Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are two of America’s most iconic national parks, each offering a unique and spectacular natural experience. Badlands National Park, located in South Dakota, is known for its rugged and otherworldly landscapes, characterized by layered rock formations and deep canyons. On the other hand, Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah boasts some of the most unique geologic structures in the world, including hoodoos, which are tall spires of rock that have been shaped and eroded by the elements over time. Both parks are must-see destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, but each has its own distinct character and charm that sets it apart from the other. Whether you’re a hiker, a photographer, or just someone looking for a breathtaking natural experience, these two parks are sure to impress and leave a lasting impression.
Hiking Trails in Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are both known for their unique landscapes and hiking trails. Both parks offer visitors a wide range of hiking trails, from easy, paved trails to more challenging, backcountry hikes. However, the trails and the terrain at the two parks are quite different.
Badlands National Park has a diverse array of hiking trails, the park’s most popular hike is the Badlands Loop Road which takes visitors through the park’s rugged badlands formations. This hike is relatively easy and can be done in a short amount of time, it is also wheelchair accessible. There are also several other short hikes in the park, such as the Fossil Exhibit Trail, which is an easy, one-mile trail that winds through the park’s fossil beds. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the park’s Castle Trail offers a strenuous 8-mile hike that takes visitors through some of the park’s most rugged terrain.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique hoodoo formations and offers a wide range of hiking trails, with something for all skill levels. The park’s most popular hike is the Queens Garden Trail, which is a relatively easy hike that takes visitors through the heart of the park’s hoodoos. This trail is also wheelchair accessible. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the park’s Peek-a-Boo Loop Trail offers a strenuous 5-mile hike that takes visitors through some of the park’s most remote and rugged terrain. The Navajo Loop Trail is also a challenging trail with steep switchbacks, it is an intense hike which will take visitors through the most iconic hoodoos in the park.
In conclusion, both Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park offer visitors a wide range of hiking trails to explore, each park has its own set of trails which are unique in terms of terrain and difficulty level. Whether you’re looking for an easy hike or a more challenging one, these parks have something for everyone to enjoy.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Badlands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notch Trail | 2092.142 | 39.9288 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Castle Trail | 16898.07 | 95.7072 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| The Door Trail | 1287.472 | 10.9728 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Saddle Pass Trail | 1126.538 | 65.8368 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Medicine Root Loop Trail | 7242.03 | 102.7176 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| The Window Trail | 321.868 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cliff Shelf Nature Trail | 804.67 | 19.812 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Fossil Exhibit Trail | 643.736 | 3.9624 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Sage Creek Loop | 36692.952 | 245.9736 | Hard | loop | 4 |
| Sheep Mountain Table Road | 23496.364 | 180.7464 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail | 4184.284 | 189.8904 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Fairyland Loop Trail | 11909.116 | 469.6968 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Peekaboo Loop Trail | 8368.568 | 442.8744 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Navajo Loop Trail | 2253.076 | 139.9032 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wall Street and Queens Garden Loop Trail | 4988.954 | 175.8696 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Sunset Point to Sunrise Point | 1770.274 | 24.9936 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mossy Cave Turret Arch and Little Windows Trail | 1609.34 | 35.9664 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Queen Victoria via Queen’s Garden Loop | 3379.614 | 123.7488 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Tower Bridge Trail | 5471.756 | 251.7648 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Wall Street and Queens Garden Loop to Peekaboo Loop (Figure Eight Trail) | 10138.842 | 456.8952 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
Wildlife in Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, although the types of animals and plants you’ll see at each park are quite different.
Badlands National Park is known for its large bison herd, which can often be seen grazing on the park’s grasslands. Other common mammal species in the park include pronghorn, bighorn sheep, bison, bighorn sheep, coyote, pronghorn, and prairie dogs. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including golden eagles, hawks, and turkey vultures. Among reptiles, the park is home to rattlesnakes, painted turtles, and bull snakes.
Bryce Canyon National Park, on the other hand, is known for its high altitude and cooler climate, which supports a different set of wildlife. Common mammal species in the park include mule deer, elk, and the occasional mountain lion. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the Steller’s jay, mountain chickadee, and the common raven. Reptiles are less common but you can see the Western rattlesnake, the collard lizard and the Great Basin skink.
In terms of plants, Badlands National Park is home to a variety of grasses, wildflowers, and cacti, while Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its colorful hoodoos, spires and fins of rock, and is home to a variety of conifers, such as Douglas fir, white fir and limber pine, as well as aspens, cottonwoods, and willows.
In summary, both Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are home to a diverse array of wildlife, but the types of animals and plants you’ll see at each park are quite different. Badlands National Park is known for its large bison herd and prairie animals, while Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its high altitude and cooler climate, which supports a different set of wildlife, including elk and mule deer, as well as a variety of bird species. In terms of plants, Badlands National Park is home to a variety of grasses, wildflowers, and cacti, while Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its colorful hoodoos and conifers.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Badlands National Park | Bryce Canyon 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 |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Badlands National Park | Bryce Canyon National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Porcupine | Black Bear |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Porcupine |
| Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Red Fox | Hoary Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
| House | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mountain Lion | House Mouse |
| Mule Deer | Mountain Lion |
| Gray Fox | Mule Deer |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Common Gray Fox |
| Northern Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Badger | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Weasel | American Badger |
| North American River Otter | Ermine |
| Common Shrew | California Myotis |
| Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
Reptiles
| Badlands National Park | Bryce Canyon National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Gophersnake |
| Racer | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Western Rattlesnake | Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Common Garter Snake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Milksnake | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Nightsnake |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink |
Amphibians
| Badlands National Park | Bryce Canyon National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Badlands National Park | Bryce Canyon National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Morning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Check-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Badlands National Park | Bryce Canyon National Park |
|---|---|
| Fathead Minnow | Brook Trout |
| Golden Shiner | |
| European Carp | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub |
Beautiful Landscapes in Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
Badlands National Park is known for its unique and otherworldly landscapes, characterized by layered rock formations, deep canyons, and stark, barren expanses. The park’s most famous landscapes include the Badlands Loop Road, which winds through the heart of the park and offers sweeping views of the layered rock formations. The Pinnacles Overlook is also a must-see destination, offering a panoramic view of the park’s rugged terrain. Other popular sites include the Badlands Wilderness Area, which is home to bighorn sheep and bison, and the Badlands Pinnacles, a cluster of towering rock spires that rise up from the surrounding grasslands.
Bryce Canyon National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its unique geologic structures, known as hoodoos. These tall spires of rock have been shaped and eroded by the elements over time, creating a fantastical landscape that looks like something out of a fairy tale. The park’s most famous landscapes include the Bryce Amphitheater, which is home to the largest concentration of hoodoos in the park and offers an awe-inspiring view of the colorful rock formations. Other popular sites include the Navajo Loop Trail, which winds through a narrow slot canyon and offers up-close views of the hoodoos, and the Rim Trail, which offers a panoramic view of the park from the rim of the canyon. Additionally, the park offers several scenic drives, such as the 18-mile long scenic drive that takes you through the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but the types of activities that are most popular at each park are quite different.
Badlands National Park is known for its hiking and backpacking trails, which offer visitors the opportunity to explore the park’s unique landscapes and wildlife. The park has several easy and short trails, such as the Badlands Loop Road, that are perfect for families and those with limited mobility, as well as longer and more challenging trails, such as the Castle Trail, that are better suited for experienced hikers. The park also offers ranger-led activities, such as guided walks and talks, that provide visitors with an in-depth understanding of the park’s geology, ecology, and history.
Bryce Canyon National Park, on the other hand, is known for its spectacular views and scenic drives, which offer visitors the opportunity to see the park’s colorful hoodoos, spires and fins of rock. The park’s most popular activity is hiking, and it offers a variety of trails, from easy, short hikes that lead to spectacular viewpoints, to longer, more challenging hikes that take visitors down into the canyon. The park also offers scenic drives, such as the 18-mile long Alpine Loop, that provide visitors with breathtaking views of the park’s landscapes.
In addition to hiking and scenic drives, both parks offer other activities such as camping, wildlife viewing, bird watching, and stargazing.
In summary, Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but the types of activities that are most popular at each park are quite different. Badlands National Park is known for its hiking and backpacking trails, while Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its spectacular views and scenic drives. Additionally, both parks offer a variety of activities such as camping, wildlife viewing, bird watching, and stargazing.
Best Time to Visit Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
Badlands National Park, located in South Dakota, experiences a wide range of temperatures throughout the year. The summers can be quite hot, with average temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s Fahrenheit. The park also receives very little rainfall during the summer months, making it a great time to visit if you’re looking to explore the park’s hiking trails and scenic drives. In contrast, the winter months can be quite cold, with average temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s Fahrenheit and occasional snowfall. Visitors should be prepared for freezing temperatures, high winds, and icy road conditions.
Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southern Utah, has a more moderate climate than Badlands National Park. The park experiences warm summers, with average temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s Fahrenheit, and mild winters, with average temperatures in the high 30s to low 40s Fahrenheit. The park receives the most precipitation during the months of July and August, making it a great time to visit if you’re looking to see the park’s iconic hoodoos (tall, skinny spires of rock) in their full glory. However, spring and fall can also be good times to visit, as the park’s temperatures are mild and the crowds are smaller.
In summary, The best time to visit Badlands National Park is in the summer, when temperatures are warm and the park is less crowded. While, Bryce Canyon National Park is great to visit in the summer as well as in spring and fall when the temperatures are mild and the crowds are smaller, and the park is at its most beautiful during the summer months when the park receives the most precipitation.
Family Friendliness of Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
Badlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are both great options for families looking to experience the beauty of nature. However, each park offers unique experiences that may make one more suitable for families than the other.
Badlands National Park, located in South Dakota, is known for its rugged and otherworldly landscapes. The park offers a variety of hiking trails that range from easy, paved paths to more strenuous backcountry hikes. The park also offers a variety of ranger-led programs and educational activities that are great for families with children. The park’s location in the Great Plains also makes it a great destination for wildlife viewing, with bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and bison commonly seen.
Bryce Canyon National Park, located in Utah, is famous for its hoodoos, which are unique rock formations that are shaped like tall spires. The park offers a variety of hiking trails that range from easy, paved paths to more strenuous backcountry hikes. The park’s location in the high desert also makes it a great destination for stargazing, with some of the darkest skies in the country. The park’s location in the high desert also makes it a great destination for wildlife viewing, with mule deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep commonly seen.
Both parks have great options for families to explore, but depending on what you’re looking for, one might be more suitable than the other. If you’re looking for more rugged landscapes and wildlife viewing, Badlands National Park might be the best option. If you’re looking for unique rock formations and stargazing, Bryce Canyon National Park might be the better choice.