Badlands National Park in South Dakota may be one of the coolest places in the United States. Honestly, the name is a tribute to the people that lived in the Badlands before it was even a national park. For hundreds of years, the Oglala Lakota people have called the rocky, harsh landscape mako sica, which roughly translates to “bad land.” The early French fur trappers wholeheartedly agreed when they arrived, calling it les mauvaises terres a traverser, or “bad lands to traverse.” While it’s easy to see why those past generations claimed that these lands were “bad” they are gorgeous and worth a visit. Let’s look into some incredible things you can do while at Badlands National Park…
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2021 Regulations:
Aug 2021: Consistent with CDC guidance regarding areas of substantial or high transmission, visitors to Badlands National Park, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask inside all park buildings.
The Basics: Badlands National Park
Where Is Badlands National Park?
Badlands National Park is in the south west corner of South Dakota near the Black Hills. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires.
Entrances:
- Northeast Entrance (I-90, Exit 131): 21020 SD Hwy 240, Interior, SD 57750
- Pinnacles Entrance (I-90, Exit 110): 24240 Hwy 240, Wall, SD 57790
- Interior Entrance: 20640 SD Hwy 377, Interior, SD 57750
Visitor Centers:
- Ben Reifel Visitor Center – 9 am to 4 pm
- White River Visitor Center – Currently Closed due to COVID-19 because it is located on the Pine Ridge Reservation
Know Before You Go: Badlands National Park
- You will need to pay an entrance fee at Badlands National Park. Entrance passes are good for 7 days.
- Private Vehicle: $30
- Motorcycles: $25
- Individual (Hiking, Bicycles): $15
- Annual Pass: $55
- America The Beautiful Pass: $80
- Check out the sunrise and sunset times before entering the park because the cell phone signal is spotty.
- Get an early start if you can.
- While I do think this park is underrated it is also incredibly busy.
- If you can book accommodations I would recommend staying closer to Wall if you have multiple days at the park.
10 Incredible Things To Do At Badlands National Park
1. Take In A Sunrise At Badlands National Park –
Sunrises at Badlands National Park are stunning and if you don’t mind an early wake up call, they are completely worth it! Some of the best overlooks to take in the sunrise…
- Panorama Point
- Big Badlands Overlook
- Cliff Shelf Nature Trail
Check Out: One Day At Badlands National Park
2. Check Out Badlands Loop Road –
This 40-mile loop road will get you to all the highlights in the park. Stop at as many overlooks as you possibly can. They offer the most stunning views of the park.
- Can’t Miss Overlooks
- Big Badlands Overlook
- Panorama Point
- Conata Basin
- Yellow Mounds Overlook
Check Out: Is Badlands National Park Dog Friendly?
3. Don’t Skip Ben Reifel Visitor Center –
Stop at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to explore some of the Badlands histories and grab yourself a stick while you’re there! This visitor center features exhibits, an air-conditioned theater, and restroom facilities. The visitor center also had a little gift shop where you can get stickers, books, ornaments, and other small souvenirs.
4. Hike An Easy Trail –
Badlands National Park has a hiking trail for everyone! Castle, Door, Cliff Shelf, and Notch (the famous one with the ladder) are some of the most popular. IF you do choose to hike any of these make sure to head there early.
Trails At A Glance:
- Rated: Easy
- Miles: .5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 65 ft
- Rated: Easy
- Miles: .08
- Elevation Gain: 36 ft
- Rated: Easy
- Miles: .3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 13 ft
- Rated: Moderate
- Miles: 1.3
- Elevation Gain: 131 ft
- Rated: Moderate
- Miles: 10.5
- Elevation Gain: 314 ft
5. Don’t Skip Yellow Mounds –
The Yellow Mounds Overlook was one of my favorites at Badlands. This is a great place to get a look at older Badlands geology in the form of the brightly colored rock layers. These are seriously cool and you can easily climb to the top of the hill and see those yellow mounds for miles! It’s such a beautiful spot and definitely one of the most colorful spots in the park.
6. Enjoy The Wildlife –
The number of bighorn sheep you spot at Badlands National Park will surprise you (it surprised me). There are also a ton of prairie dogs and bison! Oh, and I was lucky enough to spot 2 coyotes as well.
Wildlife Viewing Tip:
- The wildlife at Badlands tends to hang out near the west side of the park near the intersection of Badlands Loop Road and Sage Creek Rim Road
- Animals are most active at dawn and dusk, but I saw bighorn sheep the entire day at Badlands
- Make sure to remain at safe distances from all wildlife in the park
Wildlife Safety Distances:
- Bison – 25 feet
- Bighorn Sheep – Bighorn sheep are sensitive to human disturbance, please help in protecting the sheep by viewing from a distance.
- Prairie Dogs – Please do not attempt to touch or pet the prairie dogs. These animals can bite and many of them still carry the plague. For your health and for prairie dog health, please respect the prairie dog towns.
- Coyotes are relatively skittish and will run if they see anything BUT stay at least 30 yards away.
Wildlife Viewing Gear Suggestions:
7. Sage Creek Rim Road –
This is the absolute best place to see the wildlife at Badlands National Park. I saw bighorn sheep, bison, coyotes, and prairie dogs all on this road. This is a dirt/gravel road and can be rough during or after storms! Follow the posted speed limit here because there are places where the road is graded and you will regret trying to drive fast! haha
8. Visit Prarie Dog Town –
Get close and personal with the prairie dogs at Robert’s Prairie Dog Town on Sage Creek Rim Road. These little cuties will squeak as you drive by. Keep an eye out and you will see their little heads pop out every few seconds. Just make sure not to get too close because these cute little guys can carry the plague!!
9. Don’t Miss The Sunset –
You can imagine that sunsets over all those gorgeous shades of rock are pretty stellar. Sunsets are truly gorgeous in Badlands National Park. I know it makes for a really long day but catching a sunset in Badlands is worth it!
If you missed the sunrise sleeping in then check out a sunset! The best sunset spots in the park are…
- Panorama Point is touted as having the best sunset views
- Pinnacles
- Conata
- Hay Butte
10. Spend A Night Stargazing –
The dark skies above the park provide the perfect setting for viewing the stars. The park also offers park rangers and astronomy volunteers led programs each night in the summer for Night Sky Viewing. And there is an annual Astronomy Festival too!
Any visit to Badlands National Park is sure to be special. It’s hard to resist this spectacular landscape! Whether you spend one day or three weeks in this part of South Dakota, Badlands will be the highlight of your trip. Have you been to Badlands National Park? What was your favorite?
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