Ultimate Guide to Exploring Badlands National Park

Headed to Mount Rushmore? Stop at Badlands on the way.

Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan

At first blush, “it doesn’t sound like the best place to go,” admits Christine Czazasty, the chief of interpretation and resource education for Badlands National Park. After all, the park’s name can be misleading, as Czazasty acknowledges, “it’s called Badlands!” However, these 244,000 acres are stunning, featuring towering, striated red-and-gray rock formations that transform into a spectacle of colors at magic hour. Moreover, the wildlife here is abundant — visitors can encounter bighorn sheep, bison, burrowing owls, and entire colonies of delightful prairie dogs. Czazasty shared some of her favorite highlights at this remarkable South Dakota destination.

“Badlands is really a story of erosion,” explains Czazasty, emphasizing the unique pyramid-like formations that define this breathtaking landscape. Alongside its stunning scenery, the park boasts incredible fossil resources dedicated to prehistoric mammals. Therefore, travelers can embark on the scenic loop drives, which are conveniently accessible and offer numerous overlooks for memorable snapshots. However, it’s equally rewarding to park and explore on foot. At the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, tourists can engage with paleontologists who are actively preparing mammal fossils discovered in the park.

For those preferring a more hands-on experience, the park offers an “open hike policy.” Visitors can “go pretty much anywhere into the Badlands,” says Czazasty. If you happen to discover a fossil and report it at the visitors’ center, professional paleontologists may assess your find. You’ll have the chance to pose for a photo and receive detailed reports on your discovery once you return home. This engaging tradition has resulted in hundreds of such reports, making fossil hunting an exciting activity for families.

Two of the prime campgrounds in Badlands National Park include Cedar Pass, which boasts modern conveniences such as reservations, hot showers, and bathrooms, and Sage Creek, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s advisable to plan well in advance for Cedar Pass, and for those opting for Sage Creek, arriving early is recommended.

If you’re planning a visit to the Badlands, it’s essential to check road conditions beforehand. Heavy rain can render many paths muddy and impassable. Additionally, anyone venturing into the park must bring a compass and a paper map. “One of the things we have to deal with is rescuing people who are lost,” Czazasty warns, so avoiding reliance on GPS is crucial.

A guided ranger walk offers one of the most enjoyable experiences in Badlands National Park. Participants can learn about the mixed-grass prairie ecosystems, geology, and the diverse animal life within the park. It’s an excellent opportunity to observe bison, hear the distinct song of a meadowlark, or even spot endangered black-footed ferrets.

Bring your camera, as the park’s landscape changes throughout the day, creating photogenic opportunities. “We have a big artist-in-residence program here at the park. Whether photographers or painters, the light is constantly altering the appearance of the Badlands,” Czazasty notes. Countless photographers flock to the northwest side of the park to capture picturesque sunsets over this wild stretch of Middle America.

Even if you’re passing through on your way to Rushmore and find it’s already nighttime, keep an eye out for local events. The Badlands Amphitheater occasionally hosts an astronomy group from a nearby city, offering telescopes and a chance to gaze at a brilliantly starry night sky. It is indeed understandable why many pop culture landmarks, such as “Dances With Wolves” and “Starship Troopers,” were filmed in this extraordinary location.