Indiana Dunes National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two of the most unique and breathtaking natural wonders in the United States. Both parks offer incredible landscapes, rich history, and diverse ecosystems that are sure to leave visitors in awe. Whether you prefer towering sand dunes and sparkling lakes or vast deserts and ancient forests, these parks have something for everyone.
Indiana Dunes National Park is located on the southern shores of Lake Michigan and boasts over 15,000 acres of sand dunes, forests, wetlands, and prairies. Visitors can hike, bike, swim, and even camp along the lake shore, exploring the diverse ecosystems of the park. Meanwhile, Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is home to one of the largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world. This park also features a rich cultural history, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 13,000 years.
So, which park is the best fit for your next adventure? Both parks are truly unique and offer a wealth of opportunities for exploration and discovery. Read on to discover the differences and similarities between these two incredible parks.
Hiking Trails in Indiana Dunes National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both popular destinations for nature lovers, but each offers unique hiking experiences.
Indiana Dunes has over 50 miles of trails ranging from easy to strenuous. Some of the easiest hikes include the Dunes Ridge Trail and the Great Marsh Trail, both of which offer stunning views of the lake and dunes. For more challenging hikes, visitors can tackle trails like the Cowles Bog Trail, which winds through the wetlands and up to the highest dune in the park.
Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is also known for its diverse hiking options. The park has several trails that take visitors through the famous petrified wood fields, including the Giant Logs and Long Logs trails. For a more strenuous hike, the Blue Mesa Trail is a must-see, leading visitors through colorful badlands and offering panoramic views of the park. The park also offers backcountry hiking opportunities, with trails like the Crystal Forest Trail leading to remote areas where hikers can see petrified logs in their natural setting.
Overall, both Indiana Dunes National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer unique and diverse hiking opportunities for visitors of all skill levels. Whether you’re looking for an easy stroll or a challenging trek, these parks are sure to satisfy your need for adventure and nature.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Indiana Dunes National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowles Bog Trail | 6920.162 | 64.9224 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Little Calumet River Trail Loop | 6276.426 | 50.9016 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| West Beach Loop with Scallop Dunes and Long Lake Trail | 5471.756 | 78.9432 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Dune Succession and West Beach Walk | 4345.218 | 43.8912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| West Beach Loop | 1770.274 | 28.956 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Miller Woods Trail | 6115.492 | 40.8432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dune Ridge Trail | 1448.406 | 26.8224 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Tolleston Dunes | 5149.888 | 52.7304 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beach Trail to Waverly Beach | 1609.34 | 5.7912 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Indiana’s Lake Michigan Shoreline Scenic Drive | 35083.612 | 84.7344 | Moderate | point to point | 3.5 |
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 Indiana Dunes National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and is known for its diverse ecosystem. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including coyotes, foxes, deer, and numerous species of birds. The forests provide habitat for the Eastern Bluebird, while the wetlands are home to the American Bittern and the Least Bittern. In addition, the park boasts several species of rare and threatened plants, such as the Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is home to a completely different ecosystem. The park is home to a wide variety of reptile species, including rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, and desert tortoises. The park also features a variety of bird species, such as the Gilded Flicker and the Common Raven. Additionally, the park is home to a number of plant species, including the Ponderosa Pine and the Apache Pine. The park also features a number of petrified trees, which are a testament to the region’s rich geological history.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Indiana Dunes National Park and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Indiana Dunes 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
| Indiana Dunes 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 |
| Black Bear | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Red Fox |
| Red Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Mountain Lion |
| House Mouse | Mule Deer |
| Mink | Gray Fox |
| Gray Fox | Wolf |
| North American River Otter | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Badger |
| White-Tailed Deer | California Myotis |
| Virginia Opossum | Fringed Myotis |
| Eastern Red Bat | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| White-Footed Mouse | Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Norway Rat | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Eastern Cottontail | Western Harvest Mouse |
Amphibians
| Indiana Dunes National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
| Indiana Dunes National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| European Carp | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Indiana Dunes National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Southwestern Black-Headed Snake | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Beautiful Landscapes in Indiana Dunes National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and boasts 15,000 acres of sand dunes, forests, wetlands, and prairies. The most famous landscape in the park is Mount Baldy, a towering dune that provides views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also explore the beach, hike through the forests, and watch for wildlife like the threatened Indiana bat.
Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is a unique landscape of colorful badlands and petrified wood. The park’s most famous landscape is the Painted Desert, a breathtaking vista of red, orange, and yellow rock formations that stretch as far as the eye can see. Visitors can also see the Petrified Forest, where fallen trees have been transformed into stone, as well as the Blue Mesa, a hill of blue and purple rock formations. The park is also home to many fossils, including those of ancient reptiles and mammals.
Things To-Do and Activities in Indiana Dunes National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and offers a diverse range of outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy 15,000 acres of sand dunes, forests, wetlands, and prairies. Popular activities include sunbathing, swimming, fishing, boating, and birdwatching. With over 15 miles of beaches and 15 miles of trails, there is plenty of space to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of the park.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in northeastern Arizona, is a unique and fascinating park that showcases petrified wood and rock formations. This park offers a range of outdoor activities including hiking, backpacking, and scenic drives. The park is also home to ancient Native American petroglyphs, which can be viewed along the trails. Petrified Forest National Park is known for its unique geology and wildlife, and visitors can enjoy a scenic drive through the park to see the colorful formations and learn about the history of the area.
Both parks offer a wide range of outdoor activities, but Indiana Dunes National Park is more focused on water-based activities and offers a larger range of outdoor activities, while Petrified Forest National Park is more focused on geology, history, and wildlife viewing. Both parks are popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and offer a unique experience for visitors.
Best Time to Visit Indiana Dunes National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and experiences a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters. The best time to visit is from June to August when temperatures are warm and the lake provides opportunities for swimming and boating. Winter temperatures can fall below freezing and snow is common, making outdoor activities more challenging.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is located in Arizona and experiences a desert climate with hot summers and cool winters. The best time to visit is from September to May when temperatures are more moderate and the park is less crowded. Summer temperatures can reach 100°F and above, making outdoor activities difficult and potentially dangerous. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, but the park is still accessible and offers unique opportunities to see the snow-covered petrified wood.
In conclusion, the weather at both parks plays a significant role in determining the best time to visit. While Indiana Dunes National Park is best visited during the summer months, Petrified Forest National Park is best visited during the cooler months. Regardless of when you visit, both parks offer unique scenic beauty and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Family Friendliness of Indiana Dunes National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both great destinations for families, but each park offers a different experience. Indiana Dunes National Park is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and offers 15,000 acres of sand dunes, forests, wetlands, and prairies to explore. The park provides a great opportunity for families to enjoy the Great Lakes region and provides a variety of recreational activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and swimming.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in northeastern Arizona, is a unique destination that showcases a large deposit of petrified wood, as well as ancient ruins, petroglyphs, and colorful badlands. The park offers several educational and interactive opportunities, including ranger-led activities, guided walks and talks, and a junior ranger program that teaches children about the history and geology of the park.
When it comes to family-friendliness, both parks are great destinations, but Petrified Forest National Park may be the better option for families with children. With its interactive educational opportunities and ranger-led activities, Petrified Forest provides a unique and exciting learning experience for kids. Additionally, the park is compact, making it easy for families to see a variety of sights and attractions in one day.