Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park are two of the most unique and awe-inspiring places in the American Southwest. Both parks offer visitors a chance to explore rugged wilderness, witness breathtaking landscapes, and encounter a diverse array of wildlife. However, each park has its own distinct character and offers a different type of experience. Badlands National Park is known for its striking badlands formations, vast prairies, and diverse array of wildlife. Canyonlands National Park, on the other hand, is a wonderland of canyons, mesas, and buttes that have been carved by the Colorado and Green rivers over millions of years. Whether you’re a nature lover, a photography enthusiast, or just looking for a new adventure, these two parks are sure to impress and inspire. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore the rugged beauty of the Badlands and Canyonlands!
Hiking Trails in Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park are both popular destinations for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, but the hiking trails at each park offer different experiences and challenges.
Badlands National Park is known for its unique landscapes, which consist of layered rock formations, deep canyons, and rugged badlands. The park offers several easy and short trails, such as the Badlands Loop Road, that are perfect for families and those with limited mobility. These trails offer visitors the opportunity to explore the park’s geology and wildlife, and provide spectacular views of the park’s landscapes. Additionally, the park also offers longer and more challenging trails, such as the Castle Trail, that are better suited for experienced hikers. These trails take visitors through the park’s rugged terrain, and provide an in-depth understanding of the park’s geology, ecology, and history.
Canyonlands National Park, on the other hand, is known for its vast and rugged landscapes, which consist of deep canyons, towering mesas, and colorful sandstone formations. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, from easy, short hikes that lead to spectacular viewpoints, to longer, more challenging hikes that take visitors deep into the park’s rugged terrain. The park’s most popular hike is the Island in the Sky which is a moderate hike that offers visitors panoramic views of the park. Additionally, the park also offers longer and more challenging hikes such as the Chesler Park and Elephant Canyon Loop, which is a strenuous hike that takes visitors through narrow canyons and rugged terrain.
In summary, both Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park are popular destinations for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, but the hiking trails at each park offer different experiences and challenges. Badlands National Park is known for its unique landscapes and offers a variety of easy and short trails that are perfect for families, as well as longer and more challenging trails for experienced hikers. Canyonlands National Park, on the other hand, is known for its vast and rugged landscapes and offers a variety of hiking trails, from easy, short hikes that lead to spectacular viewpoints, to longer, more challenging hikes that take visitors deep into the park’s rugged terrain.
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 Canyonlands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa Arch Trail | 965.604 | 18.8976 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Grand View Point Trail | 2896.812 | 52.7304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chesler Park Loop Trail | 18668.344 | 589.788 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| False Kiva Trail | 3057.746 | 136.8552 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Upheaval Dome via Crater View Trail | 2414.01 | 91.7448 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Aztec Butte Trail | 2092.142 | 66.7512 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Druid Arch Trail | 15288.73 | 418.7952 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Shafer Trail | 30899.328 | 949.7568 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| White Rim Overlook Trail | 2896.812 | 48.768 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Syncline Loop | 13840.324 | 496.824 | Very Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park both offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities.
At Badlands National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of animals such as bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and coyotes. The park is also home to a large population of prairie dogs, which are popular among visitors. There are also a variety of bird species that can be seen in the park, including the golden eagle, the ferruginous hawk, and the swift fox. You can also find a diverse range of plants and flowers in the park, including cacti, wildflowers, and prairie grasses.
Canyonlands National Park is also home to a variety of animals, including desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, and wild horses. The park is also a great spot for bird watching, with species such as the golden eagle, the peregrine falcon, and the American dipper. In the park, visitors will also find a variety of plants and flowers, such as yucca, cacti, and wildflowers. The park also offers a unique opportunity to see the elusive desert tortoise.
Overall, both parks offer a chance to see diverse range of wildlife, with different species being more prevalent in one park than the other. While Badlands National Park is known for its prairie dog population, Canyonlands National Park is known for its desert tortoise population.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Badlands National Park | Canyonlands 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 | Canyonlands 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 | American Mink |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Mule Deer |
| Northern Myotis | Common Gray Fox |
| Badger | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Weasel | Long-Eared Myotis |
| North American River Otter | American Badger |
| Common Shrew | Ermine |
| Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | California Myotis |
Reptiles
| Badlands National Park | Canyonlands National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Gophersnake |
| Racer | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Western Rattlesnake | Eastern Racer |
| Common Garter Snake | Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Milksnake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Badlands National Park | Canyonlands National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Bullfrog | American Bullfrog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Plains Spadefoot | Red-Spotted Toad |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Insects
| Badlands National Park | Canyonlands 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 | Canyonlands National Park |
|---|---|
| Fathead Minnow | Rainbow Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Brown Trout |
| European Carp | Largemouth Bass |
| Longnose Dace | Green Sunfish |
| Yellow Bullhead | Bluegill |
| Channel Catfish | Fathead Minnow |
| Black Bullhead | Common Carp |
| Creek Chub | Northern Pike |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Kokanee Salmon | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Beautiful Landscapes in Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Badlands National Park is known for its striking badlands formations, which consist of layered rock formations that have been shaped by millions of years of erosion. These formations include colorful layers of rock, clay, and sandstone that have been sculpted into unique shapes and patterns. Visitors can explore these formations on several hiking trails, including the Badlands Loop Road and the Castle Trail.
Canyonlands National Park is known for its canyons, mesas, and buttes that have been carved by the Colorado and Green rivers over millions of years. The park is divided into three main areas: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze. Island in the Sky is the most visited area, offering panoramic views of the surrounding canyons, mesas, and rivers. The Needles area is known for its red rock spires, while The Maze is the most remote and rugged part of the park. Visitors can explore these landscapes via hiking trails, scenic drives, and river trips.
Both parks also offer unique landscapes that are different from each other. Badlands National Park offers a vast prairie with bison, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn, while Canyonlands National Park offers a unique view of the Colorado river winding through the canyons. Each park has its own unique beauty and natural features that visitors can explore and enjoy.
Things To-Do and Activities in Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park are both popular national parks known for their unique landscapes and outdoor activities. Both parks offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, but the types of activities and the landscapes of the two parks are quite different.
At Badlands National Park, visitors can enjoy hiking, backpacking, and wildlife watching. The park is known for its striking badlands formations, which are made up of layered rock formations that have been shaped by erosion. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives, such as the Badlands Loop Road, which takes visitors through the heart of the park and provides access to many of the park’s most popular hiking trails.
Canyonlands National Park, on the other hand, is known for its vast canyons and towering mesas. Visitors can enjoy hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing in the park, as well as scenic drives, such as the Island in the Sky scenic drive, which provides panoramic views of the park’s canyons and mesas. Visitors can also take guided river trips on the Colorado and Green Rivers, which run through the park.
Both Badlands and Canyonlands National Park are great for families and children, but the type of activities and landscapes may be more appropriate for different ages. Badlands National Park is more beginner friendly with a great scenic drive and easy hiking trails, while Canyonlands National Park offers more challenging activities such as backpacking and rock climbing, and also offers more remote location that may not be as accessible for some families.
Best Time to Visit Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park are both located in the western United States and have distinct seasonal weather patterns that affect when the best time of year to visit each park is.
Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota and has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The park’s summer months of June, July, and August are the warmest, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. These months are also the park’s busiest, with many visitors coming to enjoy the park’s hiking trails and scenic drives. Spring and fall are generally considered the best times to visit the park, as the weather is milder, and the park’s wildflowers and fall colors are in full bloom. Winter can be cold with temperatures dropping below freezing, but the park is still open to visitors who can enjoy the park’s winter landscapes and watch for wildlife.
Canyonlands National Park, on the other hand, is located in Utah and has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park’s summer months of June, July, and August are the warmest, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. These months are also the park’s busiest, with many visitors coming to enjoy the park’s hiking trails and scenic drives. Spring and fall are generally considered the best times to visit the park, as the weather is milder, and the park’s wildflowers and fall colors are in full bloom. Winter can be chilly with occasional snow, but the park is still open to visitors who can enjoy the park’s winter landscapes and watch for wildlife.
In summary, Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park have distinct seasonal weather patterns that affect when the best time of year to visit each park is. Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota and has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters, while Canyonlands National Park is located in Utah and has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Spring and fall are generally considered the best times to visit both parks as the weather is milder, and the parks’ wildflowers and fall colors are in full bloom. However, visitors should be aware that summer months are the warmest and busiest time to visit both parks.
Family Friendliness of Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Both Badlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park offer unique and beautiful landscapes that are sure to delight visitors of all ages. However, the level of accessibility and family-friendliness of the two parks does vary.
Badlands National Park offers a variety of short, easy hikes that are suitable for families with young children. The Badlands Loop Road is a great option for a scenic drive, and there are several overlooks along the way where families can stop and take in the stunning views. The park also offers several ranger-led programs that are geared towards children, such as Junior Ranger activities.
Canyonlands National Park, on the other hand, has more rugged terrain and longer, more strenuous hikes. While the park offers some shorter hikes, such as the Mesa Arch Trail, many of the park’s most popular hikes are several miles long and involve steep elevation changes. The park also has limited services and amenities, which may not be suitable for families with very young children.
Overall, while both parks are beautiful and offer unique experiences, Badlands National Park is generally considered to be more family-friendly due to its easy hiking trails and ranger-led programs. While Canyonlands National Park may be more challenging for families, it offers a more rugged and remote experience for those who are up for it.