Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two of the most unique and fascinating national parks in the United States. Both parks offer visitors a chance to see some of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the world, but in very different ways.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a place of fire and fury, where the earth boils and belches steam and ash. Visitors can explore the park’s many geothermal features, including boiling mudpots, steaming vents, and bubbling hot springs. And, of course, there’s the main attraction: Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is a place of ancient mystery and petrified wonder. Here, visitors can explore the fossilized remains of giant trees that once stood tall and proud, before being buried and transformed into stone over millions of years. The park also features colorful badlands, barren deserts, and majestic mesas, all of which offer visitors a chance to glimpse into the earth’s distant past.
Hiking Trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer unique hiking experiences for visitors. In Lassen Volcanic National Park, visitors can hike through a landscape shaped by volcanic activity. The park offers a variety of trails, from easy strolls to challenging backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes is the Lassen Peak Trail, a 2.5-mile round trip hike to the top of the park’s largest volcano. For a more challenging hike, visitors can try the Bumpass Hell Trail, a 3-mile round trip hike through a boiling, sulfurous landscape.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, offers a completely different hiking experience. The park is home to one of the largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world. The park’s trails offer visitors the opportunity to hike through a landscape of multi-hued badlands and colorful formations of petrified wood. One of the easiest hikes is the Giant Logs Trail, a 0.3-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to one of the park’s largest petrified trees. For a more challenging hike, visitors can try the Blue Mesa Trail, a 2.5-mile round trip hike through a colorful landscape of petrified wood and badlands.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lassen Peak | 8207.634 | 599.8464 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Kings Creek Falls Trail | 4345.218 | 143.8656 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cinder Cone Nature Trail | 7724.832 | 317.9064 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Brokeoff Mountain Trail | 12230.984 | 786.9936 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Mill Creek Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 237.744 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Manzanita Lake Loop | 3057.746 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Devil’s Kitchen Trail | 7402.964 | 187.7568 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chaos Crags Trail | 6437.36 | 301.752 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cluster Lakes Loop Trail | 16737.136 | 451.7136 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Boiling Springs Lake Loop Trail | 3701.482 | 75.8952 | Easy | loop | 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 Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two unique national parks with different climates and ecosystems. In Lassen Volcanic National Park, visitors can observe a variety of wildlife including black bears, mule deer, mountain lions, and various species of birds like the Stellar’s Jay and the Clark’s Nutcracker. The park also provides a habitat for a number of plant species like the Lassen Silverspot butterfly and the Lassen lotus.
On the other hand, Petrified Forest National Park is a desert ecosystem that is home to a number of different species of animals and plants. Some of the most common animals seen in the park include pronghorns, jackrabbits, rattlesnakes, and various species of birds like the Greater Roadrunner and the American Kestrel. The park also has a rich collection of plant life, including the Painted Desert wildflowers and the Petrified Wood.
Both parks offer unique opportunities for visitors to observe and learn about the diverse wildlife and plant species that call these parks home. Whether you’re interested in observing the diverse bird populations, the unique plant species, or the large mammals that roam these parks, Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park have something to offer for all nature enthusiasts.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Lassen Volcanic 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
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| American Beaver | Coyote |
| Muskrat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Raccoon | Little Brown Bat |
| Black Bear | Deer Mouse |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Raccoon |
| Hoary Bat | Black Bear |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Porcupine |
| Mountain Lion | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Mink | Hoary Bat |
| Mule Deer | Red Fox |
| Gray Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Wolf | Mountain Lion |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Mule Deer |
| Snowshoe Hare | Gray Fox |
| Fringed Myotis | Wolf |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Yuma Myotis | Badger |
| Bighorn Sheep | California Myotis |
| Montane Shrew | Fringed Myotis |
| Long-Tailed Vole | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Ringtail | Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Virginia Opossum | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Wolverine | Western Harvest Mouse |
Fish
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Redband Trout | |
| Brook Trout | |
| Brown Trout | |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| King Salmon | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Brown Bullhead |
Reptiles
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Racer | Western Rattlesnake |
| Western Rattlesnake | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Sagebrush Lizard | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Common Garter Snake | Common Kingsnake |
| Common Kingsnake | Nightsnake |
| Rubber Boa | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Striped Whipsnake | Milksnake |
| Western Whiptail | Striped Whipsnake |
| Western Skink | Southwestern Black-Headed Snake |
| Western Fence Lizard | Eastern Collared Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Amphibians
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Buckeye | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both popular destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Lassen Volcanic National Park is famous for its stunning landscapes, including the Lassen Peak, a 10,457-foot active volcano, and the Bumpass Hell, a geothermal area where steam vents and mud pots can be seen. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives and hiking trails, with breathtaking views of the park’s volcanic landscapes.
On the other hand, Petrified Forest National Park is known for its unique geological formations, including petrified wood and colorful badlands. The park’s most famous landmark is the Painted Desert, where visitors can see the multi-hued rock formations, formed from ancient volcanic ash deposits. The park also features a 28-mile scenic drive, which offers views of the formations and the surrounding landscape. The park’s Blue Mesa Trail is a popular hiking trail, where visitors can see petrified wood up close and enjoy views of the surrounding desert.
Things To-Do and Activities in Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park, located in northern California, is known for its hydrothermal features, scenic drives, and diverse landscapes. Visitors enjoy exploring the park’s bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and boiling pools. The park also offers scenic drives along Lassen Peak Highway and Bumpass Hell Trail. These drives provide visitors with stunning views of the park’s volcanic landscapes and wildflowers.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is famous for its petrified wood and badlands. Visitors can hike or drive through the park to see the colorful badlands and the petrified logs scattered throughout the park. The park also offers ranger-led walks and talks, as well as scenic drives through the park’s backcountry. Additionally, visitors can take part in the park’s Junior Ranger Program, where they can learn about the park’s geology, wildlife, and cultural history.
Both parks offer a variety of outdoor recreation activities. Lassen Volcanic National Park is popular for its scenic drives, hydrothermal features, and diverse landscapes. Petrified Forest National Park is known for its petrified wood, badlands, ranger-led walks and talks, and scenic drives. Both parks are perfect for visitors who love hiking, exploring, and learning about the natural world. Whether you’re looking for a scenic drive or a leisurely hike, both Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two popular national parks in the United States. While both are unique in their own ways, they have several differences in terms of weather and the best time to visit.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in northern California and is known for its volcanic landscape, including the Lassen Peak volcano. The park experiences a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Visitors can expect snow to blanket the park from November to April, with temperatures ranging from 20°F to 40°F. The best time to visit is during the summer months of June to September, when temperatures are mild and hiking trails are accessible.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is located in northeastern Arizona and is known for its fossilized wood and multi-colored badlands. The park experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. Daytime temperatures during the summer months can reach up to 90°F, making it the best time to explore the park’s scenic drives and shorter trails. Winter temperatures range from 30°F to 50°F, with occasional snow and rain.
In conclusion, both Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer unique experiences, but the best time to visit them depends on the weather conditions. While Lassen Volcanic National Park is best visited during the summer months, Petrified Forest National Park is best visited during the winter or early spring.
Family Friendliness of Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two of America’s most beloved national parks. Both are great destinations for families, but each has its own unique features that make it more or less suitable for families with children.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a great option for families that enjoy outdoor adventures. The park offers a variety of hiking trails that are suitable for families, including a scenic trail around the park’s main attraction, Lassen Peak. There are also several campgrounds in the park, which are ideal for families who enjoy camping. Additionally, the park offers ranger-led programs and educational walks, making it a great place to learn about nature and the environment.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is best for families who enjoy learning about history and geology. The park is home to one of the largest petrified forests in the world, and there are several trails and educational exhibits in the park that teach visitors about the history and geology of the area. The park also offers ranger-led programs and guided tours, making it a great place for families to learn about the history of the region. However, there are no campgrounds in the park, so families who are looking for a camping experience may want to consider Lassen Volcanic National Park instead.
In conclusion, both Lassen Volcanic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are great destinations for families, but they each offer different experiences. If you’re traveling with children, Lassen Volcanic National Park is the better option if you’re looking for outdoor adventures, while Petrified Forest National Park is the better option if you’re interested in history and geology.