Badlands National Park

Cruising west to east, or east to west, along Interstate-90 in South Dakota, the freeway skirts some exotic-looking terrain in the vicinity of Wall. That terrain is known as the Badlands. Badlands National Park encompasses the lion’s share of this place, with the Pine Ridge Indian Agency occupying the remainder.

“Wow,” is the word that comes to mind when trying to describe this place. The craggy peaks, vivid colors and other natural wonders of the park are simply incredible.   It is like venturing into another world, even. And it is not a barren world, either.  Black footed ferrets, bighorn sheep, bison, prairie dogs, swift foxes and other wildlife call the park home. However, most are camera-shy. Only the prairie dogs are readily available photogenic subjects. However, the National Park Service strictly forbids venturing into their “village” of burrows.   Give the prairie dogs some respect! Also: Beware of prairie rattlesnakes. They are venomous. The park has ample signage warning about them. Stay on marked trails at all times, folks!   

There are a number of hiking trails in the park. They range from the Cliff Shelf Trail, (the smallest at .5 miles/.8 kilometers) to the Medicine Root Loop (the longest at 4 miles/6.4 kilometers); there are a number of trails in between these two, all of them relatively short hikes.   There is also a long, meandering loop road through the park for those who prefer auto sight-seeing.  It can be accessed via the four entrances to the park at the towns of Wall, Scenic and Interior; there is also an entrance off 1-90 between Kadoka and Wall. If you prefer a more rustic method of transportation, horseback riding is allowed in the park.

The Cedar Pass Lodge is the one place you can stay in the park at.  It also has a good restaurant and excellent gift shop. There is also the Cedar Pass Campground nearby. The park also has two visitor centers, the Ben Reifel and the White River. The Ben Reifel Visitor’s Center is located next to the Cedar Pass Lodge. This is the headquarters of Badlands National Park as well.

The White River Visitor’s Center is located off of Highway 27 southwest of the main area of the park.  As it is on Pine Ridge reservation land, it is operated by the Oglala Sioux Parks and Recreation Authority and is staffed by members of the tribe.  The Oglala are also represented at the main unit of the park by a tipi campsite set up across from the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.  

The park offers a number of tours, educational programs and a film entitled Land of Stone and Light, which is shown at the Reifel Visitor Center. All in all, Badlands National Park is a place that can’t be missed when visiting South Dakota. I’m glad I finally went when I was last out there.

Photo by Richard H.