Badlands National Park vs Shenandoah National Park

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Badlands National Park vs Shenandoah National Park

“Imagine standing on a rocky outcropping, gazing out at a sea of rolling hills and jagged peaks. Now imagine doing the same thing, but this time surrounded by lush forests and cascading waterfalls. Both Badlands National Park and Shenandoah National Park offer visitors the chance to experience the beauty of nature in very different ways. Whether you’re a lover of rugged deserts or idyllic mountains, these two parks have something for everyone. From hiking trails to scenic drives, from wildflowers to wildlife, from stargazing to picnicking, both Badlands and Shenandoah offer a wealth of natural wonders to explore. So come along with us as we take a closer look at these two amazing parks and discover what makes each of them special.”

Hiking Trails in Badlands National Park and Shenandoah National Park

Badlands National Park and Shenandoah National Park offer vastly different hiking experiences. Badlands National Park is known for its rugged terrain, with steep canyons and towering spires. The park features several hiking trails that vary in difficulty, with the longest being the Castle Trail, a 9-mile hike that takes you through the heart of the Badlands. Other notable trails include the Fossil Exhibit Trail, which is an easy, paved trail that leads to a fossil exhibit and the Badlands Loop Road, which offers a self-guided hike along a scenic road.

Shenandoah National Park, on the other hand, is known for its lush forest and rolling hills. The park features over 500 miles of hiking trails, including the famous 101-mile long Appalachian Trail. Some of the easier hikes include the Dark Hollow Falls Trail, which is a 1.4-mile hike to a beautiful waterfall and the Limberlost Trail, which is a 2.5-mile hike through the forest. For more challenging hikes, the Old Rag Mountain hike is a popular 8.8-mile hike with steep inclines and rocky terrain.

Overall, if you’re looking for rugged terrain and a more challenging hike, Badlands National Park is the place to go. If you prefer a more forested setting with a variety of hikes to choose from, Shenandoah National Park is a great option.

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 Shenandoah National Park

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
Old Rag Mountain Loop 13840.324 736.7016 Hard loop 5
White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run Trails Loop 14484.06 722.9856 Hard loop 4.5
Dark Hollow Falls Trail 2253.076 171.9072 Moderate out and back 4.5
Bearfence Mountain Trail 1609.34 73.7616 Moderate loop 4.5
Hawksbill Gap Loop via Appalachian Trail 4184.284 228.9048 Moderate loop 4.5
Rose River Trail 5632.69 256.9464 Moderate loop 4.5
White Oak Canyon Trail 15288.73 733.9584 Hard out and back 4.5
Stony Man via Appalachian Trail 2414.01 97.8408 Easy loop 4.5
South River Falls Trail 7402.964 387.7056 Moderate out and back 4.5
Little Stony Man Loop via Appalachian Trail 5471.756 263.9568 Moderate loop 4.5

Wildlife in Badlands National Park and Shenandoah National Park

Badlands National Park and Shenandoah National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, although the specific animals and plants you’ll see will vary depending on the season and the specific area of the park you’re visiting.

At Badlands National Park, you’ll find a variety of wildlife that is well-adapted to the harsh desert environment, including bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, coyotes, and a variety of birds such as the golden eagle, ferruginous hawk, and swift fox. The park is also home to a number of different reptile and amphibian species, including snakes, lizards, and frogs. In terms of plants, you’ll find a variety of cacti and succulents, as well as sagebrush, grasses, and wildflowers depending on the season.

Shenandoah National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Appalachian Mountains and is home to a different set of animals and plants. Some of the most commonly seen wildlife in the park include white-tailed deer, black bears, wild turkeys, and a variety of songbirds. You can also spot many different types of reptiles and amphibians, such as salamanders and turtles. The park is home to a wide variety of trees and plants, including oak, hickory, and pine, as well as a number of different wildflowers and ferns.

In terms of family-friendliness, both parks have a variety of activities and educational opportunities suitable for children. Shenandoah National Park has a number of ranger-led programs and Junior Ranger activities, while Badlands National Park offers guided tours and educational programs for families. Both parks have kid-friendly hiking trails and scenic drives that are suitable for all ages.

Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Badlands National Park and Shenandoah National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.

Birds

Badlands National Park Shenandoah 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 Shenandoah National Park
Coyote Coyote
American Beaver American Beaver
Muskrat Muskrat
Big Brown Bat Big Brown Bat
Bobcat Bobcat
Striped Skunk Striped Skunk
Little Brown Bat Little Brown Bat
Deer Mouse Deer Mouse
Raccoon Raccoon
Porcupine Black Bear
Silver-Haired Bat Silver-Haired Bat
Hoary Bat Hoary Bat
Red Fox Red Fox
Long-Tailed Weasel Long-Tailed Weasel
House House Mouse
Mountain Lion Mountain Lion
Mule Deer Gray Fox
Gray Fox River Otter
Long-Legged Myotis Masked Shrew
Northern Myotis Water Shrew
Badger Red Squirrel
Weasel White-Tailed Deer
North American River Otter Virginia Opossum
Common Shrew Marten
Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat Northern Flying Squirrel

Reptiles

Badlands National Park Shenandoah National Park
Gopher Snake Black Racer
Racer Ringneck Snake
Western Rattlesnake Common Garter Snake
Common Garter Snake Common Kingsnake
Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard Milksnake
Milksnake Eastern Fence Lizard
Eastern Fence Lizard

Amphibians

Badlands National Park Shenandoah National Park
Northern Leopard Frog Northern Leopard Frog
Tiger Salamander
Bullfrog
Woodhouse’s Toad
Plains Spadefoot

Insects

Badlands National Park Shenandoah National Park
Orange Sulphur Orange Sulphur
Painted Lady Painted Lady
Monarch Monarch
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 Variegated Fritillary
Variegated Fritillary Buckeye
Commom Wood Nymph Commom Wood Nymph
Purplish Copper Gray Hairstreak
Anise Swallowtail
Gray Hairstreak

Fish

Badlands National Park Shenandoah National Park
Fathead Minnow Rainbow Trout
Golden Shiner Brook Trout
European Carp Brown Trout
Longnose Dace Largemouth Bass
Yellow Bullhead Green Sunfish
Channel Catfish Bluegill
Black Bullhead Common Carp
Creek Chub Mottled Sculpin
Longnose Dace
Yellow Bullhead
Creek Chub
Brown Bullhead
Smallmouth Bass

Beautiful Landscapes in Badlands National Park and Shenandoah National Park

Badlands National Park is known for its unique and otherworldly landscapes, formed by millions of years of erosion and deposition. The park’s signature feature is its layered rock formations, which range in color from deep red to golden yellow. Visitors can explore the Badlands Loop Road, a scenic drive that takes them through the heart of the park, past towering spires and deep canyons. Hiking trails such as the Badlands Loop and the Pinnacles Overlook offer stunning views of the park’s diverse landscapes.

Shenandoah National Park, on the other hand, is known for its lush, rolling mountains, verdant forests, and cascading waterfalls. The park’s famous Skyline Drive winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering visitors panoramic views of the park’s natural beauty. Popular hiking trails include Old Rag, a challenging hike to the summit of a rocky peak, and Dark Hollow Falls, a gentle hike to a picturesque waterfall. Other popular activities include camping, fishing, and picnicking. Both parks offer unique and breathtaking landscapes that are sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors.

Things To-Do and Activities in Badlands National Park and Shenandoah National Park

Badlands National Park and Shenandoah National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but they offer very different experiences.

Badlands National Park is located in the Great Plains region of South Dakota and is known for its striking landscapes of layered rock formations and deep canyons. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and coyotes. Visitors to Badlands National Park can enjoy hiking, backpacking, and wildlife viewing. Some of the most popular hiking trails include the Badlands Loop Road, the Pinnacles Overlook Trail, and the Castle Trail.

Shenandoah National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and is known for its rolling hills, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including black bears, deer, and wild turkey. Visitors to Shenandoah National Park can enjoy hiking, camping, and horseback riding. Some of the most popular hiking trails include the Old Rag Mountain Trail, the Whiteoak Canyon Trail, and the Dark Hollow Falls Trail.

In terms of family-friendliness, both parks offer a variety of activities that are suitable for children, including hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. However, Shenandoah National Park may be more accessible for families with young children or those with mobility issues as it offers more gentle trails and scenic drives, while Badlands National Park offers more challenging hikes and rugged terrain.

Overall, both Badlands National Park and Shenandoah National Park offer unique and beautiful natural landscapes and opportunities for outdoor recreation, but they are different experiences. It depends on the visitors’ preference on what kind of nature they want to explore.

Best Time to Visit Badlands National Park and Shenandoah National Park

Badlands National Park and Shenandoah National Park are two very different national parks in terms of the weather. Badlands National Park is located in the Great Plains region of South Dakota, and has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The best time to visit Badlands National Park is during the spring and fall when the temperatures are milder. During the summer, temperatures can reach above 100°F and during the winter, temperatures can drop below freezing.

Shenandoah National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and has a more moderate climate. The park experiences four distinct seasons, with warm summers, cool fall, chilly winters, and mild spring. The best time to visit Shenandoah National Park is during the spring and fall when the temperatures are mild and the leaves are changing. The park is also popular during the summertime, with visitors enjoying the cool mountain air and many hiking trails. The park can also be visited in winter, but the weather can be unpredictable and some facilities may be closed.

Overall, the weather at Badlands National Park is more extreme and less predictable than at Shenandoah National Park, which may make Shenandoah National Park a better option for visitors looking for more mild weather and a wider range of activities.

Family Friendliness of Badlands National Park and Shenandoah National Park

Badlands National Park and Shenandoah National Park are both great options for families looking to experience the beauty of nature. However, they offer different types of experiences.

Badlands National Park, located in South Dakota, is known for its unique and rugged landscapes. The park features towering rock formations, deep canyons, and colorful badlands. Visitors can hike along the park’s many trails, including the easy, half-mile Badlands Loop Road, or the more challenging Castle Trail. The park also offers ranger-led programs for families, such as guided walks and campfire talks.

Shenandoah National Park, located in Virginia, is known for its lush forested landscapes and cascading waterfalls. The park offers over 500 miles of hiking trails, including the easy, half-mile Nature Trail and the more challenging Old Rag Mountain hike. The park also offers ranger-led programs for families, such as guided walks, campfire talks, and Junior Ranger activities.

Both parks offer a wide range of family-friendly activities, but Shenandoah National Park may be a better option for families with small children, as it has more easy trails and ranger-led activities. However, if your family is looking for a more rugged and unique landscape, Badlands National Park is a great option.

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