Badlands National Park: a first timer’s guide

07.06.2024 - 13:37 / lonelyplanet.com

Wander through a prehistoric wonderland of colorful rock formations, fossils, and prairies in southwest South Dakota.

The surreal landscapes of South Dakota’s Badlands National Park were created over millions of years. Rivers raged and winds gusted, depositing layer upon layer of rock until buttes and spires pointed toward the sky. Each layer is a different hue as if painted stripes of yellow, orange, purple, gray and tan. It’s the kind of place that makes you gasp out loud. Next, comes silence as you soak it all in. 

The Lakota called this region "mako sica" which means "bad lands". It’s a fitting name for such a daunting place. The winters were cold and stormy, the summers were dry and hot, and canyons and buttes created an unforgiving maze. Archaeological evidence suggests the Lakota hunted here seasonally without establishing a permanent habitat. 

The Badlands were authorized as a national monument in 1929 and officially designated as a national park in 1978, ensuring that 244,000 acres of otherworldly rock formations, prairies, wildlife, and one of the world’s most abundant fossil beds would be preserved and protected. Here’s how to plan a trip to Badlands National Park to see it for yourself. 

Badlands National Park is open 24 hours, 365 days a year. In summer, temperatures rise as high as 114℉ (45℃). This is the time of year when the park is busiest (although with 244,000 acres, it rarely feels crowded). If you plan to engage in outdoor recreation, carry plenty of water and head out in the morning before it gets too hot. Monitor the weather and schedule activities like scenic drives and trips to visitor centers during the hottest parts of the day so you’ll have air conditioning to cool you down. 

In winter, Badlands National Park receives up to two feet of snow and temperatures can fall to below 40℉ (4℃). Gear up for extreme cold and check the NPS website for up-to-date information on road closures and driving conditions before your visit.

The April/May or September/October shoulder seasons are the best times to visit Badlands National Park. Temperatures are mild and the park is generally uncrowded. September is especially rewarding with temperatures up to the mid-70s (23℃) and relatively few visitors after Labor Day. 

Plan to budget two to three days for your trip to Badlands National Park. That said, even day trips are worthwhile. If you only have a few hours, concentrate on scenic drives with stops at overlooks to gape at the views. 

If you’re lucky enough to have a few days at Badlands National Park, spend your time hiking, viewing wildlife, and exploring the visitor centers. 

Despite looking like another planet, the Badlands are easy to reach. The park is about an hour’s drive from Rapid City