“Escape to the great outdoors and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature with a visit to Congaree National Park and Voyageurs National Park. While both parks offer breathtaking landscapes and ample opportunities for outdoor adventures, each one has a unique character that sets it apart. Congaree boasts the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the country, while Voyageurs showcases the stunning beauty of the northern wilderness with its interconnected network of lakes and waterways. So pack your bags, grab your hiking boots, and get ready to explore two of America’s most stunning national parks!”
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Congaree National Park and Voyageurs National Park both offer unique and scenic hiking experiences. Congaree, located in South Carolina, has a vast network of elevated boardwalks and trails that wind through the park’s old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, providing opportunities to observe diverse wildlife and towering trees. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Kingsnake Trail, a 1.5-mile loop and the Weston Lake Loop, a 2.4-mile trail. For more challenging hikes, visitors can tackle the Congaree River Trail, a 12.5-mile trail that takes you through the heart of the park or the Oakridge Trail, a strenuous 7.2-mile hike that offers stunning views of the surrounding forest.
Voyageurs National Park, located in Minnesota, offers a completely different type of hiking experience with its rugged and remote wilderness character. The park is known for its interconnected system of lakes and waterways, allowing visitors to hike and paddle through the park’s pristine wilderness. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Kettle Falls Trail, a 1.3-mile trail that leads to a scenic waterfall, and the Rainy Lake Trail, a 2.6-mile journey along the shores of Rainy Lake. For more challenging hikes, visitors can take on the Rock Island Trail, a 9.7-mile trek through the heart of the park or the Echo Bay Trail, a strenuous 8.5-mile hike that traverses the rugged landscape and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness.
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 Voyageurs National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Congaree National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two unique ecosystems with diverse wildlife. Congaree is located in South Carolina and is notable for its old-growth hardwood forest and towering trees, home to species such as the Wood Stork, Prothonotary Warbler, and Swallow-tailed Kite. Additionally, it provides habitat for white-tailed deer, river otters, and alligators. Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota is centered around a network of interconnected water bodies and is home to beavers, bald eagles, loons, and otters. The park is also a great place to see moose and black bears, as well as a variety of waterfowl and songbirds. Both parks offer opportunities to view plants such as wildflowers and various species of ferns, shrubs, and trees, including the boreal forest in Voyageurs.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Voyageurs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Voyageurs 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 | Voyageurs 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 | Mountain Lion |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | Mink |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Common Gray Fox |
| Feral Hog | Plains Wolf |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | American Badger |
| Least Shrew | Ermine |
| Snowshoe Hare | |
| River Otter | |
| Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Ringneck Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Common Kingsnake |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Voyageurs 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 | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Largemouth Bass |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Bluegill | Green Sunfish |
| Golden Shiner | Bluegill |
| European Carp | Fathead Minnow |
| Yellow Bullhead | Golden Shiner |
| Graceful Catfish | Lake Trout |
| Black Crappie | Northern Pike |
| Mosquitofish | Ellpout |
| Brown Bullhead | Mottled Sculpin |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Congaree National Park is famous for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, the largest in the US. Towering trees and diverse wildlife can be seen on the park’s elevated boardwalk trail.
Voyageurs National Park is famous for its interconnected network of lakes and waterways, including four large lakes: Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point. Visitors can explore the park by boat, canoe, or kayak, and enjoy scenic views of its pristine shorelines, bays, and islands.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Congaree National Park is known for its diverse ecosystem and the largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in North America. Visitors enjoy kayaking, fishing and camping in the park’s backcountry. The park’s 20,000 acres of protected land also offers ranger-led programs and nature walks that provide an in-depth look at the park’s unique ecosystem. On the other hand, Voyageurs National Park is located in northern Minnesota and is famous for its water-based recreational activities such as boating, canoeing, fishing, and houseboating. The park’s interconnected waterways and numerous islands offer a serene environment for visitors to explore. Both parks offer opportunities for wildlife viewing, with Congaree being home to species such as deer, otters, and wood ducks, while Voyageurs is known for its population of wolves, moose, and bald eagles.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Congaree and Voyageurs National Parks have vastly different weather patterns due to their geographical location. Congaree, located in South Carolina, experiences hot and humid summers with temperatures ranging between 80-90°F and mild winters with temperatures ranging between 40-50°F. On the other hand, Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota experiences harsh winters with temperatures dropping below freezing and mild summers with temperatures ranging between 60-70°F.
The best time to visit Congaree is in the winter months when temperatures are mild and the park is less crowded. The summer months can be uncomfortably hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms, making it a less ideal time to visit.
Voyageurs is best visited in the summer months when temperatures are mild and the park’s waterways are navigable. Winter in Voyageurs can be extremely harsh with temperatures dropping below freezing, making outdoor activities difficult and the park’s waterways frozen over.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Congaree and Voyageurs both offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and family-friendly activities. Congaree National Park is known for its beautiful hiking trails, kayaking, and birdwatching. Voyageurs National Park offers water-based activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, as well as opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing. Both parks have campgrounds and educational programs for children. However, if traveling with younger children, Congaree may be a better option as its trails are shorter and easier to navigate, while Voyageurs is better suited for older children and teenagers who are comfortable with water activities.