20 Fun Things To Do In Badlands National Park

1. Enjoy A Drive On Loop Road

Among the things that you should do in Badlands National Park, is driving along Loop Road. This 31-mile stretch provides magnificent views of the park’s unique geological formations such as towering spires, vast, open dry lands, and deep gorges.

As you drive along the meandering road, keep your eyes open for animals like bison and prairie dogs, while pausing at some viewpoints to catch a glimpse of the beautiful scenery surrounding them. The most beautiful time to go for this drive is early in the morning or late in the evening which makes it possible for one to see diverse colors and textures within the park.

2. Experience The Thrill Of Wildlife Viewing In The Badlands

One of the things that you have to do is experience the thrill of wildlife viewing in Badlands National Park; this allows you to fully immerse yourself in the rough beauty and complex ecosystem of the park. Look out for bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, as well as the elusive black-footed ferret when traversing expansive prairies, grotesque rock formations, and secret valleys.

These animals can be sighted grazing, moving about, or resting against the Badlands’ striking scenery, especially during early mornings and late afternoons. To be able to see them as they are at home or in their habitat is more than exhilarating; it is an honor like no other.

3. Wander Through The Fossil Exhibit Trail

In Badlands National Park, this fascinating fossil exhibit trail gives one a glimpse into the park’s rich paleontological history. Walking on this easy-to-access 0.25-mile loop trail, fossil replicas show what used to be Indigenous to these areas many years ago.

While walking along the boardwalk, you will see detailed exhibits explaining the importance of fossils and how they relate to the prehistoric environment in badlands. The trail is an educational experience suitable for all ages; thus anyone interested in knowing about natural history in this part of North America should visit it.

4. Admire The Mesmerizing Badlands Sunrises & Sunsets

One cannot forget the mesmerizing view of Badlands National Park sunset and sunrises. The moment is simply breathtaking as the whole park turns into an incredible range of colors, from light orange to dark purples because of this warm glow that is reflected on those eroded lands surfaces.

These times point out abrupt changes in terrain and thus they offer the best opportunity for capturing photos or meditating quietly. There are various places where you can stand and see these beautiful sights like Big Badlands Overlook or Pinnacles Overlook during sunrises and sunsets.

5. Learn At The Ben Reifel Visitor Center

Ben Reifel Visitor Center is an exemplary place to visit in Badlands National Park as it offers comprehensive insulation about its mesmerizing landforms and divine happenings. Informative displays are there on subjects like the uniqueness of the geology of this park, its fossils emergence, and also the cultural ancestry among Lakota natives.

This center has a 20-minute film show where you can see all about wildlife and natural endowments found within this area. If one is planning a visit, they do not have to worry since knowledgeable rangers are available at this center who will give Badlands National Park map, tell about hiking trails, and suggest areas that you could explore when at the same park.

6. Check Out Roberts Prairie Dog Town

Roberts Prairie Dog Town will always be the must-see during your trip to Badlands National Park because this place allows you to observe prairie dogs in their natural habitat are lively and social. The extensive nest of small burrowing animals is where hundreds of these reside.

The place is to easy access and it is a great chance for watching animals as there are usually other living things like bison and hawks that keep prairie dogs company. This makes it an ideal stop for families and nature lovers who want to have a close encounter with the variety offered by the park’s fauna.

7. Take In The Views From Big Badlands Overlook

You must take in views from Big Badlands Overlook in Badlands National Park. The overlook provides an amazing view of the parks unkempt surface, which highlights some extraordinary sites such as distinct geological formations, layered rocks, and bright colors that define Badlands.

As daylight breaks or starts to fade away, this place undergoes an incredible metamorphosis that includes drastic changes in shadows and coloration harmonizing perfectly with the surrounding landscape.

Photography lovers will find here a nice environment for taking pictures, others can use this place for introspection or just gazing at one of nature's most beautiful pieces of work.

8. Experience The Nighttime Stargazing

You can take in the breathtaking beauty of stargazing at nighttime when there is good weather in Badlands National Park; this is a place where you can marvel at the galaxy with its vast, clear unhindered sky. Once the setting sun has cast its warm rays onto these slashes, the rough terrain becomes transformed into a quiet, alien otherworld.

Due to its remote location and reduced light pollution levels, it is one of Americas top locations for seeing the Milky Way in all its wonderful beauty. You will be able to view numerous stars, planets, and even meteor showers during a clear night.

Additionally, each year rangers hosted night sky programs which allowed people to learn more about different constellations as well as why they are important across societies.

9. Adventure On Saddle Pass Trail

Located in Badlands National Park, Saddle Pass Trail is a short yet demanding hike that provides an exhilarating experience for adventurous visitors. The route rises steeply for about one-fourth mile, taking trekkers up a rocky incline to a viewpoint worth climbing because it provides a breathtaking 360 degree.

The steep gradient and loose rocks along the path make it somewhat challenging but picturesque landscapes at the summit are well worth the exertion. For those seeking to explore the parks picturesque surroundings, this is the best place.

10. Discover The Badlands Through Badlands Ranger Programs

One of the most enthralling methods of immersing oneself in the park is by traversing through Badlands Ranger Programs. These programs are led by well-informed rangers who combine an informative and adventurous aspect to take visitors through diverse ecosystems, rich geology, as well as cultural history that make up the park.

Here, you can participate in various activities like guided hikes, evening campfire talks, or fossil lab demonstrations and gain a better understanding of Badlands’s natural wonders and its prehistoric past. Such programs would interest kids and adults making your visitation an exceptional life experience.

11. Witness The Badlands Vibrant Wildlife

The majesty of natures diversity is on display in Badlands National Park, where visitors can see the colorful fauna and mammals in a way that cannot be matched anywhere else. There are many opportunities to observe animals within their natural setting as you venture through the rugged terrain.

Bison, which are big and heavy, walk around freely in the park's large pastures; meanwhile, pronghorns nimbly hurry across the area. In addition, this park is home to elusive predators like coyotes and bobcats, besides having a wide variety of birds like golden eagles or prairie falcons.

12. Experience The Scenic Hikes Of Badlands National Park

To immerse yourself in its remote grandeur, do not miss out on experiencing the scenic Badlands National Park hikes. From easy walks to challenging treks, its networks provide an assortment of choices for anyone willing to explore the places dramatic landscapes.

Among popular hikes is a narrow ledge providing splendid views of Notch Trail's steep Medicine Root Trail going across rock formations and beautiful prairies in the park. Fossil Exhibit Trail is another easy route that is shorter but informative about the prehistoric era while showcasing wide angles of vision.

Thus, in every hike, there is a wide range of geological formations or fauna helping with an appreciation of the wonderful features found at this location.

13. Embark On The Cliff Shelf Nature Trail

The Cliff Shelf Nature Trail in Badlands National Park offers a fascinating exploration of the park’s peculiar geological formations and abundant ecosystems. This 1.5-mile circular path provides amazing views of tall hills and beautiful stone structures that characterize the Badlands topography.

While trekking on this track, you will move through different types of landscapes starting from rough cliff sides leading down to relatively sheltered green areas with diverse plants. The route is fairly easy hence it can be accessed by most tourists but has interpretative boards giving information about the region’s geology, botany as well as zoology.

14. Ride Through The Badlands On Horseback

Horseback riding through the beautiful and barren Badlands is a good way to absorb their grandeur intimately. By traveling across this rough land where endless prairies meet assorted rock layers and calm wide open lands you will discover a lot about it.

In addition, safely taking a ride either as an expert or a novice among people always makes them see nature differently than it should be. This means that those who use it are going to witness not only the geological marvels existing in this area but also notice how diverse the wildlife here is together with its historical events among others.

15. Tour The South Unit Of The Badlands

Roaming around Badlands National Park’s South Unit unveils an intriguing journey through some of its most captivating landscapes. This region encompasses diverse geological formations such as rugged buttes, pinnacles, and steep valleys after erosive activities lasting millions of years.

Amongst other attractions is Big Badlands Overlook, an iconic destination that offers spectacular panoramic views while driving along the Scenic loop road through the heartland of Southern Unit presenting us with several chances to take photographs and sight wildlife like ungulates along lakeshores in various seasons.

On the other hand, hiking on the Fossil Exhibit Trail would show replicas portraying prehistoric creatures plus ancient history surrounding the park itself. Furthermore, it is advisable to start your visit at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center where you will get information on the natural history of the location.

16. Attend The Ranger-Led Night Sky Program

Badlands National Park has one of the best Night Sky Programs in the world led by a ranger. The program allows visitors to observe a sky full of stars, planets, and constellations without light pollution from cities.

The program is held at the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater where it educates about astronomy, nocturnal wildlife, and the need for keeping dark places. Whether you love star gazing or are just curious about what is up there at night time, this program offers an opportunity to learn more about how beautiful the Badlands can be during night hours.

17. Travel The Length Of Sage Creek Rim Road

Sage Creek Rim Road is a charming drive with breathtaking views that takes you to some of the remoter parts of the park. It passes through the western side of the park where you can see beautiful badland formations, and large grasslands and might get a chance to meet the ungulate animals such as wild sheep, bison, and prairie dogs.

A scenic drive can present some of its best secrets at this point which you may only discover if you slow down enough along some overlooks and pull-offs scattered across this beautiful landscape that will leave your heart racing long after you have taken pictures. Hence, this is the best Badlands National Park entrance for a lot of happiness.

18. Set Up Camp At Badlands Campgrounds

Setting up camping in Badlands National Park is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the striking scenery of this park. Campgrounds like Cedar Pass and Sage Creek provide unique possibilities for engaging with its wild beauty.

Cedar Pass Campground features such facilities as restrooms and picnic tables with breathtaking views of Badlands formations. If you are looking for a more primitive experience, then Sage Creek Campground might just be what you need being quieter and with a better degree of solitude where one can even see bison roaming nearby.

19. See Prairie Wind Overlook

Badlands National Park’s Prairie Wind Overlook reveals the breathtaking panorama of its harsh terrain. From up here, you can see the extensive open lands as well as the complex arrangements of disintegrated stones that characterize the area referred to as badlands.

During sunrise or sunset, this place happens to be an ideal location where one can see how light and shade dramatically act against each other. This place is further recommended when people want to sit down and think about what they have seen somewhere else or admire some other things meant for mankind on earth including those found inside a national park.

20. Immerse Yourself In Sage Creek Wilderness Area

The visitors to Sage Creek Wilderness Area in Badlands National Park can enjoy a genuine wilderness experience. Instead of developed areas, such inaccessible and wild space serves perfectly for backcountry hiking and viewing wildlife as well as experiencing even more dramatic landscapes of the park.

Some common animals that can be seen in this region include bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs while large sections of undulating ground give a feeling of isolation plus oneness with nature. Therefore, you can easily find this wilderness area on the Badlands trail map.