Are you ready for an adventure that will take your breath away? Welcome to the Badlands of South Dakota, a place where rugged beauty meets prehistoric wonder. In this guide, we’ll explore the top things to do in the Badlands South Dakota and some nearby attractions that will make your trip truly unforgettable.
1. Hiking | 2. Wildlife Encounters | 3. Stargazing | 4. Fossil Hunting | 5. Scenic Drives | 6. Photography | 7. Camping | 8. Ranger-Led Programs | 9. Native American Heritage | 10. Day Trips | Wrapping Up
1. Hiking the Scenic Trails
Castle Trail
- Time Commitment: 4-5 Hours
- Pets: No
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Start before noon to finish before nightfall
- Reservation Needed: No
Castle Trail’s 10-mile round trip is the park’s longest, offering diverse terrain and excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. It takes you through prairie grasslands and badlands formations, with fossil hunting possibilities along the way.
Notch Trail
- Time Commitment: 1-1.5 Hours
- Pets: No
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Morning, Late Afternoon
- Reservations: No
A short but adventurous 1.5-mile round trip featuring a log ladder and breathtaking views. This trail isn’t for the faint-hearted – it includes steep drop-offs and narrow ledges. The reward is a stunning “window” view of the White River Valley. Avoid this trail during or after rain, as it can become dangerously slippery.
Fossil Exhibit Trail
- Time Commitment: 30 Minutes
- Pets: No
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Any Time
- Reservations: No
An easy 0.25-mile boardwalk trail showcasing fossil replicas and explaining the area’s prehistoric life. This trail is wheelchair accessible and offers informative panels about the park’s paleontological history. It’s a great starting point to understand the ancient life that once roamed here, from tiny ancient horses to giant rhino-like creatures.
2. Wildlife Encounters in the Badlands
Animals to Spot
The Badlands hosts a diverse array of wildlife. Bison, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope roam the grasslands. Prairie dogs create vast underground towns. Lucky visitors might spot rarely seen species like the swift fox or the endangered black-footed ferret, reintroduced to the park in 1994.
Sage Creek Wilderness Area
- Time Commitment: 1-4 Hours
- Pets: No
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Morning, Late Afternoon
- Reservations: No
Sage Creek Wilderness Area is excellent for bison viewing, especially near watering holes.
Roberts Prairie Dog Town
- Time Commitment: 30-60 Minutes
- Pets: No
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Any Time
- Reservations: No
Roberts Prairie Dog Town offers guaranteed sightings of these social rodents.
3. Stargazing in Badlands’ Dark Skies
Night Sky Program
- Time Commitment: 1-2 Hours
- Pets: No
- Season: Summer, Early Fall
- Time Of Day: Night
- Reservations: Yes
During summer months, join rangers for guided stargazing sessions. These programs often include telescope viewing and constellation tours. You’ll learn about the park’s efforts to preserve its dark sky and how light pollution affects wildlife and human health.
Pinnacles Overlook
- Time Commitment: 1-2 Hours
- Pets: Yes
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Night
- Reservations: No
Pinnacles Overlook offers excellent views of the night sky. The Badlands is one of the darkest places in the country, allowing visibility of up to 7,500 stars on a clear night. In comparison, most urban areas only allow visibility of about 500 stars.
It also provides one of the best sunset views in the park, so consider taking a second trip to catch that beauty.
4. Fossil Hunting and Paleontology
Fossil Preparation
- Time Commitment: 30-60 Minutes
- Pets: No
- Season: All Year
- Time Of Day: Morning to Early Afternoon
- Reservations: Yes
Watch paleontologists at work in the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Here, scientists carefully clean and preserve fossils found in the park. Visitors can ask questions and learn about the latest discoveries. The lab often showcases fossils in various stages of preparation, offering a behind-the-scenes look at paleontological work.
Junior Paleontologist Program
- Time Commitment: 2-3 Hours
- Pets: No
- Season: Summer
- Time Of Day: Morning to Afternoon
- Reservations: Check with the Ben Reifel Visitor Center
Kids (and adults) can earn a badge by completing fun, educational activities. This program teaches participants how to identify different types of fossils, the importance of leaving fossils in place, and the geological history of the Badlands. It’s a great way to engage deeply with the park’s prehistoric past.
5. Scenic Drives: Badlands and Beyond
Badlands Loop Road
- Time Commitment: 1-2 Hours
- Pets: Yes
- Season: All Year
- Time Of Day: Any Time
- Reservations: No
This 39-mile scenic drive offers numerous overlooks and wildlife viewing opportunities. Patient observers can spot bighorn sheep scaling the rocky buttes.
Also make sure to view the Yellow Mounds Overlook, showcasing vibrant yellow and red striped rocks.
Needles Highway
- Time Commitment: 2-3 Hours
- Pets: Yes
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall (Closed in Winter)
- Time Of Day: Any Time
- Reservations: No
Just a short drive away in Custer State Park, Needles Highway’s 14 miles of road weaves through stunning rock formations. It includes narrow tunnels and hairpin turns, offering a thrilling drive. The “Eye of the Needle” is a must-see, a granite spire with a small opening at its base.
6. Landscape Photography
The Badlands’ otherworldly landscape offers endless composition possibilities.
Door Trail
- Time Commitment: 45-60 Minutes
- Pets: No
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Morning, Late Afternoon
- Reservations: No
The Door Trail provides easy access to stunning views, especially at sunrise.
Conata Basin Overlook
- Time Commitment: 15-30 Minutes
- Pets: No
- Season: All Year
- Time Of Day: Any Time (Especially Sunset)
- Reservations: No
The Conata Basin Overlook is less visited but offers dramatic vistas. Use a wide-angle lens for your phone or panoramic photo to capture the vastness of the landscape.
Panorama Point
- Time Commitment: 15-30 Minutes
- Pets: No
- Season: All Year
- Time Of Day: Any Time (Especially Sunset)
- Reservations: No
Panorama Point lives up to its name, offering sweeping views that are particularly stunning at sunset. Arrive early to scout your location and set up.
7. Camping Under the Badlands Stars
Cedar Pass Campground
- Time Commitment: Overnight
- Pets: Yes (Leashed)
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Any Time
- Reservations: Yes
Offers basic amenities and stunning views. Each site has a shade shelter and picnic table. The campground’s proximity to the Ben Reifel Visitor Center makes it convenient for joining ranger programs and accessing trailheads.
Sage Creek Campground
- Time Commitment: Overnight
- Pets: Yes (Leashed)
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Any Time
- Reservations: First come, first serve
More rustic, but great for wilderness lovers and bison spotting. This free, first-come-first-served campground has vault toilets but no water. It’s accessible via an unpaved road, offering a more secluded experience. Bison often wander through the campground, providing unique photo opportunities.
Backcountry Camping
- Time Commitment: Overnight
- Pets: Yes
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Any Time
- Reservations: First come, first serve
For the adventurous, backcountry camping is allowed with some restrictions. You must camp at least 0.5 miles from any road or trail and not visible from roads. This offers a chance to experience the Badlands in complete solitude. Always practice Leave No Trace principles and be prepared for changing weather conditions.
8. Ranger-Led Programs in the Badlands
Geology Walk
- Time Commitment: 1-2 Hours
- Pets: No
- Season: Summer, Early Fall
- Time Of Day: Morning
- Reservations: Contact Ben Reifel Visitor Center
Join rangers for in-depth explorations of the park’s unique formations in the Geology Walk. Learn about the different rock layers, how they formed, and what they tell us about Earth’s history. These walks often include hands-on examinations of rock samples and discussions about ongoing erosion and its effects on the landscape.
Fossil Talks
- Time Commitment: 30 Minutes
- Pets: No
- Season: Summer, Early Fall
- Time Of Day: Morning, Afternoon
- Reservations: Contact Ben Reifel Visitor Center
Discover the prehistoric life that once roamed here at the Fossil Talks. Rangers explain how fossils form, what types are commonly found in the park, and how paleontologists use them to understand ancient ecosystems. These talks often include displays of real fossils found in the park.
Evening Programs
- Time Commitment: 30 Minutes
- Pets: No
- Season: Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall (May 24 – Sept 7)
- Time Of Day: Night (8:00-9:00 PM depending on month)
- Reservations: No
Enjoy talks on various topics at the amphitheater. Subjects range from wildlife biology to park history and Native American culture. These programs often include multimedia presentations and Q&A sessions. They’re a great way to deepen your understanding of the park’s significance.
9. Exploring Native American Heritage
White River Visitor Center
- Time Commitment: 1-2 Hours
- Pets: No
- Season: Summer Only
- Time Of Day: Morning to Afternoon
- Reservations: No
Learn about the Oglala Lakota people and their connection to the land. This center, located in the park’s South Unit, offers exhibits on Lakota culture and history. It’s staffed by tribal members who provide unique insights into their heritage and relationship with the Badlands.
Red Cloud Art Show
- Time Commitment: 1-2 Hours
- Pets: No
- Season: Summer (June-August)
- Time Of Day: Day Time
- Reservations: No
This show is held at The Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge and features contemporary Native American art.
Lakota Culture Living History Village
- Time Commitment: 1-2 Hours
- Pets: No
- Season: Summer
- Time Of Day: Day Time
- Reservations: Contact site to confirm
Understand the spiritual significance of the nearby Black Hills to Native American tribes. The Oglala Lakota Living History Village offers guided tours showcasing Oglala Lakota life from the late 1800s to 1960s. Local Oglala guides lead visitors through various historical dwelling types (tipis, canvas tents, log cabins) while sharing cultural knowledge and history.
10. Day Trips from the Badlands
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Time Commitment: 2-3 Hours
- Pets: Yes (Restricted areas)
- Season: All Year (Limited winter access during snow)
- Time Of Day: Any Time (Evening lighting ceremony in summer)
- Reservations: No
A must-see American icon, just 1.5 hours from the Badlands. Beyond the famous carved faces, explore the sculptor’s studio and learn about the monument’s controversial history. The evening lighting ceremony is particularly impressive.
Black Hills National Forest
- Time Commitment: Half Day to Full Day
- Pets: Yes (Leashed)
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall (Limited winter access)
- Time Of Day: Any Time
- Reservations: No (except for campgrounds)
Offers hiking, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing. Don’t miss the Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park. The forest’s diverse landscape, from grasslands to pine forests, provides a stark contrast to the Badlands.
Wall Drug Store
- Time Commitment: 1-2 Hours
- Pets: No (Service animals only)
- Season: All Year
- Time Of Day: Morning to Evening (8AM-6PM)
- Reservations: No
This famous roadside attraction in Wall, SD started by offering free ice water to travelers. Today, the Wall Drug Store is a sprawling complex of shops, restaurants, and kitschy attractions. Don’t miss the giant animated T-Rex, the backyard playground, the donuts, and yes, the still-free ice water.
Create Lasting Memories in the Badlands
From hiking through otherworldly landscapes to gazing at star-filled skies, the things to do in the Badlands South Dakota are truly endless. So, pack your bags, bring your sense of wonder, and prepare for an unforgettable journey through one of America’s most unique landscapes.
Have you visited the Badlands? We’d love to hear about your experiences! Drop a comment below and share your favorite memories or tips for fellow travelers.
Related Resources
- Are you going to road trip to the Badlands? Check out our guide to making your own homemade car emergency kit to make sure you are roadside ready.
- Taking your RV to the Badlands? Ensure a smooth journey with our RV maintenance checklist.
- Not sure if you are ready to take the trip? Read our list of the top 14 books about backpacking to ignite your wanderlust.
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