Bad Lands National Park

08/29/2021

The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires. The Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) winds past scenic lookouts. Several trails begin near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. The Fossil Exhibit Trail is a boardwalk with displays on fossils uncovered in the park

We headed to the Bad Lands National Park Sunday 8/29/2021. Took I90 East to Wall SD and then headed South on 240. About 10 miles South on the East side were a bunch of RV’s parked up on a ridge but we could not see what was on the other side so we headed up there. There was a gravel road runing along the ridge and on the East side it was the Bad Lands and on the West side, grass land. The area is for boondocking (no water, no electric, no sewer – off grid but free) and there were a bunch of campers there. Below are some photos of the area and here is a YouTube video with more information.

We then continued on South to the entrance (Vets get in free otherwise it would have been $30). At the entrance buffalo were crossing the road and we got a few photos. We went through the gate and continued on for a couple of hours. There were 12 pull-offs, a visitors center, and a fossil walk-way. It is interesting how the formations changed shape and color as we drove through the 240 loop. Here are some photos we took of the Bad Lands.