Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are two of the most diverse and unique national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a wide range of activities and natural wonders that will leave you in awe. Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota and is known for its rugged and otherworldly landscapes, while Kenai Fjords National Park is located in Alaska and is known for its stunning glaciers and abundant marine wildlife. Both parks offer a chance to explore the great outdoors and witness some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the country. Whether you’re a nature lover, an adventurer, or a photographer, these two parks have something to offer for everyone. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for an unforgettable journey as we take you through the wonders of Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park.
Hiking Trails in Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Badlands National Park and Kenai Fords National Park offer visitors a variety of hiking trails to explore.
Badlands National Park offers a range of hiking trails that vary in difficulty. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Door Trail, which is a 0.25-mile boardwalk that leads through a narrow canyon, and the Window Trail, which is a 0.5-mile round-trip hike that offers great views of the park’s rock formations. For visitors looking for a more challenging hike, the Castle Trail is a 2.5-mile round-trip hike that leads through the park’s rugged terrain, and the Badlands Loop Road is a 30-mile drive that offers several short hikes to different viewpoints.
Kenai Fjords National Park is home to a variety of hikes, ranging from easy to strenuous. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Exit Glacier Nature Trail, which is a 0.8-mile round-trip hike to the edge of the glacier, and the Harding Icefield Trail, which is a 8.2-mile round-trip hike that offers great views of the Harding Icefield. For visitors looking for a more challenging hike, the Marmot Meadows Trail is a 10.4-mile round-trip hike that offers an strenuous uphill climb and the Saddle Trail is a 7.2-mile round-trip hike, offering a strenuous hike with steep grades and an elevation gain of 3,000 ft, leading to great views of the park and the ocean.
In conclusion, both Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park offer visitors a wide variety of hiking trails to explore, ranging from easy to strenuous. Both parks offer easy hikes, such as the Door Trail at Badlands National Park and the Exit Glacier Nature Trail at Kenai Fjords National Park, and more challenging hikes such as the Castle Trail at Badlands National Park and the Marmot Meadows Trail and Saddle Trail at Kenai Fjords National Park.
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 Kenai Fjords National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, but the types of animals, birds, and plants you will see in each park are different.
Badlands National Park is known for its bison, pronghorns, bighorn sheep, and coyotes, as well as its diverse bird population, which includes golden eagles, swift foxes, and burrowing owls. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles and insects, including rattlesnakes and monarch butterflies. In addition to the park’s native wildlife, visitors may also see bison and pronghorn that were reintroduced to the park.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is known for its marine wildlife, including sea otters, seals, sea lions, and whales. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, such as puffins, guillemots, and murres, as well as the bald eagle and the osprey. The park also has black bears, coyotes, lynx and wolves. The park’s glaciers and ice fields provide a unique habitat for plants such as mosses and lichens.
In summary, while Badlands National Park is known for its diverse array of terrestrial wildlife, Kenai Fjords National Park is known for its marine wildlife and birds, as well as its glaciers and ice fields. Both parks offer unique opportunities to see a variety of animals, birds, and plants in their natural habitats.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Badlands National Park | Kenai Fjords 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Badlands National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | Mink |
| Raccoon | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Porcupine | Gray Wolf |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Hoary Bat | California Myotis |
| Red Fox | Snowshoe Hare |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Northern River Otter |
| House | Masked Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Red Squirrel |
| Mule Deer | Montane Shrew |
| Gray Fox | Lynx |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Wolverine |
| Northern Myotis | American Marten |
| Badger | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Weasel | Brown Bear |
| North American River Otter | Meadow Mouse |
| Common Shrew | Moose |
| Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Pygmy Shrew |
Reptiles
| Badlands National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Badlands National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Badlands National Park | Kenai Fjords 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 | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Fathead Minnow | Redband Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Longnose Sucker |
| European Carp | Burbot |
| Longnose Dace | Silver Salmon |
| Yellow Bullhead | Chinook Salmon |
| Channel Catfish | Slimy Sculpin |
| Black Bullhead | Threespine Stickleback |
| Creek Chub | Red Salmon |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden |
Beautiful Landscapes in Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Badlands National Park is known for its unique and otherworldly landscapes. The park’s most famous landscapes include the Badlands formations, which are made up of layered rock formations that have been shaped by erosion over millions of years. These formations are a mix of colors, from deep reds to vibrant oranges, and are a sight to behold. The park also has several overlooks, such as the Badlands Loop Road, which offers stunning views of the formations and the surrounding prairie. The park also has several hiking trails that take visitors through the Badlands formations, including the Door Trail and the Notch Trail.
Kenai Fjords National Park is known for its stunning glaciers and abundant marine wildlife. The park’s most famous landscapes include the Harding Icefield, which is the largest ice field in the United States and covers an area of over 300 square miles. The park also offers several boat tours that take visitors to the glaciers, such as the Aialik Glacier and the Holgate Glacier, where visitors can see the glaciers up close and even hear the ice cracking and calving. The park also has several hiking trails, such as the Exit Glacier Trail, that take visitors to the glaciers and offer stunning views of the ice field. The park also has a diverse array of marine wildlife, such as sea otters, harbor seals, and whales, which can be seen on boat tours and from the shore.
Things To-Do and Activities in Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but the most popular activities at each park differ.
At Badlands National Park, visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. The park has several hiking trails that range in difficulty, including the easy, paved Badlands Loop Road, and the strenuous, unpaved Castle Trail. Camping is also a popular activity in the park, with several campgrounds and backcountry sites available for visitors. Wildlife viewing is also a favorite activity, as the park is home to a diverse array of animals, including bison, pronghorns, bighorn sheep, and coyotes.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, visitors can enjoy activities such as kayaking, boat tours, camping, and hiking. The park’s stunning glaciers and fjords are best viewed by boat, and several tour companies offer guided boat tours of the park’s glaciers, bays, and fjords. Kayaking and canoeing also offer a unique way to explore the park, and visitors can rent kayaks and canoes in the park. Hiking is also a popular activity in the park, with several trails that lead to stunning views of the park’s glaciers and fjords. Camping is also an option in the park, with several campgrounds available for visitors.
In summary, while Badlands National Park is known for its hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, Kenai Fjords National Park is known for its boat tours, kayaking, and hiking. Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy, but the focus of the activities is different.
Best Time to Visit Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park have different climates and weather patterns that can affect when is the best time of year to visit.
Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota and has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The park’s summer season, from June to August, is the best time to visit if you want to enjoy warm temperatures and clear skies. The park’s peak season is in June, July, and August when temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The park’s winter season, from December to February, can be cold with temperatures ranging from 0 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and the park can be covered with snow, making hiking and other activities more difficult.
Kenai Fjords National Park is located in Alaska and has a subarctic climate with cool summers and cold winters. The park’s summer season, from May to September, is the best time to visit if you want to see the park’s wildlife, such as bears, whales, and seals, and enjoy the park’s beautiful scenery. The park’s peak season is from June to August when temperatures can reach up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit and the park’s glaciers, fjords, and wildlife are at their most active. The park’s winter season, from October to April, can be very cold with temperatures ranging from -20 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and the park can be covered with snow, making hiking and other activities more difficult. Also, the park’s visitors center and some of the facilities are closed during winter season.
In conclusion, both Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy different types of weather and activities depending on the season. Badlands National Park is best visited during the summer months for warm temperatures and clear skies, while Kenai Fjords National Park is best visited during the summer months for the chance to see the park’s wildlife and enjoy the park’s beautiful scenery. Keep in mind that visiting Kenai Fjords during the winter season will be more limited in terms of accessibility and activities.
Family Friendliness of Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Badlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both great options for families, but they offer different types of experiences.
Badlands National Park is a great place for families who enjoy hiking and exploring unique landscapes. The park has several easy hiking trails that are suitable for children, such as the Door Trail and the Badlands Loop Road, which offer great views of the Badlands formations. The park also has a visitors center that has educational displays and ranger-led programs that are appropriate for children.
Kenai Fjords National Park is a great place for families who enjoy marine wildlife and boat tours. The park offers several boat tours that are suitable for children, such as the Aialik Glacier and the Holgate Glacier, where visitors can see glaciers and marine wildlife up close. The park also has several hiking trails that are suitable for children, such as the Exit Glacier Trail, which offers great views of the Harding Icefield. The park also has a visitors center that has educational displays and ranger-led programs that are appropriate for children.
Both parks have picnic areas and restroom facilities, making them comfortable for families. However, the Kenai Fjords National Park is a better option for families who are looking for marine wildlife and boat tours and Badlands National Park is a better option for families who are looking for unique landscapes and hiking.