Congaree and Yellowstone National Parks offer vastly different experiences for visitors. While Congaree boasts the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the country, Yellowstone is home to the world’s largest active geyser field and iconic wildlife such as grizzly bears and wolves. Both parks offer opportunities for hiking, camping, and water-based recreation, but Congaree’s lush swamp environment and boardwalk trails provide a unique and peaceful escape, while Yellowstone’s geothermal features and rugged terrain offer a more adventurous experience. Whether you’re in the mood for a peaceful stroll through a forest or an action-packed adventure, both Congaree and Yellowstone have something to offer.
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming offer diverse hiking experiences. Congaree boasts the longest boardwalk in the National Park system, offering an easy 2.4-mile hike through old-growth hardwood forests and bottomland swamps. For a more strenuous hike, the Weston Lake Loop Trail takes visitors on a 7.5-mile journey through towering loblolly pines, tupelo gum trees, and over creeks and swamps. Yellowstone, on the other hand, offers a range of hikes from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes is the 0.5-mile boardwalk at the Old Faithful Geyser, while the toughest hike is the 22-mile round trip to the summit of Mount Washburn. Both parks offer breathtaking scenic views and opportunities to spot wildlife, 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 Yellowstone National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mystic Falls, Fairy Creek and Little Firehole Loop | 5632.69 | 184.7088 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Grand Prismatic Hot Spring | 2574.944 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop | 7242.03 | 73.7616 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Canyon Rim North Trail to Inspiration Point | 12713.786 | 349.9104 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail | 1609.34 | 17.9832 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Mammoth Hot Springs Area Trail | 5632.69 | 170.9928 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Artists Paintpots Trail | 1609.34 | 30.7848 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Avalanche Peak Trail | 7402.964 | 614.7816 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail | 1126.538 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Upper Falls, Lower Falls and Crystal Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 140.8176 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Congaree and Yellowstone are two distinct parks with unique wildlife. Congaree is known for its diverse range of reptiles and amphibians, including the American alligator and various species of frogs and salamanders. The park also has a rich bird population, including the Swallow-tailed Kite, Wood Stork, and Prothonotary Warbler. In terms of vegetation, Congaree is famous for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest.
Yellowstone, on the other hand, is famous for its large mammals, such as the grey wolf, bison, elk, and the threatened lynx. The park also has a diverse bird population, including the Bald Eagle, Trumpeter Swan, and the Raven. Yellowstone also boasts a wide range of plant species, including the Lodgepole Pine, Subalpine Fir, and the American Elm.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Yellowstone National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Yellowstone 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 | Yellowstone 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 | Mule Deer |
| Feral Hog | Wolf |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Least Shrew | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Badger | |
| Short Tailed Weasel | |
| California Myotis |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Racer |
| Ringneck Snake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Common Garter Snake | Rubber Boa |
| Common Kingsnake |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Alfalfa Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Monarch | Painted Lady |
| American Painted Lady | Monarch |
| Red Admiral | American Painted Lady |
| Mourning Cloak | Red Admiral |
| Cabbage Butterfly | Mourning Cloak |
| Checkered Skipper | Silvery Blue |
| Variegated Fritillary | Common Checkered Skipper |
| Buckeye | Common Sulphur |
| Commom Wood Nymph | Variegated Fritillary |
| Gray Hairstreak | Commom Wood Nymph |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Fish
| Congaree National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Brown Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Longnose Sucker |
| European Carp | Lake Trout |
| Yellow Bullhead | Mottled Sculpin |
| Graceful Catfish | Longnose Dace |
| Black Crappie | Speckled Dace |
| Mosquitofish | Arctic Grayling |
| Brown Bullhead |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Congaree National Park is home to the tallest deciduous forest in the world, as well as a diverse range of landscapes, including bottomland hardwoods, cypress swamps, and towering pines. Visitors can take in the beauty of the park’s vistas from the boardwalk, which winds through the forest, or from the observation tower, which provides panoramic views of the park.
Yellowstone National Park boasts some of the most iconic natural wonders in the world, including Old Faithful geyser, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and the Yellowstone Caldera, one of the largest active volcanic systems in the world. The park is also home to Lake Yellowstone, the largest high-altitude lake in North America, and the Yellowstone River, which winds its way through the park, providing scenic vistas and opportunities for fishing, boating, and kayaking.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Congaree National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most popular National Parks in the United States. At Congaree, visitors love to explore the park’s 22,000+ acre old-growth bottomland hardwood forest and kayak or canoe down Cedar Creek. Yellowstone, on the other hand, is known for its geothermal features like the famous Old Faithful geyser and the Grand Prismatic Spring, as well as its abundant wildlife such as bison, elk, and wolves. Both parks offer camping, fishing, and ranger-led programs, but Congaree has fewer options for backcountry camping and no specific roads for wildlife viewing. Meanwhile, Yellowstone has over 900 miles of hiking trails, as well as guided backcountry trips and scenic drives to look for wildlife.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The best time to visit the park is from late fall to early spring, as the summer months bring high temperatures and frequent thunderstorms. On the other hand, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho has a subalpine climate with long, cold winters and short, mild summers. The best time to visit Yellowstone is in the summer, as the roads through the park are typically open, and the weather is mild. Winter visits can be beautiful, but snow and road closures are common.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Congaree and Yellowstone are both popular national parks, but have different offerings for families. Congaree is known for its hiking trails and scenic views of old-growth forest, while Yellowstone is famous for its geothermal features, such as geysers and hot springs, and an abundance of wildlife. Both parks offer camping, educational ranger programs and visitor centers, but Yellowstone has more amenities, such as lodges, restaurants, and gift shops. Based on these factors, Yellowstone may be a better option for families traveling with children, as it provides more opportunities for activities and creature comforts.