“Step into two vastly different worlds with Channel Islands National Park and Wind Cave National Park. The first, located off the coast of California, offers a chance to immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of five pristine islands, each teeming with unique wildlife, towering sea cliffs, and serene beaches. The latter, in South Dakota, takes you underground to the mysterious and captivating world of Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. But the adventure doesn’t stop there – the park also showcases rolling prairies and striking rock formations, a testament to the rich history of the Great Plains. So, pack your bags and get ready to choose between two unforgettable experiences.”
Hiking Trails in Channel Islands National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Channel Islands National Park, located off the coast of California, offers scenic ocean and island views as well as diverse and unique ecosystems to explore on its trails. Easiest hikes include the Cavern Point Loop trail on Santa Cruz Island, a 1.5-mile loop with panoramic views, and the Sands Beach trail on Santa Rosa Island, a 1-mile stroll on a sandy beach. For experienced hikers, the challenging National Park Backcountry trail on Anacapa Island is a strenuous 11-mile trek with steep climbs and rugged terrain offering stunning ocean views.
Wind Cave National Park, located in South Dakota, offers a unique underground hiking experience with over 140 miles of explored passages. The easiest trail is the Natural Entrance trail, a half-mile loop that provides an introduction to the cave’s formations. For a more strenuous hike, the Rankin Ridge trail is a 4.5-mile round trip with steep elevation gains offering panoramic views of the surrounding prairie. The Park also offers ranger-led cave tours of varying difficulty, including the challenging Garden of Eden tour, which involves crawling and climbing through tight passages to view rare formations.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Channel Islands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potato Harbor Trail | 7885.766 | 183.7944 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Smugglers Cove Trail | 12391.918 | 426.72 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Scorpion Bay to Cavern Point Loop | 2574.944 | 84.7344 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| El Montanon Trail | 13679.39 | 569.976 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Santa Cruz Island: Pelican Bay And Prisoners Harbor Trails | 13840.324 | 436.7784 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| East Anacapa Island Trail | 3862.416 | 115.824 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Scorpion Canyon Loop Trail | 7242.03 | 238.9632 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Del Norte and Montanon Trail to Scorpion Campgroud | 20116.75 | 810.768 | Hard | point to point | 5 |
| Cueva Valdez to Arch Rock Trail | 11748.182 | 535.8384 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Pelican Bay Trail | 6437.36 | 249.936 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Wind Cave National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Channel Islands National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Channel Islands National Park in California offers a diverse array of marine life, including sea lions, whales, dolphins, and seals, as well as land animals like island foxes, deer mice. In terms of birdlife, visitors can see pelicans, cormorants, gulls. The park’s vegetation includes unique species like island sagebrush and Santa Cruz Island ironwood.
Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota is famous for its cave system and bison herds, but also boasts pronghorns, elk, coyotes and black-tailed prairie dogs. Birds, such as swift foxes, burrowing owls and ferruginous hawks can be seen overhead, and the park has unique vegetation, including the Wind Cave prickly pear cactus and Wind Cave penstemon.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Channel Islands National Park and Wind Cave National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Channel Islands National Park | Wind Cave 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
| Channel Islands National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | Coyote |
| Deer Mouse | American Beaver |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Muskrat |
| Hoary Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Bobcat |
| California Myotis | Striped Skunk |
| Fringed Myotis | Little Brown Bat |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Deer Mouse |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Raccoon |
| Pallid Bat | Black Bear |
| Red Bat | Porcupine |
| Black Rat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | |
| Red Fox | |
| Weasels | |
| House Mouse | |
| Mountain Lion | |
| Mink | |
| Mule Deer | |
| Wolf | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| Badger | |
| Ermine | |
| Fringed Myotis |
Reptiles
| Channel Islands National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Bull Snake |
| Yellow-Bellied Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Racer |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Milksnake |
Fish
| Channel Islands National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Long Nose Dace | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub |
Amphibians
| Channel Islands National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouses Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Channel Islands National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfer | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary |
Beautiful Landscapes in Channel Islands National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Channel Islands NP: cliffs, beaches, kelp forests.
Wind Cave NP: cave system, boxwork, frostwork, prairies, Ponderosa pine forest, bison, pronghorns.
Things To-Do and Activities in Channel Islands National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Channel Islands National Park in CA is popular for water-based activities like kayaking, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing, while Wind Cave National Park in SD is known for its extensive cave system, as well as camping and wildlife viewing. Both offer scenic beauty, ranger-led programs, and guided tours. Channel Islands features unique island ecosystems and diverse flora, while Wind Cave boasts complex underground labyrinths, appealing to cave enthusiasts.
Best Time to Visit Channel Islands National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Channel Islands National Park in SoCal has Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters & warm, dry summers. Visit spring to early fall for mild temp & clear skies. Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota has a temperate climate with hot summers & cold winters, best visited in summer for mild temp & open cave tours. Both parks can experience sudden weather changes, so always check forecast & pack accordingly.
Family Friendliness of Channel Islands National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Channel Islands National Park offers scenic hikes and marine life viewing, while Wind Cave National Park has unique caves and wildlife. Channel Islands may be less suitable for young children, while Wind Cave offers ranger-led tours. Wind Cave may be the better option for families with kids.