16. Congaree
State: South Carolina
Area: 107 sq km
Created: 2003
Best for … wildlife-watching, canoeing, hiking
Why go? Foragers and fishermen may have appreciated it in prehistoric times, but Congaree was only granted national park status 11 years ago. Its swamp-like waterways, flanked by an eerie canopy of towering sun-blocking trees, are a haven for wildlife. Bobcats, feral pigs and armadillos roam, but it’s the birdlife – from the tufted titmouse to the noisy yellow-bellied sapsucker –that really thrives here.
Experience the cacophony of birdcalls on foot or from the comfort of a canoe and you’ll also get up-close to this bottomland forest, one of the USA’s largest left. Canoe rides are usually free on weekends and, as you paddle through this dense wilderness dwarfed by the tallest loblolly pines alive (51m), you may even spot otters, white-tailed deer and raccoons along the banks of Cedar Creek.
When to go: Open year-round. Avoid the rainy summer months as some trails get washed away.
Plan your trip: Congaree is a 90-minute drive from Charlotte Douglas airport; you can fly there direct from Heathrow. Add a visit to Charleston 160km south-east, to explore the city and snorkel with dolphins around the offshore islands.
17. Glacier
State: Montana
Area: 4,101 sq km
Created: 1910
Best for… snowshoeing, hiking, road trips
Why go? The scientific forecast does not look good at Glacier National Park. Experts reckon that by 2030, it will be void of the glaciers that gave the park its name. Put simply: go, while you still have the chance to see them. Designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1976, Glacier is postcard-perfect Rocky Mountain wilderness, full of lush forests, wild meadows, azure lakes and icy peaks. Hollywood agrees: more than 35 films have been shot in the park – including Stephen King classic, The Shining.
There are over 1,100km of walking trails, numerous campsites and opportunities for boating and biking. You don’t even need to get out of your car (though you should): the 80km Going-to-the-Sun Road, the only road that crosses the park, intersects the 2,026m continental divide at Logan Pass and offers sweeping views. In winter, skis and snowshoes provide access to much of the park, in all its icy, uncrowded glory.
When to go: Open year-round. Autumn is colourful and quieter than peak summer months; winter offers great snow sports.
Plan your trip: The park is 48km from Glacier Park International Airport, near Kalispell, which is served by flights from Salt Lake City. In a two-week trip, you could fly into Seattle, drive east to Glacier, then head south via Yellowstone and Grand Teton to Salt Lake.
