Badlands national park. It covers an area of 100. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. Families? Attend a Junior Ranger Program and hike Fossil Exhibit Trail, a great place for little ones to explore. Discover cultural history, see fossils, and learn about Lakota heritage for a smooth visit to this unique national destination. If you are looking to make a reservation for either the Cedar Pass campground, you can go to the main reservation page here. The Badlands are perfect for travelers seeking U. The national park boundaries encompass an area of 379. Provided by Touchpoints Explore Badlands National Park in South Dakota with Recreation. S. 4 km 2) [1] of sharply eroded buttes and pinnacles, along with the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the United States. In the North Unit, the two main roads are the Badlands Loop Road and Sage Creek Rim Road. The South Unit has no roads that go directly through the Apr 27, 2022 · Download the free NPS app for access to maps of every national park—that work both online and off! The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. Mar 4, 2025 · Badlands National Park has something to offer every visitor. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today. The park is divided into two main units: the North Unit and the South Unit. Badlands National Park Badlands National Park is an underrated gem in the US national park system. Some lived in the subtropical forests that flourished after the retreat of the inland sea; others inhabited the savannahs and grasslands that came in the years afterward. Jun 28, 2020 · Badlands National Park contains a number of stories. 3 sq mi; 982. Apr 23, 2021 · Badlands National Park is located in a rural area of the country where cell service is not always available and GPS directions are not always reliable. Learn about the best overlooks, trails, sunrises, and sunsets in this guide with photos and map. Experienced hikers? Check out a social trail and backcountry camp for the night. 6 sq km). Badlands National Park (Lakota: Makȟóšiča[3]) is a national park of the United States in southwestern South Dakota. Ancie Badlands National Park offers some of the most striking otherworldly landscapes found in South Dakota. Explore the rugged beauty and rich fossil beds of Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Plan your Badlands National Park trip with our guide to the best time to visit, top things to do, scenic drives, hikes, and travel tips. The colorful badlands are filled with zebra-striped buttes and spires that create one of the most photogenic landscapes in the USA. The North Unit is the most visited and accessible part of the park, featuring the iconic Badlands Loop Road. May 29, 2025 · Plan your trip to Badlands National Park with key visitor info on passes, visitor centers, weather, accessibility, and wildlife spotting. The park protects 242,756 acres (379. Jul 8, 2025 · The Badlands were authorized as a national monument in 1929 and officially designated a national park in 1978, ensuring that 244,000 acres of otherworldly rock formations, prairies, wildlife and one of the world’s most abundant fossil beds would be preserved and protected. Oct 18, 2020 · Discover the colorful and scenic Badlands, home to bison, bighorn sheep, and fossils. . 2 square miles (259. gov. The Badlands Wilderness is a further designation of an area with the national park. Find camping, hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing activities, as well as site passes and directions. Find out what there is to do. The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. Dec 8, 2020 · These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Sore feet from days of exploring? Drive the Badlands Loop Road and keep an eye out for wildlife! Learn about all the different activities Feb 11, 2025 · Below you will find various options for activities and camping within Badlands National Park. 4 sq km). These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. The table mountain known as Red Shirt Table is the Badlands National Park covers an area of approximately 244,000 acres (98,740 hectares). national parks that combine breathtaking natural scenery with rich cultural history. Familiarizing yourself with park maps and directions can make navigating the park much easier. For cabin and lodge reservations, you will need to contact Cedar Pass Lodge. 3 square miles (982. It captivates with its stark rock formations and rolling prairies. Sunrise and sunset are the best time to see the park aglow in the warm light Badlands National Park is a vast wilderness of jagged buttes, spires and pinnacles, mixed-grass prairies, and the world’s richest trove of fossils from the Oligocene epoch, estimated at 23 to 35 million years old. Whether you're interested in a 75-million year old fossil record, archeological finds dating back 12,000 years, or recent monitoring of the park's mixed-grass prairie, you're sure to find something that interests you. Information for camping, hiking, and much more. Easy to visit and fun to explore, this park is well worth a day or two of your time. Aug 28, 2025 · Badlands Fossils An array of extinct animals, from enormous to very small, once ranged the area now in Badlands National Park. Use the links below to navigate to the park's learning portals, where you can check out articles and read about the many An official form of the United States government. The park mainly appeals to nature lovers, photographers, hikers, and families seeking Badlands National Park is located in the northern United States in the southwestern corner of the state of South Dakota. dourj lkboj kuaoa svef jfwvaw wkhyyrf vkjqg ejccapl eruymv kij