Badlands National Park
Time Needed: multi-day
Experience Type: national park, scenic views
Badlands National Park stuns with jagged peaks, layered rock formations, and expansive prairie. Once an ancient seabed, today it’s a geologic wonder and a fossil-rich natural treasure. Native wildlife, scenic drives, and short hikes make it a can’t-miss stop in western South Dakota.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Drive Badlands Loop Road – Take in dramatic overlooks, colorful rock formations, and sweeping prairie vistas along this 39-mile scenic drive.
- Visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center – Chat with rangers, browse exhibits, and peek into the Fossil Preparation Lab to see paleontologists in action as they uncover the park’s ancient past.
- Hike the Door, Notch, and Window Trails – These short but scenic trails showcase rugged canyons, cliff views, and unique rock formations.
- Catch Sunset from Big Badlands Overlook – End the day with unforgettable views as rocks glow in warm gold and fiery orange. Uniquely, this is also a top sunrise spot at the park.
- Walk the Fossil Exhibit Trail – Stroll this accessible boardwalk trail lined with fossil replicas and interpretive displays that bring the park’s prehistoric world to life.
Itinerary Idea: Explore Badlands National Park with a self-guided audio tour for the stories behind Big Badlands and Yellow Mounds overlooks, Roberts Prairie Dog Town, and the Fossil Exhibit Trail, adding history, geology, and context as you motor along Badlands Loop Road.
Photo Credit: Olga Subach/Unsplash