Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park are two incredibly unique and awe-inspiring national parks located in the United States. While they may seem vastly different at first glance, these two parks have more in common than one might think. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to explore breathtaking landscapes that are unlike anything else found in the United States. At Badlands National Park, visitors can hike through the park’s rugged terrain, where the layered rock formations and deep canyons provide a sense of wonder and awe. Meanwhile, at White Sands National Park, visitors can explore the park’s vast, white sand dunes that seem to stretch on forever. These two parks are truly a photographer’s dream, with endless opportunities to capture truly one-of-a-kind images. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or simply someone looking for an unforgettable adventure, Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park are two national parks you won’t want to miss. So, pack your bags, grab your cameras, and get ready for the trip of a lifetime.
Hiking Trails in Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park
Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park are both unique and beautiful national parks, but they offer vastly different hiking experiences.
Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota and is known for its rugged terrain and striking badlands formations. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry hikes. Some of the most popular trails include the Door Trail, which is a short, easy hike that leads to a natural rock formation, and the Castle Trail, which is a moderate hike that offers stunning views of the Badlands formations. The park also has a number of backcountry trails, such as the Badlands Loop Road, which is a challenging hike that takes you through some of the most remote and rugged areas of the park.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is located in New Mexico and is known for its vast expanse of white gypsum sand dunes. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy nature walks to moderate dune hikes. Some of the most popular trails include the Interdune Boardwalk, which is a short, easy hike that takes you through the dunes, and the Alkali Flat Trail, which is a moderate hike that takes you to the top of the dunes for stunning views of the surrounding desert. The park also has a number of backcountry trails, such as the Dunes Drive, which is a challenging hike that takes you through some of the most remote and rugged areas of the park.
In terms of family-friendliness, both Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park offer a variety of easy trails and educational opportunities that are suitable for families with children. However, due to the rugged terrain in Badlands National Park, it may be more challenging for younger children and those with mobility issues to navigate certain trails. White Sands National Park may be more accessible for families with young children.
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 White Sands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 6 |
Wildlife in Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park
Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park both offer visitors a chance to see unique and diverse wildlife.
At Badlands National Park, visitors may spot bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, bison, and coyotes. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including golden eagles, prairie falcons, and swift foxes. The park’s rugged terrain also provides habitat for a variety of reptiles, including rattlesnakes and lizards. Additionally, the park is home to a diverse array of plant life, including cactus, wildflowers, and prairie grasses.
White Sands National Park is home to a variety of desert-dwelling animals, including roadrunners, horned lizards, and desert cottontails. Visitors may also see a variety of bird species, such as the white-tailed hawk and the common poorwill. The park’s unique white sand dunes are home to a variety of plants, including the soaptree yucca and the creosote bush.
While both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife, Badlands National Park offers a wider range of species and habitats due to its larger size. White Sands National Park is unique in that it offers visitors the chance to see the world’s largest gypsum dune field, which is not found in Badlands National Park.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Badlands National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 | Porcupine |
| Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Red Fox | Hoary Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
| House | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mountain Lion | House Mouse |
| Mule Deer | Mountain Lion |
| Gray Fox | Mink |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Common Gray Fox |
| Northern Myotis | Plains Wolf |
| Badger | American Badger |
| Weasel | Ermine |
| North American River Otter | Snowshoe Hare |
| Common Shrew | River Otter |
| Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
| Badlands National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Badlands National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Badlands National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Fathead Minnow | Largemouth Bass |
| Golden Shiner | Longnose Sucker |
| European Carp | Green Sunfish |
| Longnose Dace | Bluegill |
| Yellow Bullhead | Fathead Minnow |
| Channel Catfish | Golden Shiner |
| Black Bullhead | Lake Trout |
| Creek Chub | Northern Pike |
| Ellpout | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Beautiful Landscapes in Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park
Badlands National Park is known for its rugged and otherworldly landscapes. The park is home to layered rock formations, deep canyons, and towering spires that offer visitors a sense of wonder and awe. The park’s most famous landscapes include the Badlands Loop Road, which takes visitors through the park’s most iconic landscapes and provides access to several hiking trails. Along the road, visitors can see the Pinnacles Overlook, which offers a breathtaking view of the park’s layered rock formations. The Badlands Loop Road also provides access to the Badlands Wilderness Area, which is home to several hiking trails that lead through the park’s rugged terrain.
White Sands National Park is known for its vast, white sand dunes that seem to stretch on forever. The park’s most famous landscapes include the Dunes Drive, which takes visitors through the park’s most iconic landscapes and provides access to several hiking trails. Along the road, visitors can see the Interdune Boardwalk, which offers a breathtaking view of the park’s white sand dunes. The Dunes Drive also provides access to the Alkali Flat Trail, which is home to several hiking trails that lead through the park’s white sand dunes.
Both parks offer visitors the chance to see unique and diverse landscapes that are not found anywhere else in the country. Badlands National Park is a rugged terrain with layered rock formations, deep canyons, and towering spires. White Sands National Park is a vast, white sand dunes that seem to stretch on forever. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to explore, hike, and photography their landscapes. Visitors can also enjoy other outdoor activities like camping, picnicking and wildlife watching.
Things To-Do and Activities in Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park
Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park are both known for their unique landscapes, but the types of activities available at each park are quite different.
Badlands National Park is known for its rugged terrain, which makes it a popular destination for hiking and backpacking. Visitors can explore the park on foot along a variety of trails, including the Badlands Loop Road, which offers scenic views of the park’s unique rock formations. The park also offers a number of shorter, easy walks for visitors of all ages, including the Pinnacles Overlook and the Fossil Exhibit Trail.
In contrast, White Sands National Park is known for its large expanse of white gypsum sand dunes, which are unique in the world and make it a popular spot for activities like hiking, picnicking, and even sledding on the dunes. The park also offers ranger-led tours of the dunes, as well as a variety of educational programs for visitors of all ages.
Both parks are family-friendly and have visitor centers with exhibits and educational materials available to visitors. But if you’re looking for a park that offers a variety of outdoor activities and breathtaking landscapes, Badlands National Park might be the better choice. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a park with unique landscapes and activities, White Sands National Park is a great option.
Best Time to Visit Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park
Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park are both located in the United States, but they have vastly different weather patterns and climates. Badlands National Park is located in the northern Great Plains of South Dakota and has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The park receives minimal rainfall and has high winds, making it a challenging environment for visitors. The best time to visit Badlands National Park is during the spring and fall, when the temperatures are milder and the park is less crowded.
On the other hand, White Sands National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico and has a hot desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park receives very little rainfall and has high temperatures, making it a challenging environment for visitors. The best time to visit White Sands National Park is during the winter and spring, when the temperatures are cooler and the park is less crowded.
Both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes, with Badlands National Park featuring layered rock formations and deep canyons, and White Sands National Park featuring vast fields of white gypsum sand dunes. Both parks offer a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and wildlife watching, but the conditions and seasons for these activities are vastly different due to the different climates. Therefore, it is important to plan your visit to each park accordingly, taking into consideration the seasonal weather patterns and the type of activities you would like to do.
Family Friendliness of Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park
Both Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park are family-friendly destinations that offer a variety of activities and experiences for visitors of all ages. However, depending on your family’s preferences and interests, one park may be a better fit than the other.
Badlands National Park is known for its rugged and otherworldly landscapes, making it a great destination for families who enjoy hiking and exploring the great outdoors. The park offers a variety of hiking trails of different levels of difficulty, making it easy for families with children of all ages to enjoy. The park also offers a number of educational programs and ranger-led activities that are specifically designed for children, such as the Junior Ranger program.
White Sands National Park is known for its vast and unique white sand dunes, making it a great destination for families who enjoy the beach and playing in the sand. The park offers a variety of hiking trails of different levels of difficulty, making it easy for families with children of all ages to enjoy. The park also offers a number of educational programs and ranger-led activities that are specifically designed for children, such as the Junior Ranger program.
In conclusion, both Badlands National Park and White Sands National Park are family-friendly destinations that offer a variety of activities and experiences for visitors of all ages. However, if your family is more interested in hiking and exploring rugged landscapes, then Badlands National Park may be the better fit. If your family is more interested in playing on the beach and enjoy the sand, then White Sands National Park may be the better fit.