Congaree and Zion National Parks offer breathtaking natural beauty, but they differ in terms of geography, climate, and activities. While Congaree boasts towering old-growth hardwood trees and lush wetlands, Zion showcases towering sandstone cliffs and narrow canyons. Congaree is located in South Carolina and experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, while Zion is in Utah and has a dry desert climate with very hot summers and cool winters. Whether you prefer hiking, camping, or kayaking, both parks offer unique opportunities to explore and connect with nature. So, pack your bags, grab your hiking gear, and get ready to choose your adventure in Congaree or Zion National Parks!
Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park and Zion National Park
Congaree National Park and Zion National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but they offer very different hiking experiences. Congaree is located in South Carolina and is known for its towering trees and swamp-like conditions. The Boardwalk Loop is one of the most popular trails here and provides a relatively easy hike through the forest and over the swamp. Another easy trail is the Weston Lake Loop, which offers scenic views of the park’s waterways. On the other hand, the Oakridge Trail is a more challenging hike that takes visitors through the forests and over the swamp.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is located in Utah and is famous for its towering cliffs and canyons. One of the easiest hikes here is the Riverside Walk, which takes visitors along the Virgin River and offers a great introduction to the park. The Narrows, on the other hand, is a challenging hike that takes visitors through a narrow canyon filled with water. This hike requires wading through the river and can be quite strenuous, but the views are worth it. Another challenging hike is the Angels Landing, which takes visitors to the top of a towering cliff and offers panoramic views of the park. Overall, both parks offer a range of hiking experiences, from easy walks to strenuous adventures, making them both great 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 Zion National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angels Landing Trail | 6598.294 | 492.8616 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk | 2896.812 | 62.7888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Zion Canyon Overlook Trail | 1609.34 | 64.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Watchman Trail | 4988.954 | 196.9008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| The Subway Trail | 11265.38 | 397.764 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Weeping Rock Trail | 482.802 | 23.7744 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Zion Narrows Trail to Imlay Temple and Big Spring | 13840.324 | 1268.8824 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Lower Emerald Pool Trail | 2092.142 | 34.7472 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Emerald Pools Trail | 4667.086 | 184.7088 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Hidden Canyon Trail | 4828.02 | 283.7688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Congaree National Park and Zion National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Zion National Park in Utah have different ecosystems, which results in different wildlife. Congaree is known for its diverse array of forest wildlife, including white-tailed deer, river otters, bobcats, beavers, etc. The park is also home to over 170 species of birds, including the prothonotary warbler and the pileated woodpecker. Zion NP is known for its deserts and canyons, and its wildlife includes desert bighorn sheep, mountain lions, mule deer, and many species of birds of prey, such as the golden eagle and peregrine falcon. Both parks also have unique plant life, with Congaree boasting a large variety of hardwood trees, and Zion featuring cacti, yucca, and other desert flora.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Congaree National Park and Zion National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Congaree National Park | Zion 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 | Zion 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 | Mule Deer |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Gray Fox |
| Feral Hog | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Least Shrew | American Badger |
| Ermine | |
| California Myotis | |
| Fringed Myotis |
Reptiles
| Congaree National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Gophersnake |
| Ringneck Snake | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Common Garter Snake | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Common Kingsnake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Insects
| Congaree National Park | Zion 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 | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Brown Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Speckled Dace |
| European Carp | Channel Catfish |
| Yellow Bullhead | Goldfish |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Brown Bullhead |
Amphibians
| Congaree National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Congaree National Park and Zion National Park
Congaree National Park is home to the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the US, featuring towering trees, diverse wildlife, and boardwalks for hiking. Zion National Park boasts stunning red rock formations and canyons, with popular trails like Angels Landing and the Narrows, as well as the Virgin River running through the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Congaree National Park and Zion National Park
Congaree National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy, including hiking, camping, and scenic drives. However, there are some key differences between the two parks. Congaree is known for its old-growth hardwood forest and its diverse array of wildlife, as well as its boardwalk trails that provide easy access to the park’s unique ecosystem. In contrast, Zion is famous for its stunning red rock canyons and towering cliffs, as well as its challenging hikes that offer incredible views from high above the canyon floor. Both parks also offer ranger-led programs, picnic areas, and recreational opportunities like canoeing, fishing, and birdwatching. Ultimately, visitors to Congaree and Zion can expect to enjoy a rich and diverse outdoor experience, regardless of their interests or skill level.
Best Time to Visit Congaree National Park and Zion National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina has hot, humid summers and mild winters, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-80s in the summer to the mid-40s in the winter. Winter is the best time to visit, with fewer bugs and less humidity. Zion National Park in Utah has warm summers and cooler winters, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-80s in the summer to the mid-30s in the winter. Winter can bring snow and ice, making it less accessible, but spring is the best time to visit, with warmer temperatures and wildflowers in bloom. Both parks have unique landscapes and attractions, with Congaree offering old-growth forests and diverse wildlife, and Zion offering towering sandstone cliffs and scenic hiking trails.
Family Friendliness of Congaree National Park and Zion National Park
Congaree and Zion National Parks both offer scenic landscapes and outdoor recreational activities. However, for a family-friendly visit, Zion may be a better choice due to its wider range of kid-friendly trails and attractions, such as the Junior Ranger program and shuttle system. Congaree is known for its unique swamp and forest ecosystems and offers fewer amenities.