“Que Lindo” was how my friends and I described the scenes at the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. “Que Lindo!” We kept on saying it. Many times. In each turn of the curve, in each stop.
The Badlands National Park is one of the main attractions in South Dakota. Via I90, visitors coming from or going to Mouth Rushmore usually stop by to be amazed of its rugged terrains. Born out of volcanoes 30 millions years ago, the Badlands is a natural wonder that can be appreciated most by driving along a zigzag loop that takes you to its base.
The photos we took do not totally capture the real beauty of the “bad lands.” You need to be there to be awed.
Experience having stepped onto the moon or some distant planet.
Also: See all my travel adventures here.
Be in an unknown world.
It extends to the horizon.
Sculptured by the forces of water.
A scenery like no place else.
Step out of your car and walk around.
The mountains are striped.
Those greens on the slopes…
Each turn of the loop will amaze you.
There is always something to see along the 40-mile loop.
Good roads.
There are areas where you are allowed to walk through the rock formations.
Take the fossil exhibit trail. Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse, and saber-toothed cat once roamed here.
The Badlands National Park is well worth seeing!
You need at least two hours to enjoy the 244,000-acre park.
The park’s main visitor center, the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, is open daily all year, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Are you up for camping at the Badlands National Park? There are designated campgrounds available: Cedar Pass Campground and Sage Creek Primitive Campground. Cedar Pass Campground is managed by Cedar Pass Lodge. The primitive Sage Creek Campground is operated on a first come, first serve basis. Both have a fourteen-day limit.
Physical Addresses for GPS.
Park Headquarters: 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD 57750.
Northeast Entrance (I-90, Exit 131): 21020 SD Hwy 240, Interior, SD 57750.
Pinnacles Entrance (I-90, Exit 110): 24240 Hwy 240, Wall, SD 57790.
Interior Entrance: 20640 SD Hwy 377, Interior, SD 57750.
Hours of Operation – Mountain Time Zone.
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Winter Hours)
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (mid-April to mid-May)
8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Summer Hours)
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (early September to late October)
CLOSED on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
Entrance Fees.
Private: Non-Commercial Vehicle; $15 – Valid for 7 days
Individual – hike, bicycle; $7 – Valid for 7 days
Motorcycle; $10 – Valid for 7 days
Badlands National Park Annual Pass; $30 – Valid for one year from month of purchase
Also: See all my travel adventures here.
3 comments