Badlands National Park Things to Do

This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features a replica bronze alligator fossil and information about how alligators moved to survive a changing climate.

Saddle Pass is one of several short accessible hikes near by the Ben Reifel Visitor Center of Badlands National Park.

This overlook provides an expansive view of the mixed-grass prairie environment and the sage creek wilderness area.

The wilderness area has a primitive campground and no official trails. Any trip to the area needs to be planned ahead of time.

Sheep Mountain Table is one of the overlooks of Badlands National Park. It provides views of the park's South Unit and the Black Hills. The road to the overlook is not maintained in the winter, and beyond the overlook the road deteriorates and requires high clearance/4WD vehicles.

Stronghold Table is one of five large tables located in the South Unit of the park.

The Pig Dig is a site of a recent paleontological survey that yielded many significant fossil finds, including: Archaeotherium, Subhyracodon, Mesohippus, Leptomeryx.

The Saber Site is the location of a significant find: a rare nimravid skull, and it was found by a 7-year-old child.

Toadstool Rock is one of the more visible examples of Badlands unique erosion processes.

This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features a replica bronze Ammonite fossil and information about how Ammonites died in response to a changing climate.

This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features a replica bronze Dog fossil and information about how dogs evolved to survive a changing climate.

This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features a replica bronze Mesohippus fossil and information about Mesohippus evolved to adapt to changing climates.

This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features a replica bronze nimravid fossil and information about how nimravid died in the face of a changing climate.

This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features a replica bronze oreodont fossil and information about how the fossilization process occurs.

This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features an annotated photograph of a badlands landscape with several layered elaborated on.

This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features a replica bronze Titanothere fossil and information about how Titanotheres died in response to a changing climate.

This view shows the upper portion of the White River Group.

This short trail leads to a natural window in the Badlands Wall with a view of an intricately eroded canyon.

One of the more colorful features of the park. This overlook has a parking lot and provides views of some of the oldest layers in the park.

One of multiple overlooks throughout the park that provide an opportunity to take in the expansive wilderness area of the park.

Badlands National Park has an Open Hike Policy, meaning that you are allowed to hike off-trail. As a visitor to the Badlands, you are free to explore social trails like Deer Haven, the Sage Creek Wilderness Area, or any other part of the park you can visit safely. Deer Haven is either a short round-trip (6 mile) hike or a more extensive 23 mile loop. The trail is not marked, so navigation will rely on map/compass or GPS routing.

On the Castle Trail portion of the Medicine Root loop, the trail is almost entirely within the upper part of the Brule Formation (Poleslide Member; Oligocene Epoch, 32.0-30.0 million years ago).

The Badlands Wall is a feature that extends a wide swath of the park.

The amphitheater is used during periods of high visitation for evening programs, night sky viewing, and other special events.

One of multiple overlooks in the park that provide expansive views of the Badlands. This overlook has a wayside exhibit sharing the history of paleo-Indians in the region.

The Badlands bison corrals are off-limits to the public but can be seen along the road.

This location provides an expansive view of the historic gunnery range.

Badlands Tunnels is an area that used to have passageways through the badlands formations rather than the present-day passage around them.

Big Badlands Overlook provides the opportunity to view the eastern portion of the Badlands wall.

This overlook provides an opportunity to see stunning badlands vistas as well as a historically significant route.

One of multiple overlooks throughout the park that provides accessible experiences for all visitors to enjoy the park. This one features a boardwalk and a bench overlooking a vast badlands landscape.

Moderate. The longest trail in the park begins at the Door and Window parking area and travels five miles one way to the Fossil Exhibit Trail. Relatively level, the path passes along some badlands formations. 10 miles/16 km (round trip)

Cedar Butte is a feature located in the South Unit of the park and is accessible by foot through a barbed wire fence.

Cedar Pass Lodge is the only concessionaire operated facility in the park. Food, bathrooms, and water are available.

Cliff Shelf Nature Trail is one of several short, accessible hikes near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center of Badlands National Park.

One of multiple overlooks throughout the park that provides accessible experiences and interpretive exhibits. This overlook has a boardwalk with a bench, and a wayside exhibit discussing climate change and how it affects the landscape.

One of several picnic areas available for use in the park along the scenic loop road.

One of the park's most popular trails providing an accessible view of badlands buttes and formations.

This is slightly off the road but provides an opportunity to see how erosion has affected old geologic survey markers.

Fossil Exhibit Trail is one of several features in the park that provide accessible enjoyment of the park's resources.

This overlook provides the opportunity to see Badlands formations and the grassy ecosystems that cling to them.

This overlooks provides a combination of scenic viewpoints and exhibits discussing the homesteading history of the area.

One of three entrances for Badlands National Park.

Norbeck Pass is a geologically and ecologically significant transition between upper and lower prairie environments.

One of three entrances for Badlands National Park.

A memorable ladder along Notch Trail.

This is the park's most popular trail. It features badlands buttes, views, and a wooden ladder!

Palmer Creek is one of two districts in the South Unit of the park. Contact park staff prior to attempting access.

Panorama Point offers a wide view of the Badlands landscape, downward towards the White River Valley. The view is similar to what is seen in the Big Foot Pass area.

One of three entrance stations to Badlands National Park.

One of the most popular overlooks in the park, it provides an opportunity to see unparalleled views of the park's unique geology and dramatic sunsets.

This overlook provides an opportunity to experience the vast prairie landscape.

Quinn Road prairie dog town is one of several prairie dog towns in Badlands National Park.

Red Shirt Table overlook is one of several significant geologic and scenic features in the South Unit of the park.

One of the largest prairie dog towns in the park, accessible via a main road.

Night Sky Viewings are a great way to see the dark skies of the Badlands. Park rangers and astronomy volunteers are available to point out objects in the night sky and help you look through telescopes.

Celebrate the spectacular sights and science of night skies at Badlands National Park's annual Astronomy Festival. Join astronomers, rangers, and visitors for activities, discussions, and programs about the night sky.

Many different programs are led by rangers at Badlands National Park. Learn more about wildlife, geology, paleontology, and more by stopping at a ranger program during your visit! Visit this page to find program descriptions, locations, and typical times.

Become a Junior Ranger at Badlands National Park! By completing a fun activity book, you can earn a Junior Ranger badge and pledge to explore, learn about, and protect the parks.

Set up camp at one of Badlands National Park's two official campgrounds. Whether you're seeing views of the Sage Creek Wilderness Area or Cedar Pass, you're sure to enjoy an overnight stay in the park.

Backcountry camping in the Badlands can be an exciting adventure for prepared and experienced hikers. Read more about rules, safety, and recommendations for backcountry campers here.

Pick your park adventure in the Badlands by deciding where to go next at the end of every chapter. Once your adventure is over, you can submit this activity to earn a Junior Ranger patch!

There's something for everyone at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center in the North Unit of Badlands National Park. Swing by the information desk, watch the park film, check out a working fossil preparation lab, enjoy museum exhibits, or stop by the park bookstore.

The White River Visitor Center is the main facility in the South Unit of the park. Be sure to stop by to pick up maps, enjoy museum exhibits, and chat with rangers about the significance of the Badlands and treaties in Lakota heritage.

Visit the Fossil Preparation Lab in Badlands National Park, where visitors have the opportunity to engage with paleontologists and other park staff working on Badlands fossils!

Many animals call Badlands National Park home. Learn more about these critters and where you can find them on this page.

Back country roads are a great place to escape the everyday with your pet.

Enjoy stunning views of Badlands National Park's South Unit by driving around its perimeter.

Enjoy views of the Badlands from the saddle! Although no commercial horse rental or day rides are available in the park, Badlands invites horse owners to explore the Badlands Wilderness Area, consisting of 64,000 acres of eroded spires and mixed-grass prairie, or other designated areas of the park via horseback.

Interested in hiking at Badlands National Park? Read about rules, official trails, and the park's open hike policy here.

Sheep Mountain Table is a great place to enjoy stunning views of the Badlands landscape. Whether you’re a hiker looking for a beautiful trail, a photographer scoping out a sunset spot, or simply a visitor seeking to explore the South Unit, Sheep Mountain Table offers incredible vist

Enjoy views of badlands formations and glimpses of wildlife from Sage Creek Rim Road, one of the dirt roads located in the North Unit of Badlands National Park.

Enjoy the sights of Badlands National Park by driving its most popular road -- Badlands Loop Road, also known as Highway 240. Catch beautiful landscapes, informational exhibits, and glimpses of wildlife on this incredible drive.

Enjoy beautiful views of the Badlands without a windshield! Biking in the park offers a chance to experience scenery firsthand -- from the back of a bike, it almost feels like you can reach out and touch the rugged buttes and twisted spires. Read here to learn more about rules, safety, and suggested routes.

Have you ever played a game of Madlibs? Now you can try out a Badlands version! Pick out your favorite words, then fill them in to create your own wacky Badlands story. After that, share your BADLibs with us on social media -- and don't forget to have fun!

Enjoy incredible views of the Badlands by waking up early or staying out late. Sunrises and sunsets are photographer favorites for a good reason -- check out this page to learn all the best spots!