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National park · Rapid City, South Dakota
Badlands National Park
Cliffs, towers and valleys of striped rock in shades of pink and ochre on the plains, with fossils, bison and prairie dogs.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park protects one of the most unusual landscapes of the Great Plains: cliffs, jagged spires and deep valleys carved by erosion in layers of sedimentary rock striped in pink, ochre, gray and white. The name comes from the Lakota people and French hunters, who called the region bad lands to cross.
The rocks hold one of the richest mammal fossil deposits in the world, with extinct animals such as rhinoceroses and primitive horses; at the visitor center there is a lab where paleontologists work in view of the public. The park’s scenic road, the Badlands Loop Road, passes overlooks like Pinnacles and Yellow Mounds and short trails among the formations.
In the prairie area live bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dog towns, especially along the dirt Sage Creek Road.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
A full day.
Best time
From May to September; at sunrise and sunset the light brings out the colors of the rocks. In summer, midday is very hot.
How to get there
By car, about an hour and a half from Rapid City via I-90, entering at the Pinnacles or Interior entrance.
Tip
There is an entrance fee per vehicle; check the park website. Bring plenty of water, as there is little shade and few services.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Badlands National Park
How long does a visit to Badlands Park take?
A full day for the scenic drive, overlooks, and short trails.
Are there animals in Badlands Park?
Yes: bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs, especially in the Sage Creek area.
How far is Rapid City from the Badlands?
About an hour and a half by car via I-90.