What does the rhino, camel, and saber-toothed cat have in common?
In addition to having the ability to easily decapitate you, they all once roamed in Badlands National Park.
While the park contains one of the world’s richest fossil beds, it’s the rugged charm of the Badlands that draws visitors from around the world.
The Badlands you see today are the result of millions of years of varied sediments being deposited – first by an ancient sea, then rivers and flood plains – before significant erosion carved the land into the spires, canyons, and buttes that stretch across the landscape. Apparently, all that it takes to form a national park is some vitamin SEA. Please don’t leave.
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Perhaps no national park has a more intimidating name than the Badlands. On second thought, I suppose Death Valley would have a say in the matter.
In any event, the Badlands are unforgiving and unforgettable place. The Oglala Lakota people, who inhabited this land for 11,000 years, named the area “mako sica” or “land bad.” Similarly, French fur traders called the region “les mauvaises terres a traverser,” which translates to “bad lands to traverse.” You get the point.
This once uninviting land welcomes roughly one million annual visitors these days. Badlands National Park is a fantastic road trip destination for anyone looking an unconventional adventure.
Whether you are a hiker, photographer, cyclist, geologist or amateur paleontologist, Badlands has ample opportunities for exploration.
Here are the best ways to discover Badlands National Park:
Scenic Drive
Except for Guadalupe Mountains, it seems that every national park his some sort of scenic drive – some more scenic than others. Badlands Loop Road is one of the better ones. Nearly 30 overlooks provide a plethora of options to stop for a photograph when you’re not zigzagging through the Badlands formations.
Hiking
Seeing the Badlands from an overlook is a good start, but getting lost in the Badlands – figuratively, of course – is the best way to discover the park. Venture just a few steps from the road and you are quickly transported to a lunar landscape.
For the maximum reward-to-effort ratio, tackle the 1.5 mile Notch Trail. A nice little climb up a log ladder acts as a gateway to the desolate Badlands. Don’t be alarmed if you momentarily forget what trail, or planet, you are on.
The Window Trail is a shorter and more accessible hike for anyone wanting to experience the Badlands by foot. A quarter mile walk along an elevated boardwalk leads you a natural window that opens up to vast views of the park.
Geology and Paleontology
It’s easy to notice the distinct layers of the Badlands formations, each representing a different era. The oldest, and bottommost, layer dates back some 70 million years. Due to severe weather, the Badlands are currently eroding at a rate of 1 inch per year. Scientists estimate that in the next 500,000 years, the Badlands will have completely eroded away.
While it could one day erase the park, the relatively rapid erosion taking place in the Badlands has assisted in uncovering an abundance of fossils. Watch paleontologists at work in the Fossil Prep Lab, or channel your inner Ross Geller by going fossil hunting.
Cycling
Remove the constraints of the windshield and experience the Badlands from the freedom of a bicycle. Be advised the park is BYOB – bring your own bike.
Turn your Badlands National Park visit into a road trip and make sure you don’t miss these next two South Dakota attractions:
Minuteman Missile Site
Relive the Cold War by visiting this National Historic Site, just on the outskirts of the Badlands. At the height of the arms race, one thousand nuclear missiles were strategically buried in nondescript underground silos across the Great Plains.
After exploring the visitor center, don’t miss the opportunity to see one of the two preserved missile sites that allow public access. It’s a little chilling when you realize there are currently hundreds of active missiles tucked away across the Midwest.
Black Hills
You can’t visit South Dakota without spending time in the Black Hills. Trust me. Home to six of South Dakota’s Great 8 attractions, the Black Hills are teeming with history and wilderness.
Link the Black Hills and Badlands National Park for a quintessential American road trip.
Need some new music for your travels? Check out this playlist for your next adventure!
One of the reasons we made it a goal to visit every national park was that we quickly realized that every park is incredibly remarkable. They represent the most beautiful and unique landscapes that America has to offer – nature’s greatest hits, if you will. The Badlands definitely meet that criteria.
If you find yourself in South Dakota, one full day in Badlands National Park is more than enough time to experience the park, especially if you are able to catch a sunrise or sunset.
Spend the remaining days exploring the Black Hills and you are likely come to the same conclusion that we did: South Dakota is actually quite wonderful.
Oh yeah, one more thing… Do yourself a favor and skip Wall Drug.
Have you ever been to Badlands National Park? What was your favorite way to explore the park?
Read More:
The National Parks, America’s Best Idea
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