Badlands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both natural wonders that offer visitors a unique and breathtaking experience. The Badlands, located in South Dakota, is a rugged and otherworldly landscape of layered rock formations and deep canyons, while Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is home to one of the largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world. Both parks offer a glimpse into the Earth’s past and are perfect for those who love geology, history, and outdoor adventures. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned pro, these two parks are sure to leave you in awe and inspire your sense of wonder. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore two of the most unique and fascinating national parks in the United States.
Hiking Trails in Badlands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Badlands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer different hiking experiences. Badlands National Park is known for its rugged terrain and colorful rock formations, with trails that vary in difficulty. The Badlands Loop Road offers several easy hikes, such as the Door and Window Trail, which is a 0.75-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through a narrow canyon, and the Pinnacles Overlook Trail, which is a 0.25-mile round trip hike that offers a great view of the Badlands formations. For those looking for a more strenuous hike, the Castle Trail is a 3.5-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to the top of the Badlands formations.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, offers a completely different hiking experience. The park is known for its petrified wood and colorful badlands, but the park has few hiking trails. The park’s most popular trails include the Giant Logs Trail, which is a 0.3-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to see some of the largest pieces of petrified wood in the park. The Long Logs Trail is a 0.5-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through a forest of petrified wood. The park also offers the Crystal Forest Trail, a 1-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through a forest of petrified wood with multi-colored crystals. Overall, Badlands National Park offers more hiking options, but Petrified Forest National Park is a great place to take a leisurely hike and see some of the most interesting natural features.
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 Petrified Forest National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mesa Trail | 1448.406 | 32.9184 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Crystal Forest Trail | 1448.406 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Painted Desert Rim Trail | 1770.274 | 11.8872 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Petrified Forest Scenic Drive | 46027.124 | 297.7896 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Giant Logs Trail | 965.604 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Onyx Bridge Trail | 7402.964 | 134.7216 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail | 3379.614 | 24.9936 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Puerco Pueblo Trail | 482.802 | 2.7432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Devil’s Playground Loop | 12070.05 | 144.78 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Old Jasper Forest Road | 4184.284 | 53.9496 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Badlands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Badlands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both home to a wide variety of unique and interesting wildlife. However, the types of animals and plants you’ll see at each park are quite different.
At Badlands National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of mammals such as bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and coyotes. The park is also home to a variety of bird species including the golden eagle, ferruginous hawk, and swift fox. Additionally, visitors may also spot reptiles such as the western rattlesnake and the sagebrush lizard.
On the other hand, Petrified Forest National Park is known for its large collection of petrified wood, as well as for its diverse collection of desert plants and animals. Visitors can spot a variety of cactus species such as the saguaro and the barrel cactus, as well as sagebrush and other desert shrubs. The park is also home to a variety of mammals including pronghorn, black-tailed jackrabbit, and desert cottontail. Additionally, visitors may also spot various bird species such as the roadrunner and Gambel’s quail.
Overall, both Badlands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of unique and interesting wildlife. However, the types of animals and plants you’ll see at each park are quite different, with Badlands National Park being known for its mammals and Petrified Forest National Park being known for its petrified wood and desert plants and animals.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Badlands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Badlands National Park | Petrified Forest 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 | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Big Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Bobcat | Little Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Deer Mouse |
| Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
| Deer Mouse | Black Bear |
| Raccoon | Porcupine |
| Porcupine | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Red Fox |
| Red Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Mountain Lion |
| House | Mule Deer |
| Mountain Lion | Gray Fox |
| Mule Deer | Wolf |
| Gray Fox | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Badger |
| Northern Myotis | California Myotis |
| Badger | Fringed Myotis |
| Weasel | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| North American River Otter | Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Common Shrew | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Western Harvest Mouse |
Reptiles
| Badlands National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Western Rattlesnake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Common Garter Snake | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Milksnake | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Common Kingsnake |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Southwestern Black-Headed Snake | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Amphibians
| Badlands National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Bullfrog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Red-Spotted Toad |
| Plains Spadefoot | Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Badlands National Park | Petrified Forest 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 | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| European Carp | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub |
Beautiful Landscapes in Badlands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Badlands National Park is known for its striking and otherworldly landscapes, which include layered rock formations, deep canyons, and colorful spires. The park’s most famous landscapes include the Badlands Loop Road, a scenic drive that winds through the park’s most dramatic landscapes, and the Pinnacles Overlook, which offers stunning views of the park’s towering rock formations. Other popular landscapes in the park include the Badlands Wilderness Area, a rugged and remote area of the park that is home to bighorn sheep and bison, and the Badlands formations, which are a maze of layered rock formations that are perfect for hiking and exploring.
Petrified Forest National Park is known for its colorful and fossil-rich landscapes, which include one of the largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world. The park’s most famous landscapes include the Painted Desert, a colorful and otherworldly landscape of layered rock formations and colorful clay hills, and the Petrified Forest, which is home to some of the most well-preserved petrified wood in the world. Other popular landscapes in the park include the Blue Mesa, a colorful and otherworldly landscape of layered rock formations and clay hills, and the Crystal Forest, which is home to some of the most colorful and well-preserved petrified wood in the world.
Things To-Do and Activities in Badlands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Badlands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both known for their unique and diverse landscapes, but the activities that visitors can enjoy at each park differ greatly.
At Badlands National Park, popular activities include hiking, backpacking, and wildlife viewing. The park offers a variety of hiking trails that take visitors through the rugged terrain and showcase the park’s unique geologic formations. Backpacking is also a popular activity, as the park offers several designated wilderness areas for overnight camping. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, as the park is home to bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and several other species of mammals.
On the other hand, Petrified Forest National Park is known for its vast collection of petrified wood, as well as its painted desert landscape. Visitors can enjoy the park’s scenic drive, which takes them through the park’s colorful badlands and past the petrified wood. Hiking is also popular, with several easy trails that take visitors through the park’s badlands, as well as the historic Painted Desert Inn. Ranger-led tours are also available, which offer a more in-depth look at the park’s geology, history, and wildlife.
So, if you’re looking for a park that offers a wide range of outdoor activities, Badlands National Park is the better choice. But if you’re more interested in seeing some of the world’s most unique petrified wood and painted desert landscapes, Petrified Forest National Park would be a better fit.
Best Time to Visit Badlands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Badlands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both located in the western part of the United States and have distinct seasonal weather patterns.
Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota and has a semi-arid climate, with hot summers and cold winters. The park receives very little rainfall and the summers can be quite hot, with temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time to visit would be during the spring and fall months when the temperatures are milder and the park is less crowded.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is located in Arizona and has a desert climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The park receives very little rainfall and the summers can be quite hot, with temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time to visit would be during the spring and fall months when the temperatures are milder and the park is less crowded.
Both parks are generally hot during the summer and can be quite cold in the winter. So visiting during the shoulder seasons would be the best time to visit both of them.
Keep in mind that both of these parks are also quite remote and services like water, food and lodging may be limited. So, it’s better to come prepared.
Family Friendliness of Badlands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Badlands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both great options for families looking to explore the great outdoors. Both parks offer a variety of family-friendly activities, but they have different landscapes and features that may appeal to different age groups.
Badlands National Park is known for its unique and otherworldly landscapes, featuring layered rock formations, deep canyons, and towering spires. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to more strenuous backcountry treks, as well as guided ranger programs and educational activities for kids. The Badlands also have a visitors center where families can learn about the park’s geology, history, and wildlife.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is known for its vast collection of ancient petrified wood and fossils, as well as its colorful badlands and painted deserts. The park offers a variety of self-guided trails, including the half-mile Crystal Forest Trail and the 1-mile Long Logs Trail, that take visitors through the heart of the petrified forest. Families can also take ranger-led tours of the park’s historic sites, such as the Painted Desert Inn and the Rainbow Forest Museum, to learn more about the area’s geology and history.
Both parks have visitor centers and restrooms, picnic areas, and gift shops. In terms of accessibility, Petrified Forest National Park has more paved trails and wheelchair-accessible facilities than Badlands National Park.
Overall, both parks offer unique and exciting experiences for families, but Petrified Forest National Park may be better suited for families with young children or those looking for more wheelchair-friendly options. Badlands National Park, on the other hand, may be better for families with older children or those looking for more challenging hiking trails and educational opportunities.