Badlands National Park
A surreal moonscape of striped, eroded spires and buttes rising from the South Dakota prairie - stark, colourful and full of fossils and bison.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
The Badlands rise from the South Dakota grassland as a surreal maze of eroded spires, ridges and buttes banded in reds, golds and greys, sculpted from ancient sediments rich in fossils. Stark and colourful, roamed by bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs, it is one of the most otherworldly landscapes in the country.
What you actually see
- The Badlands Loop Road - the scenic drive with overlooks over the striped formations.
- Sunrise and sunset - the banded rock glowing in the low light.
- Wildlife - bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn and prairie dog towns.
- Fossils - the ancient mammal fossils the badlands are famous for.
When to go
Late spring and early autumn for mild weather; summer is very hot and exposed, winter cold and windy. Sunrise and sunset light the formations most dramatically.
Honest expectations
It is stark and exposed with little shade, so summer heat and sudden storms are a real factor. It is remote on the northern plains, best combined with the wider Black Hills region. The formations are seen mostly from the drive and short trails.
Nearby
Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills are to the west near Rapid City; the Wall Drug roadside stop is on the way.
What to pack for Badlands National Park
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
