Badlands National Park is such a gem in the state of South Dakota. After going across miles and miles of prairie and grassland, and suddenly, seemingly from nowhere, the Badlands start to rise up from the ground. In striking, colorful mounds of varying shapes and colors, the badlands are a feast for the senses and this national park is full of surprising adventures. To help you make the very most of your adventure there, here are the things to know before visiting Badlands National Park, South Dakota.
The Badlands Hold One of the Largest Concentrations of Fossils in the Entire World
This area holds some insane dinosaur finds. Ancient rhinos, oreodonts, tigers and other fascinating creatures that once roamed the Badlands. The park has the Fossil Exhibit Trail with tactile exhibits, which are perfect for introducing little ones (and, truthfully, adults) to the animals that once called this area home. And there’s a really cool exhibit in the Ben Reifel Visitor Center where paleontologists prepare fossils for displays and you can even talk with them. How cool is that?!
There’s an Abundance of Wildlife Here
There are all kinds of incredible animals to see within Badlands National Park. Spotting bison, big horn sheep and pronghorns is relatively easy within this park. However, there are also elk, deer, mountain lions, snakes, prairie dogs, ferrets, and several species of birds. To see bison or big horn sheep, definitely come out around sunset to get a better chance at spotting them, but they roam free, so there’s always a chance!
Badlands National Park is Enjoyable from Your Car
There are certain parks that you can’t see very well without getting out on foot. But the Badlands is a national park with a spectacular scenic drive through many of the highlights of the park. Badlands Loop Road (or Highway 240) takes between one to two hours to drive, and includes a dozen beautiful overlooks. You’ll have chances to spot wildlife from your car as well as stunning views of the crazy formations within the badlands. If you’re really looking for a chance to see wildlife within the park, though, I highly recommend driving the Sage Creek Rim Road.
But There Are Some Incredible Hiking Trails Here As Well
There are some really cool trails at Badlands National Park that give beautiful vantage points from within the these formations. We’re always huge fans of lacing up our boots and hitting the trails. Our favorite trails in the park (that we’ve done so far) are all in one section: The Door, The Window, and The Notch. There are several short trails and even longer ones for those looking to hit more miles on their hiking adventures.
There’s Also An Open Hike Policy Here
Another thing that is super specific to this park, is that that Badlands has an open hike policy! You’re free to just roam on open land out here. However, be sure that you’re prepared for this with plenty of water, a map and anything else you personally need for hitting the trail. Also, remember that animals that can be dangerous – especially bison and rattlesnakes – are roaming free in these lands.
Summer is the Busiest Season Here at the Badlands
As with most parks, summer is the busiest time to visit Badlands National Park. Schools are out, weather conditions (minus the temps) are typically favorable and the days are nice and long for fun-filled days of exploring.
And It Can Be Brutally Hot!
Temps in the summer can exceed 100 degrees and in the months of July and August, the average is in the 90s. So, it truly gets hot out there. Be sure you’re prepared with plenty of water, a hat to provide shade – which is very limited and always be well aware of your surroundings. We went in the second week of May in 2025 and the temps were already hitting 90+ during the day.
Other Potential Dangers in Badlands National Park
There are a few different animals in the park that can be extremely dangerous to park visitors. It’s important to be mindful of these animals while you explore the park. Try to eep a hundred feet between you and any wildlife. A good rule of thumb to follow is if the wildlife reacts to you, you are too close.
Prairie Rattlesnake: Prairie Rattlesnakes are extremely common in Badlands National Park. There are signs posted all over the trails. It’s so important to keep an eye – and ear – out for these snakes. These snakes are venomous and you should call 911 immediately if you’re bitten by one of these snakes. These are the only venomous snakes in the park.
Buffalo/Bison: These animals are dangerous when approached. There’s the famous phrase, “Don’t pet the fluffy cows”, but in all seriousness, give these massive animals space and don’t give them a reason to charge you.
Mountain Lion: Mountain lion sightings are extremely rare in the national park. They don’t actually call the Badlands “home” and are only seen on occasion when they’re passing through. Still, be sure to keep an eye out for these, especially if you have little ones.
Don’t Miss Sunset (or Sunrise) in the Badlands
The golden hour around sunrise and sunset totally change the way the Badlands look. The colors of these formation are accentuated and seemingly glow around this time of day. Everyone says don’t visit the badlands without seeing the sunset. Sunsets are obviously the more popular of the two times because you don’t have to wake up early. But you’re rewarded for getting up early for sunrise with far-fewer visitors exploring at that time. And then you get to take advantage of the cooler morning temperatures as well.
It Can Be Very Windy
Because of this, I would absolutely be sure that your sunglasses are on your packing list because the wind kicked up a lot of sand that was blown right into our eyes. Be especially mindful of your littles since they’re lower to the ground. I carried CJ a lot more than normal because of this. This was most evident to us on the Notch Trail.
Pets Aren’t Allowed On Trails (or Most Other Places) Within the Park
Like most national parks, pets, including dogs, are not allowed on trails. Even if you’re doing an open hike. Pets can be aggressive or disruptive to wildlife that dwell in the parks, pet owners don’t always pick up waste, which can draw native animals closer to trails making them less safe for visitors. There are designated areas near campgrounds and visitor centers where you can walk and let your dogs out to use the bathroom. But, never leave your dogs locked in the car while you hike, as that can become dangerous. If you’re just driving through the park, definitely bring your pup. But if you’re looking to really delve into the park, I’d think about leaving your fur bestie at home.
There Aren’t a Ton of Eating Options Near the Badlands
The Badlands aren’t super remote, but they’re remote enough that eating out isn’t exceptionally convenient. We learned this when the fridge in our camper went out while camping near the Badlands meaning we then had to make the trek into Wall or Rapid City to eat for the day. There is a restaurant in the lodge here, but its menu is pretty limited.
Gear I Recommend for a Trip to Badlands National Park
Proper Footwear: Okay, I’ve always been a Merrell girl, and this spring I found the best Merrell hiking boots! They’re mid-height so you still get the ankle support, but they’re lightweight. I’m obsessed. If wearing boots, I also cannot recommend these Merrell socks enough. If you’re not looking to wear boots, I love my Teva Hurricane XLT2 sandals as well. I wore both of these shoes hiking in the Badlands this year.
My New Tech Obsession: For Mother’s Day this year, I got a Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Watch and I am obsessed! I’m not one to upgrade for the sake of upgrading, but my apple watch simply became not enough for me as I started to work out more and more. I’ll write a full, non-sponsored post on my love for it soon and when I do, I’ll link it here.
Day Pack: I have a daypack on every hike I go on. I didn’t used to always but now I like to be a little more prepared for every scenario – especially if I’m solo or my kids are with me. The Osprey Daylite is my favorite daypack I’ve ever had.
What’s in My Pack? Water bottles are the first things that go in. I love these wide mouth Nalgene water bottles. They hold a good amount of water and the wide mouth on these make them easy to clean. I love to bring snacks like nuts, beef jerky tender bites and some sort of sweet – typically gummies. I also like to have a small journal or notebook in case I want to take trail notes. I also am sure to have sunglasses with me, a spare sunscreen stick and a jacket if I’m hiking later in the day. Lastly, a super basic first aid kit with neosporin, bandaids, moleskin and a couple alcohol wipes.
My National Park Journal: Obviously, this stays in the car or camper while I’m hiking, but I love bringing the national park journal that I authored on my travels. Filling out this book with my family is one of the coolest things I get to do!
There Are Other Cool Sites Near Badlands National Park
Custer State Park: This is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota and was actually the state’s first state park. Custer State Park is home to a large bison herd, stunning hiking trails and even a museum. It still has really unique rock formations, but it much greener than the nearby Badlands. Custer State Park is just over an hour from Badlands National Park.
Wind Cave National Park: This is the first cave to have become a national park. Wind Cave is known for its really unique boxwork and popcorn formations. In addition to the cave, there are also hikes above the surface. This park is just about an hour and fifteen minutes from Badlands National Park.
Mount Rushmore: Everyone can recognize Mount Rushmore with the massive faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. It’s about an hour and a half from the Badlands.
Devil’s Tower National Monument, Wyoming: This national monument is also a national treasure. I love this amazingly unique formation and the hiking trails surrounding it. Even though it’s technically in another state it’s less than three hours from Badlands National Park. It’s a great day trip from the Badlands.
We have been able to do the majority of the short hikes in the Badlands, and while we can’t wait to go back and enjoy some of the longer trails. But we feel like we learned a lot about all the things you need to know before visiting Badlands National Park. This park is underrated, full of adventure and absolutely worth the visit.
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