Located on the edge of our country’s Great Plains in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park consists of
244,000 acres
of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest, protected mixed-grass prairie in the United States.
How long does it take to go through the Badlands?
Start to Finish: Park rangers suggest spending
two full days
to truly experience the park, but you can certainly visit in less time. If you have one full day to spend, plan on being at the park for both sunrise and sunset – the light cast over the Badlands is incredible.
How much area do the Badlands cover?
It lies in a semiarid high-plains region mostly between the Cheyenne and White rivers, 40 miles (65 km) southeast of Rapid City, and occupies an area of
379 square miles (982 square km)
.
How many acres is the Badlands?
Near the Black Hills of South Dakota, Badlands National Park grants visitors access to
244,000 acres
of scenic landscapes, incredible geological formations, diverse wildlife and much more.
Is the Badlands worth seeing?
The scenery is beautiful and stunning. Nice hiking trails (can get hot so bring water).
The is definitely worth a visit
. You can see a lot just driving through, but if you like to hike there are some nice options for that too.
How long does it take to drive the Badlands Loop?
It would take
about one hour
to drive the 39-mile loop of South Dakota Highway 240 between the towns of Cactus Flat and Wall without stopping, but almost no one does that.
Can you camp anywhere in the Badlands?
Backcountry camping is permitted anywhere within Badlands National Park — no permit needed — as long as the campsite isn’t visible from any of the park’s roads or trails and is at least a half-mile away.
Can you just drive through the Badlands?
Driving Badlands Loop Road
Badlands Loop Road (SD 240) is a spectacular way to see the North Unit of Badlands National Park. This two-lane paved road is
appropriate for all motor vehicles
but does include several steep passes and sections with reduced speed limits.
How much does it cost to drive through the Badlands?
Park entrance fees will be
$30/vehicle; $25/motorcycle; $15/individual
; and the Badlands Annual Pass will be $55. The price of the annual America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass and Lifetime Senior Pass will remain $80.
Is Mount Rushmore in the Badlands?
The Black Hills & Badlands of South Dakota
From the four faces carved high on
Mount Rushmore
and the Cathedral Spires of Custer State Park to the wondrous caverns of Wind Cave, from the otherworldly Badlands in the east to Devils Tower in the west – the Black Hills are home to many truly monumental places.
Are there bears in the Badlands?
Predators like the
wolf and grizzly bear
, which once culled the bison herds are no longer allowed to live in this part of the country. Now, it is the responsibility of the park to periodically remove some of the bison, so their numbers do not increase beyond the capacity of the area to support them.
Do you have to pay to drive through the Badlands?
Badlands National Park is
waiving the typical entrances fees of $30.00 for private vehicles, $25.00 for motorcycles and $15.00 for bicyclists
. The entrance fee waiver does not cover amenity or user fees for camping.
How tall are the Badlands?
The South Unit, or Stronghold District, includes sites of 1890s Ghost Dances, a former United States Air Force bomb and gunnery range, and Red Shirt Table, the park’s highest point at
3,340 feet (1,020 m)
. Authorized as Badlands National Monument on March 4, 1929, it was not established until January 25, 1939.
Are the Badlands and Black Hills the same?
These are the Black Hills
. And then, just to their east stretches one of the most inexplicable landscapes in all the country. The forests of the Black Hills quickly transform into a martian landscape left desolate by water and wind. South Dakota’s Badlands are a testament to the power of nature.
Are the Badlands sacred?
The area is sacred to the tribe
because it sheltered survivors of the Wounded Knee Massacre in the winter of 1890, when U.S. soldiers slaughtered more than 150 American Indians, many of them women and children.
Is the Devils Tower in the Badlands?
Devils Tower National Monument |
Black Hills & Badlands
– South Dakota.
What is the best part of Badlands National Park?
- Yellow Mounds. Yellow Mounds Overlook. Photo: Beth Mancuso.
- Conata Basin. Conata Basin. Photo: Beth Mancuso.
- Notch Trail. Notch Trail. Photo: Beth Mancuso.
- Norbeck Pass. Norbeck Pass. Photo: Beth Mancuso.
- Sage Creek Road. Sage Creek Rim Road. Photo: Beth Mancuso.
What is the best time to visit the Badlands?
Due to the uptick in sightseers, the best time to visit the park is during the shoulder seasons of
spring, April through June, and fall, September through November
. If you find yourself in the park during the peak season of summer, be sure to hit the trails as early as possible to avoid crowds and the heat.
Is there cell service in the Badlands?
Cell phones will not work in most areas of the park
, so do not rely on them if you become lost or disoriented.
Can you drive an RV through the Badlands?
The Badlands Loop Road is the only paved route through the park.
The Sage Creek Rim Road is gravel and dirt and can be driven in an RV
. Be sure to check conditions though, since this road can close after heavy rain or snowstorms. The final road, Sheep Mountain Table, is not suggested if you don’t have four-wheel drive.
Can you see Badlands from 90?
Location.
I-90 is located directly north of Badlands National Park
making this one of the easier parks to visit around the nation in terms of distance from an interstate.
Can you sleep in your car at Badlands?
So
yes – you can sleep in your car at all national parks
– at most parks you need to be in an actual campground or have a backcountry permit.
Can you Boondock in Badlands?
The so-called Badlands Boondocking dispersed camping area is located just north of the National Park on State Highway 240
, which connects the Badlands to the town of Wall, SD. The camping area is approximately 3 miles north of the Pinnacles Entrance to Badlands National Park.
Can you stay overnight in the Badlands?
There are many different ways to spend a night in Badlands National Park.
The only lodging available in the park is at Cedar Pass Lodge, which offers cabin rentals
. For more information and booking, visit their website. For those interested in front-country camping, the park offers two official campgrounds.
Where do you fly into for Badlands?
Rapid City Regional Airport
is located 55 miles from Badlands National Park, a convenient drive to numerous park overlooks. Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, United and Boutique Air all fly into and out of the airport.
