Remote, rugged and imposing, the Badlands of southwestern South Dakota offer a variety of activities ranging from hiking, biking and camping to astronomy, geology and paleontology instruction, most of it within the Badlands National Park.
Fundamentals
Badlands National Park includes 244,000 acres of strikingly eroded pinnacles, buttes and other formations amid large areas of mixed-grass prairie south of Rapid City, South Dakota. The wind-scoured area has exposed one of the world's largest fossil beds with remains of ancient rhinoceros, horse and saber-toothed cats, according to the National Park Service Badlands website.
Hiking
Badlands National Park offers a variety of hiking trails ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous.
Easy trails include the Door Trail boardwalk and Window Trail that lead to expansive views after a short walk The accessible Fossil Exhibit Trail features fossil replicas and exhibits of extinct creatures along its easy quarter-mile round-trip route.
The moderate half-mile Cliff Shelf trail follows boardwalks and climbs stairs along the Badlands Wall formation in an area frequented by deer and bighorn sheep, according to the park service website. The 5-mile Castle Trail is the longest in the park but relatively level. The Medicine Root Loop travels into the grassy prairie area.
The moderate-to-strenuous 1.5-mile round-trip Notch Trail meanders through a canyon and climbs a log ladder to an area known as The Notch with views of the White River Valley. The quarter-mile Saddle Pass trail includes a steep climb up the Badlands Wall.
Many of the trails interconnect for extended hiking.
Camping
Badlands National Park includes two campgrounds. The Cedar Pass Campground near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center operates on a first-come, first-served basis for its 96 campsites. Facilities include cold running water, flush toilets, covered picnic tables, trash containers and campground hosts. The per-night fee in 2010 was $14 with a 14-day limit for extended stays.
The Sage Creek Primitive Campground remains open year-round but access might be limited by adverse road or weather conditions in winter and spring, according to the park service website. This free site offers picnic tables and pit toilets, but no running water.
Backcountry campers do not need to pay a fee but are encouraged to check in with rangers before heading out. Registers for overnight hikers can be found at the trailheads in the park.
Ranger Programs
Park rangers offer a variety of programs including 45-minute morning geology walks, evening prairie walks, 20-minute fossil talks, evening programs about a variety of subjects and a junior ranger program of walks, games and other activities for visitors ages 7 through 12, according to the park service website.
Rangers also host night sky programs Fridays through Mondays, starting at dark, at the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater.
Other Activities
Tour companies and some inns and guest ranches offer riding tours of the Badlands National Park and surrounding area--on bicycle or horseback. Bike tours include fully supported inn-to-inn treks and catered camping outings, according to the Dakota Bike Tours website.
Tipi Village, located across from the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, provides an introduction to the culture and history of the Ogalala Lakota Sioux, many of whom live on the Pine Ridge Reservation adjacent to the Badlands National Park.
Considerations
The Badlands' variable weather should be a prominent consideration for activity planning in the area. The climate includes temperatures that range from minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to 116 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, according to the park service website.
High winds and rapid changes in weather include sudden violent thunderstorms during the summer and occasional blizzard conditions in winter. Your best defense against changing weather is to dress in layers, making sure to include hats, eye protection and sunscreen, according to the Black Hills and Badlands Vacation Guide website.
Dogs within Badlands National Park must be kept on leashes no more than 6 feet in length. Permits costing $15 per vehicle in 2010 remain valid for seven days. The posted speed limit on park roads is 45 mph. Visitors must remain at least 100 yards away from any wildlife.
Member Comments