“Imagine standing amidst towering trees that soar to the sky in one park, and then being transported to a world of pristine white sand dunes in another. Congaree National Park in South Carolina and White Sands National Park in New Mexico offer vastly different landscapes, but both promise breathtaking vistas and unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re a nature lover or adventure seeker, these parks have something for everyone. So pack your bags and get ready to embark on a journey to two of the most unique and captivating national parks in the United States.”
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and White Sands National Park
Congaree and White Sands National Parks offer unique hiking experiences. The trails at Congaree, located in South Carolina, are primarily through lowland hardwood forests and offer easy to moderate hikes, with the longest trail being 15 miles. The Boardwalk Loop is an easy, 2.4 mile hike that winds through the picturesque forest, while the River Trail is a tougher, 10-mile hike that provides scenic views of the Congaree River. White Sands National Park, in New Mexico, is a desert environment with trails ranging from easy, like the Alkali Flat Trail which is a 1-mile loop, to strenuous, including the Interdune Boardwalk Trail, a 3-mile hike with steep inclines. The toughest hike at White Sands is the Backcountry Camping Loop, a 15-mile hike that takes you through the heart of the desert. Both parks offer a range of hiking options for visitors, from easy, scenic walks to challenging hikes for experienced hikers.
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 White Sands 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 | 6 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and White Sands National Park
Congaree National Park and White Sands National Park are two distinct national parks with unique wildlife. Congaree is known for its diverse range of species, including deer, fox, river otters, and over 200 species of birds. The park is also home to a number of rare and threatened species, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker and the American alligator. In addition to wildlife, Congaree is also home to a variety of plant life, including bald cypress and tupelo trees, as well as carnivorous plants such as the Venus flytrap.
In contrast, White Sands National Park is located in a desert environment and is known for its white sand dunes and unique desert wildlife, such as the desert bighorn sheep, the pronghorn antelope, and the rattlesnake. The park is also home to a number of bird species, including the roadrunner and the golden eagle. In addition to wildlife, White Sands is also home to a number of unique plant species adapted to the harsh desert environment, including creosote bushes, ocotillo, and Joshua trees.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Ringneck Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Common Kingsnake |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and White Sands National Park
Congaree National Park is famous for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest and the Congaree River. A visit to the park offers opportunities to hike the boardwalks and trails through the forest and see towering trees up to 160 ft tall.
White Sands National Park is famous for its white sand dunes, formed from gypsum crystals. Visitors can enjoy hiking and sledding on the dunes, as well as scenic drives through the park. The park also offers stargazing opportunities, as the white sand reflects moonlight and minimizes light pollution.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and White Sands National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina is known for its old-growth hardwood forest, home to unique wildlife, and canoeing and kayaking opportunities on the Congaree River. White Sands National Park in New Mexico features the world’s largest gypsum dune field and is popular for sand sledding, hiking, and stargazing. Both parks offer scenic picnic areas, ranger-led programs, and camping options. While Congaree offers a lush, water-based wilderness experience, White Sands offers a chance to explore otherworldly, pure white dunes. Both parks offer unique and memorable experiences, appealing to different interests and adventure levels.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and White Sands National Park
Congaree National Park, located in South Carolina, experiences hot and humid summers with temperatures ranging from the high 80s to low 90s, and mild winters with temperatures in the 40s and 50s. The park is prone to heavy rainfall, especially in the summer months, which can cause flooding. On the other hand, White Sands National Park in New Mexico experiences hot and dry summers with temperatures ranging from 90s to low 100s, and cool, dry winters with temperatures in the 40s and 50s. The park is located in a desert, and visitors should be prepared for intense sun exposure.
The best time to visit Congaree National Park is in the winter when temperatures are mild and the risk of flooding is low. The park is also known for its fall colors, making autumn a popular time to visit. On the other hand, the best time to visit White Sands National Park is in the spring or fall when temperatures are comfortable and the sun is less intense. Visitors should avoid visiting during the summer months when temperatures can reach dangerous levels.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and White Sands National Park
Congaree and White Sands National Parks both offer unique experiences for families. Congaree has a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking and kayaking, as well as educational programs for children. White Sands, on the other hand, is a stunning landscape of white sand dunes which are perfect for sand sledding and picnicking. For a more hands-on experience, White Sands also offers Junior Ranger programs. Ultimately, the choice between Congaree and White Sands depends on the family’s interests and preferences. If the family wants a blend of outdoor recreation and education, Congaree may be the better choice. If the family is looking for a more laid-back, scenic experience, White Sands may be the better choice.