Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park are two of the most unique and spectacular parks in the United States. They both offer visitors an opportunity to explore diverse and rugged landscapes that are unlike anything else in the world. Badlands National Park is a vast expanse of rolling hills, deep canyons, and colorful rock formations, while Lassen Volcanic National Park is a land of steaming fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, and active volcanic vents. Both parks are a true wonder of nature and a must-see destination for any outdoor enthusiast. If you are looking for an adventure that will take you to the edge of the earth, these parks are the perfect choice. So pack your bags, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through two of America’s most incredible parks!
Hiking Trails in Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park are both located in the United States and offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors.
Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota and offers a variety of hiking trails that range in difficulty. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Door Trail, a 0.25-mile loop that takes visitors through a narrow passageway in the Badlands formations, and the Fossil Exhibit Trail, a 0.5-mile loop that takes visitors past a display of fossils found in the park. For more challenging hikes, visitors can try the Castle Trail, a 2.5-mile loop that takes visitors to the top of the Badlands formations for scenic views, or the Badlands Loop Road, a 30-mile scenic drive that offers several pullouts for short hikes and views of the Badlands formations.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in California and offers a variety of hiking trails that also range in difficulty. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Manzanita Lake Trail, a 2-mile loop that takes visitors around the lake and offers views of the surrounding mountains and wildflowers, and the Bumpass Hell Trail, a 3-mile round trip trail that takes visitors to the park’s most famous hydrothermal area. For more challenging hikes, visitors can try the Lassen Peak Trail, a 3.5-mile round trip hike to the summit of Lassen Peak, or the Brokeoff Mountain Trail, a 7-mile round trip hike to the summit of Brokeoff Mountain with scenic views of the park and the surrounding area.
In summary, both Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park offer a variety of hiking trails that range in difficulty, from easy nature walks to strenuous summit hikes. The easiest hikes in Badlands National Park are Door Trail, and Fossil Exhibit Trail, while the most challenging hikes are Castle Trail and Badlands Loop Road. In Lassen Volcanic National Park, the easiest hikes are Manzanita Lake Trail and Bumpass Hell Trail, while the most challenging hikes are Lassen Peak Trail and Brokeoff Mountain Trail.
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 Lassen Volcanic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lassen Peak | 8207.634 | 599.8464 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Kings Creek Falls Trail | 4345.218 | 143.8656 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cinder Cone Nature Trail | 7724.832 | 317.9064 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Brokeoff Mountain Trail | 12230.984 | 786.9936 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Mill Creek Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 237.744 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Manzanita Lake Loop | 3057.746 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Devil’s Kitchen Trail | 7402.964 | 187.7568 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chaos Crags Trail | 6437.36 | 301.752 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cluster Lakes Loop Trail | 16737.136 | 451.7136 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Boiling Springs Lake Loop Trail | 3701.482 | 75.8952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife. However, the types of animals, birds, and plants that are commonly seen in each park are different due to the different habitats and ecosystems present in each park.
Badlands National Park is located in the Great Plains of South Dakota and is known for its grasslands and badlands formations. The park is home to a variety of mammals, including bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, coyotes, and prairie dogs. Visitors may also see a variety of bird species, including the golden eagle, ferruginous hawk, and the swift fox. The park also has a diverse array of reptiles and amphibians, including the prairie rattlesnake and the bull snake.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in the Cascade Range of California and is known for its volcanic landscapes and alpine meadows. The park is home to a variety of mammals, including black bears, mountain lions, and mule deer. Visitors may also see a variety of bird species, including the golden eagle, the great horned owl and the Clark’s nutcracker. The park also has a diverse array of reptiles and amphibians, including the western toad, the garter snake and the western skink.
In terms of plants, Badlands National Park is home to a variety of grasses, sagebrush, and cacti, while Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to a variety of conifers, wildflowers, and alpine plants. Both parks are also home to a variety of wildflowers, depending on the season and weather conditions.
Overall, both Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park offer visitors the opportunity to see a diverse array of wildlife and plants, but the types of animals, birds, and plants that are commonly seen in each park are different due to the different habitats and ecosystems present in each park.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Badlands National Park | Lassen Volcanic 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 | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | American Beaver |
| American Beaver | Muskrat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Big Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Bobcat | Raccoon |
| Striped Skunk | Black Bear |
| Little Brown Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Hoary Bat |
| Raccoon | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Porcupine | Mountain Lion |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Mink |
| Hoary Bat | Mule Deer |
| Red Fox | Gray Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Wolf |
| House | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Mountain Lion | Snowshoe Hare |
| Mule Deer | Fringed Myotis |
| Gray Fox | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Yuma Myotis |
| Northern Myotis | Bighorn Sheep |
| Badger | Montane Shrew |
| Weasel | Long-Tailed Vole |
| North American River Otter | Ringtail |
| Common Shrew | Virginia Opossum |
| Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Wolverine |
Reptiles
| Badlands National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Western Rattlesnake | Racer |
| Common Garter Snake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Milksnake | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Common Garter Snake |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Badlands National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Bullfrog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Badlands National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Monarch | Monarch Butterfly |
| American Painted Lady | American Painted Lady |
| Red Admiral | Common Checkered-Skipper |
| Morning Cloak | Honey Bee |
| Cabbage White | Buckeye |
| Silvery Blue | Anise Swallowtail |
| Common Check-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Badlands National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Fathead Minnow | Redband Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Brook Trout |
| European Carp | Brown Trout |
| Longnose Dace | Fathead Minnow |
| Yellow Bullhead | Golden Shiner |
| Channel Catfish | Silver Salmon |
| Black Bullhead | King Salmon |
| Creek Chub | Mottled Sculpin |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Brown Bullhead |
Beautiful Landscapes in Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Badlands National Park is known for its striking and colorful landscape, featuring layered rock formations, deep canyons, and rolling hills. Some of the most famous landscapes at the park include:
– Pinnacles Overlook: A scenic viewpoint that offers panoramic views of the park’s unique rock formations, including towering spires and deep canyons.
– Badlands Loop Road: A scenic drive that takes visitors through the heart of the park, passing by some of the most iconic landscapes in the park, including the Badlands formations, prairie grasslands, and wildlife.
– The Badlands formations: The park’s most famous natural feature, the formations are layered rock formations of different colors, such as red, orange, yellow, and white, that were formed by millions of years of erosion.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is known for its volcanic landscapes, featuring steaming fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, and active volcanic vents. Some of the most famous landscapes at the park include:
– Lassen Peak: An active volcano that last erupted in 1914 and offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and the park.
– Bumpass Hell: A hydrothermal area filled with boiling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and other volcanic features.
– Manzanita Lake: A beautiful lake surrounded by picturesque scenery, including Lassen Peak and other volcanic features, that is perfect for fishing, boating, and hiking.
– Kings Creek Falls: A beautiful waterfall that cascades down a rocky cliff into a pool below.
Overall, both parks offer an array of beautiful landscapes, natural wonders, and outdoor recreational opportunities that are unique to these specific parks, that can keep visitors entertained, and curious.
Things To-Do and Activities in Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park offer visitors a variety of activities to enjoy, but the types of activities that are most popular in each park are different due to the different landscapes and ecosystems present in each park.
Badlands National Park is known for its hiking trails, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing. The park’s most popular hiking trails 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. Visitors also enjoy taking scenic drives through the park, including the Badlands Loop Road, which offers views of the park’s unique rock formations, and the Wildlife Loop Road, which offers the opportunity to see bison, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity in the park, and visitors often see bison, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn while driving through the park.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is known for its hiking trails, volcanic landscapes and hot springs. The park’s most popular hiking trails include the Lassen Peak trail, which offers panoramic views of the park and the surrounding mountains, and the Bumpass Hell trail, which leads to a geothermal area with boiling mud pots and fumaroles. Visitors also enjoy exploring the park’s volcanic landscapes, including Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world and the park’s namesake. The park is also home to several hot springs, including Boiling Springs Lake, which is the largest hydrothermal area in the park.
Both parks also offer activities like camping, picnicking, ranger-led programs, and stargazing, but the most popular activities in each park are different. Badlands National Park is more popular for its scenic drives, hiking trails and wildlife viewing, while Lassen Volcanic National Park is more popular for its hiking, volcanic landscapes and hot springs.
Overall, both Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park offer visitors a variety of activities to enjoy, but the types of activities that are most popular in each park are different due to the different landscapes and ecosystems present in each park.
Best Time to Visit Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park are both located in the United States, but have vastly different climates and weather patterns. This means that the best time to visit each park depends largely on the type of weather and outdoor activities you prefer.
Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota and has a semi-arid climate. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), making outdoor activities during the day very hot and strenuous. However, the park’s unique geological formations and wildlife can still be enjoyed during the cooler morning and evening hours. The park also receives minimal rainfall during the summer, making it a good time to visit for those who prefer dry weather. In contrast, the winter months can be quite cold, with temperatures often dropping below freezing, and the park can be covered in snow and ice. The park is still open during this time, but visitors should be prepared for cold and snowy weather.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in California and has a mountainous climate. During the summer months, the weather is usually mild to warm, with daytime temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 27 degrees Celsius). This is the best time to visit for those who prefer mild weather and would like to do some hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. The park also receives minimal rainfall during the summer, making it a good time to visit for those who prefer dry weather. In contrast, the winter months can be very cold and snowy, with heavy snowfall making some of the park’s roads and trails impassable. However, the park is still open during this time, and visitors can enjoy winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
In summary, the best time to visit Badlands National Park is during the spring and fall, while the best time to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park is during the summer. Badlands National Park is hot during the summer, and cold during the winter, while Lassen Volcanic National Park is mild to warm during the summer and cold and snowy during the winter. Visitors should take into account the type of weather and activities they prefer when planning a visit to either park.
Family Friendliness of Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Badlands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park are both great options for families looking for an exciting outdoor adventure. However, each park has its own unique features and activities that may make it more suitable for families with children.
Badlands National Park offers a wide range of family-friendly activities, such as hiking, wildlife watching, and scenic drives. The park’s well-maintained trails are easy to navigate and offer stunning views of the park’s unique landscapes. Additionally, the park offers educational programs for children, such as the Junior Ranger program, which allows children to earn a badge by completing fun activities and learning about the park’s natural and cultural resources.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the other hand, is also family-friendly but may be more challenging for younger children. The park offers a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, and camping. However, some of the park’s most popular attractions, such as Lassen Peak, require a strenuous hike, which may not be suitable for young children. Additionally, the park’s hydrothermal areas, such as Bumpass Hell, can be quite hot, and visitors should be careful and wear appropriate shoes.
Both parks offer great outdoor opportunities, but in terms of family-friendliness, Badlands National Park may be a better option for families traveling with young children. The park offers a variety of easy and accessible activities, as well as educational programs for children that can make the experience more engaging for the whole family.