Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are two of America’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Both parks offer unique landscapes and experiences that will leave you breathless. Badlands National Park is home to a rugged, otherworldly terrain of layered rock formations, deep canyons, and towering spires. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, on the other hand, is a subterranean wonderland of limestone caves, underground lakes, and sparkling crystal formations. Whether you’re a nature lover, a hiking enthusiast, or simply looking for a one-of-a-kind adventure, both Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are sure to leave a lasting impression. So come along with us as we explore the beauty, history and fun of these two amazing parks and discover which one is perfect for your next adventure.
Hiking Trails in Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are both known for their unique and diverse landscapes, but the hiking trails at each park offer very different experiences.
Badlands National Park is home to a wide variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. Some of the most popular hikes include the Badlands Loop Road, which offers stunning views of the park’s rugged terrain, and the Castle Trail, which takes visitors through a maze of eroded rock formations. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Notch Trail offers a steep climb to the top of a Badlands formation with stunning views of the surrounding area.
On the other hand, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is known for its underground hiking trails. The park’s main attraction is the Big Room, a massive limestone cave that can only be accessed by a steep, winding trail. The trail is relatively easy and offers visitors the opportunity to explore one of the largest and most spectacular limestone caves in the world. Other trails include the Natural Entrance Trail, an easy hike that leads to the Big Room and the Left Hand Tunnel Trail, a strenuous hike that takes visitors through a remote section of the cave.
Overall, Badlands National Park is perfect for those who want to experience the beauty of rugged terrain, while Carlsbad Caverns National Park is ideal for those who want to explore underground caves and caverns. Both parks are great options for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
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 Carlsbad Caverns National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park Trail | 1287.472 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 5 |
| North Slaughter Canyon Trail | 17863.674 | 469.6968 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Carlsbad Caverns Highway to Carlsbad Caverns National Park | 23657.298 | 309.9816 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Juniper Ridge Trail | 3057.746 | 140.8176 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Yucca Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 443.7888 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Slaughter Canyon Cave Trail | 1609.34 | 140.8176 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Rattlesnake Canyon | 8690.436 | 207.8736 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Walnut Canyon Trail | 482.802 | 7.9248 | Easy | out and back | 2.5 |
Wildlife in Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are both known for their unique and diverse wildlife. However, the types of wildlife you will see at each park will vary greatly due to the vastly different habitats and ecosystems.
At Badlands National Park, you’ll find a wide variety of animals, including bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and coyotes. The park is also home to a wide variety of birds, such as the golden eagle, the ferruginous hawk, and the burrowing owl. The park also has a diverse array of plants, including cacti, sagebrush, and prairie grasses.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, on the other hand, is known for its underground wildlife. The park’s main attraction is the Carlsbad Caverns, a limestone cave system with over 119 known caves. The caverns are home to a wide variety of bats, including the Mexican free-tailed bat, the Eastern cave bat, and the Townsend’s big-eared bat. The park also has a diverse array of cave-dwelling insects and spiders, such as the cave crickets, cave beetles, and cave spiders.
In summary, while Badlands National Park is known for its above-ground wildlife, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is known for its underground wildlife. Visitors to Badlands National Park can expect to see a wide variety of animals, birds, and plants, while visitors to Carlsbad Caverns National Park can expect to see a wide variety of bats, insects, and spiders. Both parks offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences, making them both worth visiting.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Badlands National Park | Carlsbad Caverns 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 | Carlsbad Caverns 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 | Deer Mouse |
| Deer Mouse | Raccoon |
| Raccoon | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | House Mouse |
| House | Mountain Lion |
| Mountain Lion | Mule Deer |
| Mule Deer | Common Gray Fox |
| Gray Fox | Gray Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Northern Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Badger | American Badger |
| Weasel | California Myotis |
| North American River Otter | Fringed Myotis |
| Common Shrew | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
Reptiles
| Badlands National Park | Carlsbad Caverns National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Sonoran Gophersnake |
| Racer | Eastern Racer |
| Western Rattlesnake | Green Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Common Garter Snake | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | Common Gartersnake |
| Milksnake | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Common Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Desert Kingsnake | |
| Texas Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| New Mexico Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Big Bend Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Badlands National Park | Carlsbad Caverns National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Barred Tiger Salamander |
| Tiger Salamander | American Bullfrog |
| Bullfrog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Red-Spotted Toad |
| Plains Spadefoot | Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Badlands National Park | Carlsbad Caverns 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 | Carlsbad Caverns National Park |
|---|---|
| Fathead Minnow | Largemouth Bass |
| Golden Shiner | Green Sunfish |
| European Carp | Mosquitofish |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub |
Beautiful Landscapes in Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are both natural wonders that offer visitors a diverse range of landscapes and experiences. Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota and is known for its unique and rugged terrain of layered rock formations, deep canyons, and towering spires. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs. The Badlands Loop Road is a must-see for visitors, offering breathtaking views of the park’s dramatic landscapes.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located in New Mexico, is famous for its massive underground caves and caverns, which can be explored via guided tours. The park is home to over 119 known caves, the most famous of which is the Carlsbad Cavern. Visitors can also hike on the park’s surface trails to see beautiful desert landscapes, rock formations, and an array of wildlife such as bats, rattlesnakes, and roadrunners. The park also offers an evening Bat Flight Program which is a must-see for visitors.
Both parks offer visitors an opportunity to explore unique landscapes and natural wonders, but the main difference between the two is the focus on above and below ground experiences. While Badlands National Park is known for its rugged above-ground landscapes and wildlife, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is known for its awe-inspiring underground caves and caverns.
Things To-Do and Activities in Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park offer vastly different experiences for visitors.
At Badlands National Park, the most popular activities include hiking, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing. The park’s rugged terrain and colorful rock formations make for a unique hiking experience. Visitors can explore the park’s many trails and enjoy the breathtaking views from the park’s overlooks. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, as the park is home to bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and coyotes, among other animals.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the main attraction is the cave system. The park is home to one of the largest and most spectacular limestone cave systems in the world. Visitors can take guided tours of the caverns and see the unique and colorful formations within the caves. The park also offers a self-guided tour, where visitors can explore the caves at their own pace. Additionally, the park offers ranger-led tours, bat flights, and cave talks.
The best time to visit Badlands National Park is during the spring and fall months, when temperatures are milder and the wildflowers are in bloom. The park can be extremely hot during the summer months, so visitors should plan accordingly. The best time to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park is during the summer and fall months, when temperatures are milder and the bats are active. The caves are open year-round, but some of the tours are not offered during the winter months.
Best Time to Visit Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are both located in the western United States and have distinct differences in weather patterns. Badlands National Park, located in South Dakota, experiences hot summers with temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and cold winters with temperatures dropping below freezing. The park is best visited in spring or fall when temperatures are milder and the landscapes are vibrant with wildflowers or fall foliage.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located in New Mexico, also experiences hot summers with temperatures reaching up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but the park also experiences mild winters with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. The park is also best visited in spring or fall when temperatures are milder and the caverns are less crowded. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy the underground limestone caves, which are constantly cool and comfortable.
In summary, both parks are great to visit in Spring and Fall, however, Carlsbad Caverns National Park can be visited year-round as the caverns provide a cool and comfortable climate.
Family Friendliness of Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Both Badlands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are great places to visit with children, but they offer different types of experiences that may appeal to different families.
Badlands National Park is generally considered to be more family-friendly than Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The park has several designated trails and overlooks that are suitable for families, including the Badlands Loop Road, which is a paved road that offers stunning views of the park’s unique geological formations. The park also has a Junior Ranger program, where children can earn a badge by completing a booklet of activities related to the park’s ecology, geology, and history. Additionally, the park offers ranger-led programs and educational activities for children.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is also a great place to visit with children, but it may be more challenging for families with young children. The park’s main attraction is the Carlsbad Cavern, which requires a significant amount of walking and stair-climbing to explore. Additionally, the cave’s temperature is constant at 56°F (13°C) and humidity is high, making it less comfortable for children. However, the park does offer a Junior Ranger program, and ranger-led programs as well.
In summary, Badlands National Park is more family-friendly overall, with more trails and outdoor activities that are suitable for children of all ages. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is also a great place to visit with children, but it may be more challenging for families with young children due to the nature of the cave and the walking required.