Badlands National Park
South Dakota, United States
About
Designated as a National Park in 1978
The Badlands are a collection of buttes, pinnacles, spires, and mixed-grass prairies. The White River Badlands contain the largest assemblage of known late Eocene and Oligocene mammal fossils. The wildlife includes bison, bighorn sheep, black-footed ferrets, and prairie dogs.
Activities
Weather
Today
10/4/2023
Feels like: 11°C
POP: 0%
Humidity: 62%
Wind: 8 kph NW
Tomorrow
10/5/2023
Feels like: 13°C
POP: 0%
Humidity: 48%
Wind: 6 kph NW
Friday
10/6/2023
Feels like: 8°C
POP: 0%
Humidity: 43%
Wind: 3 kph NW
Official park contact info
Reviews
10,733 reviews found on the web
Helpful reviews:
Just magical. Very similar to the Petrified Forest with the added bonus of so many amazing animals at your fingertips. Buffalo, Prairie Dogs, Long Horn Sheep just feet from you. We’ve spent 2 days here and could spend many more. So much to see. Beautiful views no matter where you look. Try to catch a sunset, so beautiful.
It's an almost other-worldly experience. The landscape is incredible, the colors look painted on. I have taken as long trip through Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, MT Rushmore and the Badlands. After Glacier the Badlands were my most favorite. So beautiful. Something different to admire and hawk at at every corner. A brilliant natural phenomenon.
The Badlands is amazing. Worth seeing. I'd even venture to say its more worth it to see this than Mt. Rushmore. Truly amazing place. This last time was the first time I saw it in the snow, very pretty.
William P.
Just magical. Very similar to the Petrified Forest with the added bonus of so many amazing animals at your fingertips. Buffalo, Prairie Dogs, Long Horn Sheep just feet from you. We’ve spent 2 days here and could spend many more. So much to see. Beautiful views no matter where you look. Try to catch a sunset, so beautiful.
Ty
It's an almost other-worldly experience. The landscape is incredible, the colors look painted on. I have taken as long trip through Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, MT Rushmore and the Badlands. After Glacier the Badlands were my most favorite. So beautiful. Something different to admire and hawk at at every corner. A brilliant natural phenomenon.
Chuck D.
The Badlands is amazing. Worth seeing. I'd even venture to say its more worth it to see this than Mt. Rushmore. Truly amazing place. This last time was the first time I saw it in the snow, very pretty.
Oliver R.
It's amazing. One of its kind. Driving through this was fun. There are places you can find prairie dogs, big horn sheep, bisons etc. There are so many scenic points to click pictures and take a look at rocky mountains, land formations, steep canyons. We were there on a sunny day so would recommend travel with energy drinks, water, sunscreen, hat. Do stop your vehicle at various overlook points, it's beautiful ; The Fossil Exhibit Trail, Pinnacles Overlook, Yellow Mounds Overlook, White River Valley, Panorama Point etc.
Paco S.
Pretty amazing! Please bring plenty of water, electrolytes and wear sunscreen. Plan your route ahead of time. The trails are not difficult. The drive is beautiful and scenic; get out of your car to optimize your enjoyment of the sights!
Elijah
Takes about and hour to drive through going speed limit but you will want to spend more time getting out of the car, going for how's and taking pictures. Be careful for snakes and bring water. They also recommend staying on trails to preserve the nature. Lots of dinosaur fossils have been and are being discovered here.
Chuck S.
Amazing place to visit. The views are amazing! I could spend a whole week in this place. Make sure to bring plenty of food and water.
Liv X
Very cool and interesting to see the dramatically different and changing topography. Plenty of Bison and Prairie Dogs along the way too. Didn't get to see the South end of the park since the Lakota tribe closed it off due to Covid-19. Still a great drive through the rest of the park though.
Rashad E.
We drove Sage Creek Road from Scenic all the way to Interior & enjoyed all the sights. Parts of the gravel road were like a washboard but not too bad. There were sufficient turnouts to stop without blocking traffic. Definitely a great place to see & explore!
Tato I.
Amazing. Plenty of buffalo, long horned sheep, eagles and prairie dogs running around for visitors to see. The badlands scenery is amazing and you’ll personally feel the windswept nature of the place (step outside even in early fall and have the moisture stripped from your skin by the wind).