South Dakota's Badlands National Park: Nature Lovers' Paradise

For an unforgettable adventure into the geologic past, surrounded by pristine vistas and amazing rock formations, Badlands National Park proves a worthy park destination. French fur traders traveling through South Dakota's peerless buttes, spires and pinnacles referred to the area as les mauvaises terres a traverses, meaning "bad lands to travel across." Today's visitors will appreciate the awesome rock formations and the numerous recreational and educational opportunities, just 105 miles from Mount Rushmore.

Badlands National Park was established as a National Monument in 1939, but re-designated as a National Park in 1978. With 35-million-year-old fossil beds and 11,000 years of human connections, the Badlands are rich in history. The Park is equally rich in wildlife, with many kinds of prairie plants and animals. The first stop inside the park should be at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center at the Cedar Pass park headquarters. Here visitors can get park information, watch an orientation movie, view exhibits and purchase postcards and books from the Badlands National History Association.

Recreational opportunities abound at the Badlands.

• Backpacking: Backpackers may camp in any spot at least ? mile from any roads or trails. Some backpackers like the secluded Castle Trail, while many plan their own cross-country route.
• Biking: Bicycling is allowed on paved, gravel and dirt roads and provides an active way to see much of the park.
• Birdwatching: Over 215 species of birds have been documented in the park, including pelicans, cormorants, herons, waterfowl, hawks and eagles.
• Camping: The park's two campgrounds are Cedar Pass Campground and Sage Creek Campground.
• Hiking: Many trails crisscross the park, including the 10-mile Castle Rock Trail for wildlife and badlands views; Cliff Shelf Trail, a half-mile loop with a climb to an overlook of the White River Valley; Door Trail, a 3/4-mile trail with geologic information along the route; and Fossil Exhibit Trail, a quarter-mile fully accessible loop.
• Horseback Riding: The Badlands Wilderness Area has 64,000 acres of prime horseback riding terrain; riders often see bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn and coyotes.
• Stargazing: At night, clear, open skies and pitch blackness give unparalleled views of constellations and celestial events such as meteor showers.

In addition to all the recreational activities in the Badlands, visitors may enjoy a picnic at several designated areas, as well as interpretive programs like the 35-minute geology walk, 20-minute fossil talk and the Junior Ranger Program for kids 7-12.

Frank Lloyd Wright said, "I was totally unprepared for that revelation called the Dakota Badlands." With so many activities among beautiful scenery, be prepared to have a revelation of your own at Badlands National Park!