This rugged National Park is known for its beautiful landscapes, amazing sunrises and sunsets, exhilarating hikes, and abundant wildlife. Before deciding on the name for Badlands National Park, a suggested name was Wonderland National Park. A boardwalk trail takes you past 75 million years of history and the fossils of the animals that once inhabited this land. Walking a short distance gets you closer to the striped rock formations and colorful pinnacles. It is a 0.25 mile boardwalk trail that takes you to a viewpoint of the Badlands. Driving this road without stopping would take approximately an hour and 15 minutes one-way, but once you add stopping to take advantage of the overlooks, hikes, and walks, this drive can take up to a full day depending on what you decide to do. We visited the Badlands in early October and had a great experience. This is a great way to see this part of the park before continuing on to Rapid City at the end of your visit. On top of a menu of delicious meals, Red Rock has billiards for those who enjoy playing a game of pool among friends. For those that are especially into astronomy, visit the Badlands in July during the annual Badlands Astronomy Festival where scientists, educators and astronomy-enthusiasts of all ages gather to share their love of all things space. The visitor center has interactive exhibits, a 95-seat indoor theater, ranger-led programs and more. The trailhead for the Door Trail is located at the opposite end of the parking lot. Current Conditions: Get updated conditions in Badlands National Park before your visit on the official National Park Service website. Lets look at these different options to help you determine which works best for your vacation needs. Sage Creek Rim Road is located in Badlands National Parks western section. 10 miles roundtrip. Red Rock Restaurant and Lounge is located in Wall, 13 miles from Badlands National Park. Planning a trip in December or January is your best option for those seeking a quiet, less crowded trip to Badlands National Park. Cheers, Julie. This is not an official overlook but we really liked it. This is a hands-on area, so visitors are encouraged to feel, touch, and interact with the exhibits along the way. There's easilyenoughtofillfivedaysor more, but withonlya half-day of free time, theyneedtobestrategic. Individual passes are good for 7 days and cost $15 per visitor. Despite the origin of its name, Badlands National Park is easily accessible and explored by vehicle. Join fellow alumni and friends on a journey that celebrates the American West's magnificent National Parks, tracing legends and storied monuments along the way. For more information on our advertisers and how we make money, see our advertising policy here. The highest temperatures reach 116 degrees and the lowest -40 degrees. Located in extreme southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park is easily accessible by car either on S. Dak. The weather in Badlands National Park varies throughout the year. With one day in Badlands National Park, here are the best things to see and do: For a full list of things to do in Badlands National Park, dont miss our post 15 Great Things to Do in Badlands National Park. You could also choose to visit in the shoulder season (spring/autumn) or on weekdays. This event is perfect for space science professionals, educators, amateur astronomers, and visitors to learn how Badlands National Park protects the sky through activities and presentations. The National Park Service has a backcountry camping resource page if this sounds interesting. The Badlands Natural History Association has several different options available on its website. NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. This overlook is one of Tims favorites. You will pass through the park entrance station, which may not yet be open, especially if you are getting here at sunrise. Medicine Root Loop (North Unit) a 4-mile moderate hike that connects up with the Castle Trail and passes through grasslands with great badlands views. NPS Photo Park Hours Badlands National Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is no need to visit all of them since they get repetitive (we stopped at every single one of them so we know). Do you have other questions about visiting Badlands National Park, one of the jewels of the Great Plains? Wall is only 7 miles from the park, about a 10-minute drive. They will receive an I Walked the Badlands patch and bragging rights. Like most national parks, there are entrance fees to access Badlands National Park: There is also an annual pass for Badlands National Park, which costs $50. The restaurant features a pool table and a jukebox, which makes this stop a great place to unwind and have fun with family or friends. Wrapping it all up, the last thing you need to know is where to stay in Badlands; heres a breakdown of your options. This road is a well-maintained gravel road that is suitable for standard cars. Park at the Saddle Pass trailhead. The park is filled with a rich history of the Lakota tribe. 9 years ago Save We are a family of five, two adults, three kids 11, 11, 12 at the time (next June, 2015). 1. With so much to see and do in the Badlands, youre bound to make good memories so start planning your visit today! How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers (places to go and the driving route). 44, provides direct access to the Badlands, Black Hills, and Mount Rushmore. Your email address will not be published. Here are some of the best times to visit Badlands National Park. Can we buy our America Beautiful National Park Pass at the Badlands Visitor Center? Werecommendphotostopsat Big Badlands Overlook, positioned on the east end of theloop, and the Pinnacles and Yellow Mounds overlooks, both closerto the west end of theloop. A 2-day trip will allow you to see the significant points of interest, hike several trails, and learn about the park at the visitor centers. Get the full details on how to do this hike in our Guide to the Notch Trail. Wall is a 10-minute drive from Badlands National Park and a fantastic place to stay. We stopped at all of the rest, and Doors and Windows was a great short hike . As recently as the early 1800s, there were roughly 30 million bison roaming North America. We hope these cool facts about the Badlands inspire you to start planning your own adventure. Interior is an excellent place to set up a base camp when visiting Badlands National Park. If traveling west on I-90, take Exit 131 ( Interior) and follow the signs directing vehicles southit's roughly three miles to the Northeast entrance of Badlands National Park. Prairie dogs can be seen at the openings of their burrows, and you can even hear them barking to warn their fellow friends as others approach. Between the second week of June and the third week of September, you can visit the Fossil Preparation Lab in the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to watch paleontologists work and learn more about the ancient life they get to handle every day. This road becomes Badlands Loop Road, the park's primary scenic . 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. The park has you covered if you prefer to purchase a paper map. It features a walk through a scenic canyon, a climb up a wooden ladder, and a brief walk along a cliff trail. The NotchTrailchannelshikersthrough acanyonbefore aclimbup asurpriselog-ladder, putting them on aledgeabout half-way through. Fossil Exhibit Trail is the best place for those who want to learn about fossils and the discoveries made in the Badlands National Park area. is what someone would say who doesnt know that the Great Plains are full of natural wonders and fun destinations to explore. Those who want to stay in this area must make reservations in advance and be prepared to pay a nightly fee. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. The main thing to keep in mind there is bringing enough supplies for your hike and being prepared for the environment (heat, sun, wind). These activities include technology demonstrations, solar telescope viewings, and stargazing. Info Alerts Maps Calendar Fees NPS.gov Park Home Plan Your Visit Plan Your Visit The park offers a variety of activities -- from hiking, to paved and unpaved roads, to camping! Stewarding Conservation and Powering Our Future, about Public Servants are the Backbone of Interior, about Explore Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage, Toggle Dyslexia-friendly black-on-creme color scheme, Secretarial Schedules (July 2018-July2019), Public Servants are the Backbone of Interior, Explore Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage, Biden-Harris Administration Leaders Discuss Good Jobs in the Clean Economy. Badlands National Park has an interesting past life. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. If only spending a day, read our one day itinerary for Badlands National Park. However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. Hiking is not one of the top activities in Badlands National Park, but there are some trails to enjoy if thats what you love doing in the great outdoors! To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. This has been a favorite stop for visitors since the 1930s. A trip to Badlands National Park during this time of year will provide travelers with a great money-saving opportunity and a less crowded visit at the same time. If you have any questions about how to spend one day in Badlands National Park, let us know in the comment section below. You can also review our credit card rating methodology. Terms apply to the offers below. 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