National Park Travel Guide: Badlands
Badlands National Park is the very first National Park I visited - Indiana’s Dunes aren’t ~technically~ a park - and ever since I’ve been in love with the NPS, it’s values and the experience of spending one on one time with their beautiful land. While you may only be familiar with the Badlands and Black Hills from Walk Two Moons not as many people know them in relation to our National Parks. The Badlands are typically pretty underrated in the grand scheme of the US but I’m set on convincing you otherwise. The parks unique history, culture, wildlife amongst other things make it worth adding it to your NP list!
The Wall: A wall of mountains part of the iconic visuals of the park, they’re hard to miss! If you want an amazing view from above, check out the Big Badlands Overlook.
Cliff Shelf Nature Trail: This short, half mile and steep trail takes you through the badlands.
Fossil Exhibit Trail: If you’re looking to see some of the many fossils (rather casts of them) this is the perfect trail for you! Bonus- its paved!
Pinnacles Overlooks: Possibly one of the most beautiful views in the park, you can see all of the Badlands Wilderness Area including local bighorn sheep!
Stronghold Table: Noted as the last place a group of Sioux danced the Ghost Dance for a final time, getting here might end up with you lost given it involves a lot of driving, but it’s totally worth checking out!
Ben Reifel Visitor Center: Be sure to get your Passport Stamp here and check out the Fossil Prep Lab. Here, rangers educate tourists on the areas amazing prehistoric features and finds!
Prairie Homestead: The Badlands have preserved various homesteads from settlers throughout the years including this one! You can even stay at some to experience life (kind of) how it was in the original West.
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site : Just outside the park - and depending how you arrive you’ll drive right past it - is a look inside one of America’s most top secret projects from the Cold War. While you can tour one, there were originally a field of 150 Minuteman nuclear missiles armed & ready for launch during the war. While they weren’t fully unarmed until the 90’s they have been wholly preserved for us to understand up close aspect of the era. I highly recommend visiting - it can be quick or longer depending on your interest and you can get a Passport Stamp!
The Ranch Store of the Badlands : For 50 cents you can get a huge bag of peanuts and feed local prairie dogs! They are SO cute and will come really close to you! DO NOT touch them or stick your hands down into their Burroughs.
Notch Trail : You might have seen one of the many photos (like my own!) of this famous trail’s ladder. This 1.5 round trip trail is considered a moderate to strenuous trail due to the ladder climb but is totally worth it! I will say if you have a fear of heights to give it a go, but be prepared on the climb you may get a bit fearful. My mom is terrified of heights and was able to do it, but took some time convincing. Once you see the end view, it’s totally worth it.
Wall Drug : Ok so this isn’t technically in the Park BUT it is something you really ought to go to! It is a quintessential American Road Trip stop that people have been visiting for GENERATIONS. It might not be a place you purchase anything but it is something worth checking out! With rows of merchandise and just an all around South Dakota experience I highly recommend!
Badlands Loop Road : If you like exploring from the car or need an AC break this is the perfect road to see all the pretty sites from your car or have the option to pull over and get out at small intervals!
Free Roaming Wildlife : while there isn’t one place to be able to see the wildlife keep an eye out for Big Horn Sheep, Bison and Coyotes! Be sure to drive smart & slow to avoid hurting these animals and do NOT approach these animals - they will defend themselves! Take photos safely from afar, ideally in the car!
Yellow Mounds Overlook : This is a special site with yellowed portions of rock formations that are unlike anything I’ve ever seen! Be sure to check this out!
If you’re planning on visiting multiple park, purchase a parks pass! Also known as the American the Beautiful pass, the parks pass works at all National Parks & Forrests for admittance (usually anywhere from $10 - $25+) and quickly pays for its self. The America the Beautiful pass is $80 for the year so if you plan on visiting more than 2 - 4 parks in the year it is a wonderful investment with access to over 2,000 destinations. Plus, there are discounts for seniors, military and those needing ADA accommodations with varying prices or discounts.
If you’re going to be in the area- check out some other things near by! Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore & Wind Cave National Park are all near by options if you’re looking to add to your itinerary! From personal experience I would highly recommend Custer State Park if you can only visit one! While Rushmore is an iconic part of American culture & lore I personally found it super overrated. Check out Crazy Horse Memorial instead & stick it to the colonizers.
The best time to photograph here is early morning or golden hour! If you’re like me and you love taking photos on your trips be sure to either be an early riser or diligent on taking time during golden hour. Beyond those two times it can be incredibly difficult to get a good image due to harsher lighting.
Where is the Badlands National Park Passport Stamp Station? You can find the main stamp at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center! Be sure to check smaller stations throughout for bonus stamps!
Be flexible with weather! The weather in this part of South Dakota can change from one extreme to the other quickly- like from snow to hot to rain and something in between in one day or a couple. Be sure to layer and bring gear for all weather types.
There are 3 Entrances : If you’re coming from the West you’ll enter through Pinnacles Entrance which is closest to Pinnacles Overlook, Hay Butte Overlook and Robert’s Prairie Dog Town. If you’re coming from the South you’ll enter through the Interior Entrance putting you close to Cedar Pass Lodge. If you’re coming from the East, you’ll enter through the Northeast Entrance putting you close to the visitor center I highly recommend stopping in to get your stamps, talk with a ranger and learn more about the area.
Pack Sunscreen & Layers : With unpredictable weather and very little vegetation offering shade doing both of these will save you sun burn, chills and more. Prepare for all the seasons when visiting here!
Leave No Trace - You might hear phrases like this throughout the Park & the community who appreciate it but it is a pinnacle of being a steward to our parks. Do your very best to make as little impact as possible on nature by keeping vehicles on paved areas, not disturbing or altering wildlife, cleaning up after yourself (and others), essentially - leave it better than you found it.
