Badlands National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are two of the most unique and awe-inspiring national parks in the United States. Both parks offer visitors the chance to explore diverse landscapes, rich in natural beauty, and abundant wildlife. Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota, and is known for its rugged, otherworldly terrain, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska, and is known for its stunning glacial lakes and rugged mountains. Whether you’re a nature lover, a photographer, or an adventure seeker, these two parks are sure to leave you in awe and wanting more. From the rugged terrain of Badlands to the pristine wilderness of Lake Clark, these two parks offer visitors the opportunity to experience the very best of America’s wild places. With so much to see and do, it’s hard to decide which park to visit first. Read on to discover which park is the perfect fit for your next adventure!
Hiking Trails in Badlands National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Badlands National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve both offer a wide variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. Badlands National Park has several easy trails that are perfect for families with young children or those looking for a leisurely hike. The Badlands Loop Road is an easy drive that takes visitors through the park’s rugged terrain and offers several pull-offs for hiking. The Door Trail is another easy hike that takes visitors through a unique rock formation.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve also has several easy hikes that are perfect for families. The Telaquana Trail is a 2.5-mile hike that offers beautiful views of the Telaquana Lake and the surrounding mountains. The Tanalian Trail is a 3-mile hike that takes visitors through the park’s dense forest and offers great bird watching opportunities.
In contrast, Badlands National Park also offers some of the most challenging hikes in the park. The Castle Trail is a strenuous hike that takes visitors to the top of a tall rock formation for stunning views of the park. The Notch Trail is another challenging hike that takes visitors through a narrow rock formation.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve also has some challenging hikes for the more experienced hikers. The Twin Lakes Trail is a strenuous hike that takes visitors to the top of a mountain for panoramic views of the park. The Chigmit Mountains Trail is another challenging hike that takes visitors to the top of a mountain and offers great views of the park’s glaciers.
Overall, both Badlands National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offer a wide range of hiking options for visitors of all skill levels. Each park has its own unique landscapes and natural wonders to discover, making them both great choices for outdoor enthusiasts.
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 Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
| 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 | 4.7 |
Wildlife in Badlands National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Badlands National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, but the types of animals and plants that you can expect to see at each park are quite different.
Badlands National Park is known for its prairie grasslands and rugged badlands terrain. Visitors to the park can expect to see a variety of mammals, such as bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and prairie dogs. The park is also home to a diverse array of birds, including the American goldfinch, the western meadowlark, and the northern harrier. The park’s rugged terrain also provides habitat for reptiles and amphibians, such as the western hognose snake and the boreal chorus frog.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its rugged mountains, glaciers, and coastal rainforests. Visitors to the park can expect to see a variety of large mammals, such as brown bears, moose, and wolves. The park is also home to a diverse array of birds, including the bald eagle, the common loon, and the willow ptarmigan. The park’s coastal areas also provide habitat for marine mammals, such as sea otters and harbor seals.
In conclusion, both Badlands National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are great options for wildlife viewing. While Badlands National Park is known for its prairie grasslands and rugged badlands terrain, visitors can expect to see a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. On the other hand, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offers visitors the chance to see a variety of large mammals, birds, and marine mammals in a rugged mountain and coastal rainforest setting.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Badlands National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Badlands National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Northern Pintail |
| Northern Pintail | American Wigeon |
| American Wigeon | Green-Winged Teal |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Badlands National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Gray Wolf |
| Porcupine | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Hoary Bat | Northern River Otter |
| Red Fox | Masked Shrew |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Water Shrew |
| House | Red Squirrel |
| Mountain Lion | Montane Shrew |
| Mule Deer | Lynx |
| Gray Fox | Wolverine |
| Long-Legged Myotis | American Marten |
| Northern Myotis | Brown Bear |
| Badger | Meadow Vole |
| Weasel | Moose |
| North American River Otter | Least Weasel |
| Common Shrew | Pygmy Shrew |
| Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Meadow Jumping Mouse |
Reptiles
| Badlands National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Badlands National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Badlands National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Fathead Minnow | Steelhead |
| Golden Shiner | Longnose Sucker |
| European Carp | Lake Trout |
| Longnose Dace | Northern Pike |
| Yellow Bullhead | Burbot |
| Channel Catfish | Silver Salmon |
| Black Bullhead | King Salmon |
| Creek Chub | Slimy Sculpin |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Beautiful Landscapes in Badlands National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Badlands National Park is known for its unique and colorful rock formations, including layered rock formations, deep canyons, and towering spires. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include the Badlands Loop Road, which offers scenic views of the Badlands formations and the Pinnacles Overlook, which offers a panoramic view of the park. The park is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including bison, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is known for its beautiful landscapes, including the rugged Chigmit Mountains, the stunning glacial lakes, and the vast tundra wilderness. Visitors to the park can explore the park’s many hiking trails, which offer views of the park’s natural wonders, including the Tanalian Falls, a cascading waterfall that drops into the Lake Clark. The park is also home to an abundance of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, and wolves.
Things To-Do and Activities in Badlands National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Badlands National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both located in the United States and offer a variety of outdoor activities for visitors.
Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota and is known for its rugged terrain and unique geological formations. Visitors can enjoy hiking and backpacking through the park’s badlands, as well as taking scenic drives along the park road to view the impressive landscapes. The park also offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, including bison, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn. In addition, visitors can also take ranger-led tours and educational programs to learn more about the park’s geology, history, and wildlife.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its remote wilderness and stunning scenery. Visitors can enjoy fishing and bear viewing, as well as backpacking and hiking through the park’s mountains and valleys. The park also offers opportunities for rafting and kayaking on the park’s rivers and lakes, as well as flightseeing tours to view the park from above. Visitors can also take ranger-led tours and educational programs to learn more about the park’s wilderness, culture, and wildlife.
In summary, visitors to Badlands National Park love to hike, take scenic drives, and view wildlife, while visitors to Lake Clark National Park & Preserve love to fish, bear viewing, backpacking, hiking, rafting, kayaking and flightseeing.
Best Time to Visit Badlands National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Badlands National Park, located in South Dakota, has a semi-arid climate with cold winters and hot summers. The park receives an average of 14 inches of precipitation per year, with most of it falling in the form of snow during the winter months. The park also experiences high winds and thunderstorms, particularly during the summer months. The best time to visit the park is typically in the spring or fall, when temperatures are mild and there is less chance of severe weather.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The park receives an average of 75 inches of precipitation per year, mostly in the form of rain and snow. The park is also affected by the coastal storms, which can bring heavy rain and high winds. The best time to visit the park is during the summer months, when the weather is milder and the park’s wildlife is more active.
Overall, the seasonal weather at both parks greatly affects when is the best time of year to visit. Visitors should plan accordingly and be prepared for the different weather conditions at each park.
Family Friendliness of Badlands National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Both Badlands National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are great destinations for families looking to explore the great outdoors and experience nature. However, each park offers different types of activities and facilities that may make it more or less suitable for families with children.
Badlands National Park is generally considered to be more family-friendly than Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. The park offers a variety of shorter, easy hikes and several boardwalks that are accessible to strollers, wheelchairs and persons with mobility challenges. It also has a visitors center with interactive exhibits, ranger-led programs, and a Junior Ranger program that is a great way to engage kids in learning about the park.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its more remote and rugged wilderness, which may not be as suitable for families with young children. The park is best for visitors who are comfortable with more strenuous hiking and backcountry camping, and it is not as easy to access with strollers and wheelchairs. It also has less facilities and services than the Badlands National Park, and the park’s main attraction is the wildlife viewing, which is not always guaranteed.
Overall, both parks have plenty to offer families, but if you’re traveling with young children and are looking for a more family-friendly experience with more services and facilities, Badlands National Park may be the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a more rugged and remote wilderness experience, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is a great destination.