The Badlands is a landscape that literally appears out of nowhere in the middle of nowhere South Dakota. There is no advertising for it because the state is too obsessed with Wall Drug to spare much more signage. You might as well start counting the amount of signs you see for Wall Drug the moment you cross the border. There are over 300 billboards, I'm not kidding. There is also one in every state apparently. So as you are driving you will see all of the signs for the allusive wall drug but none for the national park until a landscape that looks straight out of the Lord of rings appears. The park was established in 1978 to protect some of the worlds richest fossil beds and eroded buttes.
Dos:
Fuel Up Beforehand: Given its slightly remote location, make sure to fill up your gas tank before heading to the park. It's a good practice to ensure you have a smooth and uninterrupted exploration.Get gas before coming to the park as it is slightly remote compared to others, it's about 75 miles to Rapid City, SD.
Stop at the Corn Palace: If you're driving from the lower Midwest (we came from Kansas) stop at the corn palace. It is the largest and only building with corn art covering it both inside and out and is redesigned each year. When we saw the advertisement for this place it was too bizarre not to stop and even more bizarre in person.
Have Your Parks Pass Ready: Whether you possess a parks pass or need to purchase an entry ticket ($30), it's essential to have everything prepared before you arrive at the park entrance to avoid any delays.
Explore the Overlooks: Upon entering the park, the first overlook you encounter provides an excellent opportunity to delve into the geological wonders of the Badlands. Take some time to understand the unique layers of color and the formation of these clay deposits through millions of years of erosion.
Hike the Easy Door and Window Trails: Trails like the Door and Window offer a leisurely walk and a chance to marvel at the natural badlands wall, the "door," and the breathtaking view through the "window." The boardwalk keeps you safe as you navigate this fragile environment.The doors trail does have a section where you are allowed to roam freely in the badlands. We took full advantage of this. Each trial is about half a mile round trip and an easy walk.
Conquer the Notch Trail: For a bit more adventure, the Notch Trail offers a short and exhilarating hike that includes ascending a log ladder to a cliff and hiking along a higher elevation, revealing stunning valley views. This trail was a quick mile and a half and so much fun.
Sunset at Pinnacle Overlook: To capture a moment reminiscent of the Lion King, head to Pinnacle Overlook at sunset. The dramatic lighting casts the landscape in a mesmerizing glow.
Sage Creek Dispersed Campsite: Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the Badlands by staying at Sage Creek dispersed campsite (free!). Though it lacks service, the abundance of stars and the serenity of the badlands more than compensate.
Collect goodies at the Visitor Center: Don't forget to stop by the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to gather information, ask questions, and collect your stamp as a token of your visit.
Don’ts:
Avoid Cliff Shelf Hike: The Cliff Shelf hike might not be worth the effort, offering a mediocre view reminiscent of the flat and barren landscapes of my home land, Kansas.
Skip Untreated Gravel Roads: Go down an untreated gravel road for 30 miles that makes parts of your car fall off. Driving over ruts in the road for more than 20 minutes actually becomes painful. We finally arrived at the campsite and contemplated if it was even worth it and how we could just stay there to avoid the car shaking/body vibrating experience we just endured.
Stray from the Others at Campsites: We parked in the middle of the valley for privacy and wonder why no one else did. After it got dark and the 40 mph winds rolled in we realized our error. Park next to others to avoid your car shaking all night or closer to the hills.
Neglect Ear Protection: Forget headphones or earplugs. We heard loud cries all night and had no service to research what was happening. So upon leaving at the crack of dawn from the lack of sleep we learned prairie dogs scream all night. Pack headphones or earplugs to ensure a peaceful night's rest.
Leave Tents Unzipped: Given the dusty environment, remember to zip up your tent completely before turning in for the night. Do not leave your tent screens open not matter how hot it is. When the wind rolls in, it brings so much dust from the dry environment with it.
Avoid Bison Cautiously: While bison roam freely in the park, remember to keep a safe distance. These majestic creatures may seem indifferent, but they are wild animals that demand respect. They do not care about you or your car this is their home and you simply do not exist to them so they will just stop anywhere and stay there.
Stay Hydrated: The dry climate of the Badlands can quickly lead to dehydration. Carry sufficient water to ensure you stay hydrated, especially if you plan to spend the day hiking.
The Badlands National Park offers a mesmerizing blend of natural beauty and enigmatic landscapes. Overall Badlands was a fun and bizarre experience where a lot can be learned from the environment.
Onto the next sky!
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