Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park are two of the most unique and awe-inspiring national parks in the United States. Both parks offer visitors a chance to explore some of the most rugged and remote wilderness in the country, but in vastly different ways. Badlands National Park is known for its striking rock formations and rugged terrain, while Death Valley National Park is known for its vast deserts and extreme temperatures. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or an adventure seeker, these two parks have something to offer everyone. From the towering spires of Badlands National Park to the vast expanses of Death Valley National Park, these two parks are sure to leave you in awe and wanting to explore more. So, pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable journey through the Badlands and Death Valley National Parks!
Hiking Trails in Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park
Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park are two national parks that offer visitors a wide range of hiking experiences. Both parks feature unique landscapes and offer a variety of trails to suit different skill levels and interests.
At Badlands National Park, visitors can explore the park’s rugged terrain on a variety of hiking trails. Some of the easiest trails include the Door Trail, which offers a short, easy hike with great views of the Badlands formations, and the Fossil Exhibit Trail, a paved trail that takes visitors through a display of fossilized animals and plants. For those looking for a bit more of a challenge, the Castle Trail is a moderate hike that offers great views of the Badlands formations, while the Badlands Loop Road offers a scenic drive through the park’s unique landscapes.
Death Valley National Park, on the other hand, offers some of the most challenging hikes in the park system. Some of the hardest trails include the Golden Canyon-Gower Gulch Loop, which is a strenuous hike that takes visitors through a colorful canyon and up to a viewpoint overlooking the valley. Another challenging hike is the Telescope Peak trail, the highest point in the park which offers a strenuous hike to the summit with panoramic views of the park. For those looking for an easier hike, the Mosaic Canyon trail is a moderate hike that takes visitors through a narrow canyon with polished marble walls, and the Salt Creek trail is an easy hike that takes visitors through a desert oasis where they can see pupfish and other unique desert wildlife.
In summary, while both Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park offer visitors the opportunity to experience unique landscapes and a variety of hiking trails, the trails at each park vary in difficulty. Badlands National Park offers a mix of easy and moderate trails, while Death Valley National Park offers a mix of challenging and moderate hikes.
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 Death Valley National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail | 2896.812 | 2.7432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Trail | 4506.152 | 62.7888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Zabriskie Point | 643.736 | 15.8496 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dante’s View Trail | 2574.944 | 109.728 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Telescope Peak Trail | 19312.08 | 1012.8504 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Golden Canyon Trail to Red Cathedral | 4667.086 | 174.9552 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch Loop via Zabriskie Point | 9334.172 | 332.8416 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Mosaic Canyon Trail | 5632.69 | 324.9168 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Death Valley Natural Bridge Road | 6920.162 | 304.8 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Darwin Falls Trail via Old Toll Road | 3057.746 | 68.8848 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park
Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park are both known for their unique and diverse wildlife. However, the types of animals, birds, and plants you’ll see at each park can vary quite significantly.
Badlands National Park is home to a wide variety of animals, including bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and pronghorns. Visitors might also spot mountain lions, bobcats, and foxes, but these animals are more elusive and not as commonly seen. The park also has a healthy population of birds, including hawks, eagles, and falcons, as well as a variety of waterfowl, songbirds, and shorebirds.
Death Valley National Park, on the other hand, is known for its harsh desert environment, which supports a different set of wildlife. Visitors to Death Valley might see bighorn sheep, coyotes, desert tortoises, and kit foxes. The park also has a large population of birds, including golden eagles, roadrunners, and several species of hawks and falcons. Additionally, Death Valley is home to a number of reptiles, including lizards and snakes.
In terms of plants, Badlands National Park is home to a variety of grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs that thrive in the park’s grasslands and prairies. Visitors might also spot cacti, yucca, and other desert-loving plants, but these are not as common as in Death Valley. On the other hand, Death Valley is known for its unique and diverse plant life, with several species of cacti, Joshua trees, and other desert-adapted plants.
In conclusion, both Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park offer visitors the chance to see a wide variety of wildlife, but the types of animals, birds, and plants you’ll see can vary quite significantly depending on the park. Badlands National Park is a more grassland and prairie environment, while Death Valley is a desert environment.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Badlands National Park | Death Valley 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 | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Muskrat |
| Muskrat | Big Brown Bat |
| Big Brown Bat | Bobcat |
| Bobcat | Little Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Deer Mouse |
| Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
| Deer Mouse | Porcupine |
| Raccoon | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Porcupine | Hoary Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | House Mouse |
| Hoary Bat | Mountain Lion |
| Red Fox | Mule Deer |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Gray Fox |
| House | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Mountain Lion | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Mule Deer | Badger |
| Gray Fox | Californian Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Fringed Myotis |
| Northern Myotis | Common Shrew |
| Badger | Mexican Free-Tailed Bat |
| Weasel | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| North American River Otter | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Common Shrew | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Western Small-Footed Myotis |
Reptiles
| Badlands National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Racer | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Western Rattlesnake | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | Common Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Milksnake | Rubber Boa |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Smith������S Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Badlands National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Tiger Salamander | Canyon Treefrog |
| Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Badlands National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Monarch | Monarch Butterfly |
| American Painted Lady | American Lady |
| Red Admiral | Red Admiral |
| Morning Cloak | Mourning Cloak |
| Cabbage White | Cabbage White |
| Silvery Blue | Silvery Blue |
| Common Check-Skipper | Common Checkered-Skipper |
| Clouded Sulphur | Clouded Sulphur |
| Honey Bee | Honey Bee |
| Variegated Fritillary | Variegated Fritillary |
| Commom Wood Nymph | Buckeye |
| Purplish Copper | Purplish Copper |
| Anise Swallowtail | Gray Hairstreak |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Badlands National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Fathead Minnow | Largemouth Bass |
| Golden Shiner | Mosquitofish |
| European Carp | Goldfish |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub |
Beautiful Landscapes in Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park
Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park both offer visitors a chance to explore some of the most unique and diverse landscapes in the country.
Badlands National Park is known for its striking rock formations and rugged terrain. The park’s most famous landscapes include the Badlands Loop Road, which offers visitors a chance to see the park’s colorful rock formations, including layered rock formations, deep canyons and towering spires. The park also offers a number of hiking trails that take visitors through the heart of the park’s rugged terrain, including the Badlands Loop Trail and the Castle Trail.
Death Valley National Park is known for its vast deserts and extreme temperatures. The park’s most famous landscapes include the vast expanse of the valley floor, which is home to some of the most unique and diverse ecosystems in the world. Visitors can see sand dunes, salt flats, and rocky mountains, as well as unique rock formations like the Devil’s Golf Course, Artist’s Drive and Zabriskie Point. The park also offers a number of hiking trails that take visitors through the heart of the park, including the Golden Canyon Trail, the Mosaic Canyon Trail, and the Titus Canyon Road.
Both parks offer visitors a chance to see some of the most unique and diverse landscapes in the country, but they offer it in different ways. The Badlands is known for its rugged terrain and striking rock formations, while Death Valley is known for its vast deserts and extreme temperatures.
Things To-Do and Activities in Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park
Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but the types of activities that visitors enjoy at each park can vary quite significantly.
Badlands National Park is known for its rugged and remote wilderness, which offers visitors a wide range of outdoor activities. The most popular activities at the park include hiking and backpacking, as there are many trails that offer visitors the chance to explore the park’s rugged terrain and diverse ecosystems. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives and wildlife watching, as the park is home to a wide variety of animals, including bison, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn. Additionally, the park offers a variety of ranger-led activities and educational programs, such as guided walks and talks, as well as a Junior Ranger program for children.
Death Valley National Park, on the other hand, is known for its vast deserts and unique geologic features. The most popular activities at the park include scenic drives and wildlife watching, as the park offers visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of desert animals and plants. Hiking and backpacking are also popular activities, as there are many trails that offer visitors the chance to explore the park’s diverse desert landscapes. Additionally, the park offers ranger-led activities and educational programs, such as guided walks and talks, as well as a Junior Ranger program for children. Camping is another popular activity in the park, as the park has several campgrounds that offer visitors the chance to experience the park’s rugged wilderness and starry night skies.
In conclusion, both Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park offer visitors a wide range of outdoor activities, but the types of activities that visitors enjoy at each park can vary quite significantly. Badlands National Park is more of a rugged wilderness park with many hiking and backpacking trails, while Death Valley is more known for its vast deserts and unique geologic features, with many scenic drives and wildlife watching opportunities. Both parks also offer ranger-led activities and educational programs for visitors of all ages.
Best Time to Visit Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park
Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park are two national parks that offer visitors vastly different weather experiences, depending on the time of year.
Badlands National Park, located in South Dakota, has four distinct seasons. Summers can be hot with temperatures reaching up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while winters can be very cold with temperatures dropping below freezing. Spring and fall are the best times to visit the park as temperatures are milder, and the park’s wildflowers and fall colors are at their best. The park’s visitors center and some facilities are open year-round, although some road closures may happen due to snow.
Death Valley National Park, located in California and Nevada, is known for its extreme temperatures. Summer temperatures can reach up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, making it one of the hottest places in the world. Winters are milder with temperatures in the 60s and 70s, making it the best time to visit the park. Visitors should also be prepared for extreme heat in the park and should bring plenty of water and sunscreen. The park is open year-round, but some facilities and roads may be closed during the hottest months.
In summary, while both parks offer unique weather experiences, the best time to visit Badlands National Park is during the spring and fall, while the best time to visit Death Valley National Park is during the winter. Visitors should plan accordingly and be prepared for the extreme weather conditions at both parks.
Family Friendliness of Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park
Both Badlands National Park and Death Valley National Park are great options for families looking to explore the great outdoors, but each park offers different experiences for visitors.
Badlands National Park is generally considered to be more family-friendly than Death Valley National Park. The park offers a number of easy, short hikes that are great for children, such as the Door Trail, which takes visitors to a unique rock formation, and the Badlands Loop Road, which offers a scenic drive through the park’s rugged terrain. The park also has a visitor center with educational exhibits and a Junior Ranger Program that is perfect for children.
Death Valley National Park can be a bit more challenging for families with young children. The park is known for its extreme temperatures, which can be difficult for children to handle. Additionally, the park’s hiking trails can be longer and more strenuous than those at Badlands National Park. However, families with older children or with a sense of adventure will still find that the park offers a lot to explore. The park is also a great option for families who want to take in the beautiful views of the desert and the unique rock formations.
Overall, Badlands National Park is a more family-friendly option than Death Valley National Park. But, if you’re traveling with older children or are looking for a more adventurous experience, Death Valley National Park is still a great option to visit.