Badlands National Park

How to Get to Badlands National Park:

Badlands National Park is located in southwestern South Dakota. From eastbound I-90, take Exit 110 near the community of Wall and go south 7 miles to the Pinnacles entrance of the park. From westbound I-90, take Exit 131 and go south 11 miles to the Northeast entrance to the park. From Hwy 44, travel north to town of Interior, and then take Hwy 377 for 2 miles to the Interior entrance to the park.

Recommended Scenic Routes Near Badlands National Park:

If you are approaching the park from the east along I-90, or from the north, you might want to drive a portion of the Native American Scenic Byway. The 306-mile South Dakota section of the byway runs through the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservations along cultural, historical, and archeological sites. The South Dakota section of the byway begins at the North Dakota state line and runs south along several routes including SR 1806, BIA Route 4, US 212, SR 63, US 14, US 83, SD 47 and SD 50 until it ends in Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Park Size:

242,756 acres

Description:

Carved by erosion, this scenic landscape contains sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, spires, and animal fossils that date back 40 million years. Park includes the largest, protected mixed grass prairie in the United States which supports bison, bighorn sheep, deer, and antelope. The Sage Creek Wilderness is the site of the reintroduction of the black-footed ferret, the most endangered land mammal in North America; and the Stronghold Unit is co-managed with the Oglala Sioux Tribe and includes the sites of 1890's Ghost Dances.

Facilities:

Badlands includes two visitor centers: 1) The Ben Reifel Visitor Center (open year round), located at park headquarters at Cedar Pass, which includes an information desk, park orientation movie, exhibits, park offices, restrooms, water, and public telephone. 2) White River Visitor Center (open June-August), located on the Pine Ridge Reservation on Highway 27, which includes an information desk, park orientation movie, exhibits, restrooms, and water. The Cedar Pass Lodge, located next to the Ben Reifel Visitors Center, offers food service from April 1 and air conditioned cabins from April 15 until the season ends in mid-October. For reservations, call 605-433-5460. Park's campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Things to Do at Badlands National Park:

Visitors can enjoy park trails such as Cliff Shelf Nature Trail, Fossil Exhibit Trail, or the more aggressive Notch Trail. Limitless backcountry options are available by hiking or backpacking. Ranger-led programs are offered throughout the day during the summer months. Check at the visitor center or look in the park newspaper for more information. Visit the "Big Pig Dig," a paleontological dig active each summer just across the road from the Conata Picnic Area. From the Badlands Loop Road take the drive on the unpaved Sage Creek Rim road to see bison, prairie dogs, and the 64,000 acre wilderness area. Explore Sheep Mountain Table in the Stronghold Unit south of Scenic, SD.

Operating Hours:

Daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; rest of the year, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed January 1, Thanksgiving Day, December 25.

History:

Authorized as Badlands National Monument on March 4, 1929; redesignated on November 10, 1978.

Contact the Park:

Badlands National Park
25216 Ben Reifel Road
P.O. Box 6
Interior, SD 57750
605-433-5361