Badlands National Park
Southwestern South Dakota offers some of the most fascinating lands in Badlands National Park. When visiting Yellowstone on your vacation, you have to stop and witness the age-old formations with rich fossil beds dating back to 35 million years ago. A real learning experience for young and old alike.
Stand in awe of the spires, towering pinnacles and eroded buttes when you come to view the 244,000 acres in Badlands National Park. You could even perhaps see the endangered black-footed ferret in the Badlands Wilderness Area. View the sites of Ghost Dances of the Indians that took place in the 1890s here in South Dakota.
Your visit will be around three to five hours, and will include a movie about the park and stopping at four overlooks and taking two walks. There is a scenic Loop Drive (two lanes and paved) that takes you 30 miles around the park.
Make it an adventure and explore the park using one of the five trails. They range from ¼ of a mile to eight miles long. You can trek through uncharted land with a map and compass. It will be a vacation that the whole family will remember with joy.
Other pages you might find helpful:
Black Hills & Badlands National Park
Coming through South Dakota on your way to Yellowstone? Don't miss Badlands National Park and the Black Hills area!
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