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Stacy
Trip Date 08/07/2020 Posted On 09/24/2021 09:23:47 |
Destinations | Camping | South Dakota | Interior | Badlands National Park | Hiking | North Unit | Stronghold Unit | Palmer Creek Unit | Cedar Pass Area | Badlands Loop Road | Badlands Wilderness Area | Sage Creek Rim Road | Nature | Wildlife | Sunset | Scenic Drives | Panoramic Viewpoints | Itinerary
Visiting so many of America's national parks gives a person increased appreciation for nature. A day at Badlands National Park in South Dakota is no exception. The park's headquarters are located in the city of Interior, however entrances to the park are within a 2 hour drive of other southwest South Dakota cities including Wall, Rapid City, Keystone and Sturgis. Whether your preference is camping or finding more traditional lodging, you'll want to plan a minimum of two nights in order to make the most of our recommended one-day itinerary.
With over a dozen panoramic viewpoints, the park is probably best known for scenic drives along Badlands Loop Road and Sage Creek Rim Road, both in the North Unit. Many of the park's most popular hiking trails are found in the Cedar Pass Area. Although wildlife may be seen roaming in any of the park's 244,000 acres, time in the Badlands Wilderness Area almost always guarantees seeing at least the largest and smallest of the animals who call the park home. There's also the more remote Stronghold Unit and Palmer Creek Unit - neither of which have traditional roads or hiking trails!
Whether your preference is adventure travel, accessible travel or something in between, the striking natural beauty of the park will have you craving more time. Fortunately, the park is not as crowded as some other parks within the national park system. From sunrise to sunset, and every minute in between, the Badlands is one of those destinations that will not disappoint!
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Overview of Badlands National Park
Areas of land made up of soft, easily eroding rock with no (or very limited) vegetation are known as "badlands". With characteristics like buttes, hoodoos, pinnacles, spires and steep slopes, the geology of badlands is often quite unique and difficult to navigate. Other than Antarctica, every continent around the world has badlands.Located in southwest South Dakota, today's Badlands National Park originally joined the national park system as a national monument in 1939. Almost 40 years later, in 1978, the designation was changed to "national park". The park is home to nearly 250,000 acres of land open to visitors for hiking and scenic driving. In addition to amazing landscapes, visitors to the park often encounter a variety of wildlife as well as fossilized remains of animals who roamed the land over 30 million years ago.
Admission to Badlands National Park is free for those with an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. Without a pass, there is a $30.00 per vehicle entrance fee. The fee covers an unlimited number of entries into the park for all vehicle occupants for seven consecutive days.
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North Unit
This one-day guide to Badlands National Park will provide you with a good introduction to the park's North Unit. Sage Creek Rim Road and Badlands Loop Road, two distinctly different but very enjoyable scenic drives, are both located in the North Unit, the park's most popular area. The Badlands Wilderness Area and Cedar Pass Area, accessed along the drives, have scenic overlooks, wandering wildlife and a variety of hiking opportunities.Entering the North Unit is possible from any of three entrance stations:
- Exploring from west to east is best done by entering through the Pinnacles Entrance. Nearest the city of Wall, this entrance provides the easiest access to Sage Creek Rim Road and the Badlands Wilderness Area.
- The Northeast Entrance (closest to the Minuteman Missile NHS Visitor Center) allows tourists to drive from east to west along Badlands Loop Road.
- The Interior Entrance (at the city of Interior), is nearest the park's headquarters. In addition to camping, hiking trails and scenic overlooks all located in the Cedar Pass Area, the year round Ben Reifel Visitor Center is also nearest this entrance.
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Stronghold Unit and Palmer Creek Unit
What is sometimes referred to as the South Unit is actually two units - the Stronghold Unit and the Palmer Creek Unit. Both of these seemingly unknown units are located within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and are managed under a cooperative agreement between the Oglala Lakota and the National Park Service. Discussions have been underway to establish these two units within the park as the nation's first Tribal National Park.There is a scenic drive around the outside of most of the Stronghold Unit. Located in the southeast corner of the Stronghold Unit is the White River Visitor Center (open seasonally). Although the unpaved Sheep Mountain Table Road is passable by high clearance vehicles, no other roads or hiking trails go through either of these two units.
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1. Cedar Pass Area
In order to limit backtracking, the Northeast Entrance is the best place to enter the park if you are planning to spend just one day exploring Badlands National Park. (NOTE: The park's Interior Entrance is just over five miles from our recommended entrance. Seeing and doing each of the points of interest on our list that are in the Cedar Pass Area will require driving almost the entire distance to the Northeast Entrance. After checking these points off of your list, you'll then need to backtrack most of the way back to the entrance where you began your day at the park. Depending on your place of lodging, this might still be your best option.)
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Big Badlands Overlook
The Badlands Wall stretches from the South Dakota cities of Kadoka in the east to Wall in the west. It was the White River that started the erosion of the area's rocks nearly 1/2 million years ago and continues to this day. This erosion created a valley bordered by this 60 mile long perimeter wall to the north.Less than 1/4 mile south of the park's Northeast Entrance is the Big Badlands Overlook. It is this first overlook that gives visitors a look at the Badlands wall which separates the upper prairie from the lower prairie. Make sure to notice the prevailing colors of red and gray in this portion of the wall.
Door Trail
About two miles further south is a parking lot which includes the trailheads for both the Door Trail and the Window Trail (and also the Notch Trail). Hiking the Door Trail (at the north end of the parking lot) is a fun way to get a more up close view of the park's unique landscape.
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Before exploring the rugged badland terrain, the trail starts with an easy stroll along a 100 yard long boardwalk. At the end of the boardwalk, there's a natural door that leads to a more difficult 1/2 mile desert hike.
The goal is to make your way from one yellow metal marker to the next until you reach the "End of Trail" marker for the trail's best view.
Window Trail
Walk (or drive) to the far south end of the parking lot where you'll find the trailhead for the Window Trail. If you walk, you'll find more "open hike" opportunities between the two trailheads. (Unlike many other national parks, off-trail hiking is permitted within Badlands National Park - as long as it can be done safely!)A stroll along the very short and easy 1/4 mile round trip Window Trail is along a boardwalk leading hikers to a "picture window" with a badland view.
Cliff Shelf Nature Trail
About 1.5 miles further down the road is the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail. At only 1/2 mile round trip in total length, the first 100 yards is an accessible boardwalk trail.From the end of the boardwalk, hikers traverse a moderately difficult loop trail through a juniper forest on both gravel pathways and stairs. Notice the colors as you view the badlands wall from its base - no more reds!
Ben Reifel Visitor Center
Named after Lone Feather, the Ben Reifel Visitor Center is the only facility of its kind in the park that is typically open year round. (Congressman Reifel was the state's first member of congress of Lakota heritage.) Although closed during our visit due to the pandemic, a stop at the center would likely enhance any visit to the park.During "normal times", Park Rangers are available to answer questions and make suggestions. There's a 22 minute film, "The Land of Stone and Light" that is regularly shown and there's even hands-on exhibits. Also located at the Visitor Center is a bookstore offering souvenirs, books and more plus the Fossil Preparation Lab. Inside the lab, you can often watch onsite paleontologists as they study rocks in search of fossils.
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2. Badlands Loop Road
The Badlands Loop Road (also known as SD 240) is the most popular scenic drive in the national park. The 27-mile long two-lane paved roadway is, in fact, not a loop at all. It connects the Northeast Entrance in the east with the western Pinnacles Entrance. With at least 10 scenic overlooks, picnic areas and the option for some off-trail hiking, this is a drive you won't want to miss! Be aware that there are some steep climbs along the road as well as some sections with reduced speed limits.
White River Valley Overlook
The first viewpoint along the Badlands Loop Road after leaving the Cedar Pass Area is the White River Valley Overlook.Panorama Point
If you are ready for a snack or picnic lunch, there's a picnic area at Big Foot Pass Overlook, the next viewpoint on your westbound drive. With the views at Big Foot Pass and Panorama Point being similar, a stop at one of the two will save a little time on a packed day. As you might guess, Panorama Point gets its name for the wide-angle landscape view.Burns Basin Overlook
Named after a former area sheep farmer, the homestead of Wilson Burns was visible from the Burns Basin Overlook.Homestead Overlook
Looking out from the Homestead Overlook, park visitors can see the prairie lands as well as the the badlands rock formations. It was land such as this that settlers could claim as their "homestead" after seven years of living on and improving the land in the latter 1800s.Conata Basin Overlook
Continuing west from the Big Badlands Overlook, what starts as muted pink, red, gray and white rock layers transform along the way. Depending on the sun and shadows, at times the colors seem more vibrant and by the Conata Basin Overlook, some yellow tones are introduced.Yellow Mounds Overlook
By the time you are approaching the Yellow Mounds Overlook, there's an even larger expanse of bright yellow rock.It is thought that a shallow sea covered this land. After the water drained away some 65 million years ago, the land was a jungle. The combination of tree roots and chemicals from decaying jungle plants produced a yellow soil. The yellow soil, and later the red soil on top of the yellow, were buried and fossilized. It's those fossilized soils that we see today.
Just after the Yellow Mounds Overlook, you'll see Conata Road (SD 509). If you are ready for a picnic lunch or snack at this point in your drive, the Conata Picnic Ground, a short distance down the road, is your best opportunity.
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Bighorn Sheep Crossing
Just after passing the Ancient Hunters Overlook, watch for the Bighorn Sheep Crossing signs, and more importantly, the bighorn sheep that you may see.Pinnacles Overlook
Walk the 1/10th mile downhill trail at the Pinnacles Overlook out to the observation deck. This overlook is perfect for noticing the many intricate formations (including ravines and spires) that make up the badlands.3. Badlands Wilderness Area
Sage Creek Rim Road (also known as SD 590) is an unpaved dirt and gravel road which follows the park's northern boundary. Traveling west from Pinnacles Overlook, you'll leave the paved SD 240 to continue west on the unpaved road. (Continuing on SD 240 would lead you out of the national park at the Pinnacles Entrance station.)
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The 12-mile one-way journey toward a primitive camping area passes three scenic overlooks plus Roberts Prairie Dog Town. In addition to prairie dogs, you'll likely spot bighorn sheep and maybe even be held up by a bison jam. (Even before the first overlook, we spotted an unmarked pullout on the left side of the road where we stopped to watch some bighorn sheep - including a baby!)
Hay Butte Overlook
Driving from east to west on Sage Creek Rim Road, the Hay Butte Overlook is the first viewpoint which looks out into the wilderness area. In addition to being a lookout for wildlife, notice the unique spires on the badlands.During our visit, this area was extremely windy, so be prepared - just in case!
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Badlands Wilderness Overlook
Starting your drive on Sage Creek Rim Road, you likely noticed that the badlands that you have come to expect within the park are now just found on one side of the road. The other side is covered in grassland (prairie). As you approach the Badlands Wilderness Overlook, the badlands are beginning to slowly disappear.It is in this area where you will likely see some of the national park's free-roaming bison.
Roberts Prairie Dog Town
A stop at Roberts Prairie Dog Town is a must for any lover of small furry creatures. It's oh so fun to both watch and listen to this community of prairie dogs. Watch the prairie dogs peek out of their hole in the ground or groom and feed themselves. Listen for the "chief" prairie dog to send out a warning "bark" when he spots something out of the ordinary. You'll then see the rest of the community duck back into their holes until he "barks" again letting them all know that it is safe to pop outside once again!Sage Creek Basin Overlook
The viewpoint that requires the longest drive down the unpaved Sage Creek Rim Road is Sage Creek Basin Overlook. Your eyes will notice mixed-prairie grassland in much greater concentration than at other viewpoints within the park.Be on the lookout for bison here as well. It was in this area where we experienced a "bison jam" causing our return drive to take much longer than our outbound drive!
At this point, the decision is yours as to whether you continue driving the five additional miles to the campground or retracing your steps back along Sage Creek Rim Road. Driving to the campground gives you additional opportunities for potential animal sightings, so keep your eyes peeled for more of the park's wildlife if that's your choosing. The downside of continuing on is a longer drive along the unpaved road. Once you get to the campground, we recommend turning around so that you don't miss out on what might be one of the best sunsets of your lifetime!
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4. Sunset
Watching the sun set over the badlands can be a perfect way to end your day after exploring the national park. When the conditions are right, seeing the sky and the land formations change colors as the sun moves lower and lower is truly memorable.
The most important rule in choosing a spot for sunset gazing is to find a westward facing location. Viewpoints that come highly recommended for capturing the sunset are Bigfoot Pass, Conata Basin Overlook, Norbeck Pass and Pinnacles Overlook.
For a variety of reasons, our favorite is Pinnacles Overlook. There's plentiful parking, a large viewing platform and an expansive backcountry area which provides an array of options for sunset lovers and photographers alike. Once you are ready to call it a day, Pinnacles is also in a great location for anyone heading toward Wall. It's just one mile from the overlook parking to the Pinnacles Entrance.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Day(s) at Badlands National Park
No matter how many days you have to devote to exploring Badlands National Park, here's some tips that will help you prepare to make the most of your visit:- Don't rely on being able to communicate via cell phone as coverage inside the park is spotty, at best. As with any hiking adventure, it is always a good idea to make sure that someone who is not joining you inside the park knows where you will be and when you plan to return;
- Prepare for a full day by packing all of your gear the evening before your visit so that you are ready to leave for the park as early as possible (NOTE: Sunrise views can also be great, so if you are an early riser, you may want to arrive before dawn for lighter crowds and awesome views);
- Be sure to bring along a camera and, if you have them, binoculars (which can be very helpful with getting a better view of wildlife within the park);
- Dress appropriately for the weather and the activities that you are planning. Comfortable and appropriate shoes, a hat and sunscreen are a must. Depending on the predicted weather, you may want to bring rain gear along as well;
- Pack drinks and eats for the day (water, snacks and food availability is extremely limited within the park - the Cedar Pass Lodge is the only place where potable water and/or food are offered inside Badlands National Park);
- Check the Badlands Ranger Programs website for a calendar of events that are planned during your visit. Depending on the season, Park Rangers may offer hikes, talks, kid's programs and even Night Sky Programs (telescopes included!); and
- Don't enter the park without a full tank of gas - there is no fuel available anywhere inside the park.
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Here are some additional tips as well as some rules to remember once you are inside the national park:
- Keep your camera ready at all times. You can never predict when you will see bison, bighorn sheep or prairie dogs as you drive through the park;
- Animals of all sizes are frequently spotted throughout the park. Because the animals who call the park home are "wild animals", it's extremely important to keep your distance. It is recommended that, as visitors, we maintain a minimum distance of 100-feet away from any wildlife. After all, wild animals are wild;
- Although off-trail hiking is permitted inside Badlands National Park, cars must be completely off of the road when stopped or parked. Look for either a pull-out or designated parking lot for a picnic area, scenic overlook or trailhead;
- When leaving your car, especially if hiking is part of your plan, carry plenty of water. (It is recommended that each hiker carry at least one quart per hour of hiking.) Additionally, having essentials like boots or other hiking shoes, a hat, rain gear, sunglasses and sunscreen should be considered depending on the current weather conditions;
- Before starting out on any hike, make sure that you are capable of the hiking conditions that you will encounter. It is important to know whether the trail is mostly flat or requires climbing or descending along the way; and
- Look with your eyes at all of the cool sights that you see along the way. It is important, however, to remember that it is illegal to remove any animals, fossils, plants or rocks. They should all be left exactly as you find them.
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South Dakota's Badlands Region
The famous Wall Drug and the destinations which comprise the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site are easy to include with any visit to this area of South Dakota. Don't miss our article, "Make the Most of 2 Days in the Badlands Region" to learn more about these nearby attractions.Badlands National Park
If you've previously spent time in the badlands, what are your top picks that you recommend to others who are considering a visit to Badlands National Park?
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