during the winter or early spring, while Theodore Roosevelt is best visited in the summer or fall.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Congaree and Theodore Roosevelt National Parks are both family-friendly, but Congaree may be better for families with young children. Congaree has several easy hikes and boardwalks that provide opportunities to see diverse plant and animal life. Meanwhile, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is more rugged with longer hikes, but offers stunning scenery and the chance to see bison, horses, and other wildlife. Both parks have ranger-led programs for families and campgrounds for overnight stays.