[FULL GUIDE] 100 Amazing Things to Do at Badlands National Park

Key Takeaways:

1. Badlands National Park offers a variety of outdoor activities from hiking to stargazing, perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
2. The park’s unique geological formations and rich history provide an unforgettable backdrop for visitors of all ages.
3. Whether you’re exploring dramatic canyons or attending a local festival, Badlands National Park guarantees an exciting experience for all.

Badlands National Park, located in southwestern South Dakota, is known for its dramatic landscape of layered rock formations, sharp peaks, and deep gorges. Established in 1978, it offers a stunning blend of geological history and wildlife viewing opportunities. The park is a haven for those interested in natural beauty and outdoor adventure, attracting photographers, hikers, and history enthusiasts from all over the world. Visitors come for the unique Badlands formations, the rich fossil beds, and the vibrant wildlife, including bison, prairie dogs, and bighorn sheep. Its vast, open spaces and striking scenery have made Badlands National Park a must-see destination for nature lovers.

100 Things to Do at Badlands National Park

#1 Badlands Loop Road: Drive the scenic loop for breathtaking views of the park’s iconic rock formations and wildlife.

#2 Notch Trail: Hike this short but rewarding trail that leads to a spectacular view of the surrounding canyons.

#3 Pinnacles Overlook: Stop at this viewpoint for an incredible view of the park’s distinctive pinnacles and spires.

#4 Fossil Exhibit Trail: Walk this easy trail to explore exhibits about the fossils discovered in the park and surrounding areas.

#5 Sunset at Pinnacles Overlook: Watch the stunning colors of the Badlands shift at sunset from this beautiful vantage point.

#6 The Saddle Pass Trail: Hike this short, steep trail for panoramic views of the park and the surrounding grasslands.

#7 Fossil Hunting: Explore the park’s numerous fossil beds, where you can spot ancient remains of creatures that lived millions of years ago.

#8 Camping at Cedar Pass Campground: Set up camp in the park’s campground, conveniently located near popular trails and overlooks.

#9 Window Trail: Take a short hike to see a unique rock formation that frames the view of the landscape below.

#10 Bison Watching: Spot the park’s iconic bison herds grazing in the wide-open grasslands.

#11 Night Sky Viewing: Due to its remote location, Badlands offers incredible stargazing opportunities, perfect for a night under the stars.

#12 Teepee Trail: A relatively easy hike that leads you through scenic badland formations, ideal for photographers.

#13 The Castle Trail: Take a longer hike along this trail to see the park’s unique geological formations, including buttes and spires.

#14 White River Valley Overlook: Stop at this overlook for sweeping views of the White River Valley, a great spot for photography.

#15 Prairie Dog Town: Visit the park’s prairie dog town to see these playful creatures in their natural habitat.

#16 Badlands Ranch: Learn about the history of ranching in the area at this historic site within the park.

#17 Bighorn Sheep Viewing: Keep an eye out for the park’s bighorn sheep, often spotted on the rocky cliffs.

#18 Blue Bell Lodge: Stay in the comfort of the Blue Bell Lodge, located near the park’s southern entrance, offering a unique lodging experience.

#19 The Door Trail: Hike this easy trail that leads to a striking rock formation known as “The Door,” offering beautiful views.

#20 Climbing the Pinnacles: For experienced climbers, the pinnacles of the Badlands offer challenging routes with stunning views.

#21 Hiking the Castle Trail: This 5-mile trail takes you through the park’s impressive geological features, offering expansive views.

#22 Explore the Grasslands: Take a walk or bike ride through the park’s vast grasslands and enjoy the tranquility of the open space.

#23 Badlands Overlook: A great stop for panoramic views of the park, ideal for snapping photos and appreciating the landscape.

#24 Fossil Preparation Lab: Watch paleontologists work on fossils at the park’s lab, where much of the park’s fossil collection is prepared.

#25 Scenic Photography: The park offers plenty of opportunities to capture unique geological formations and stunning views.

#26 Lodgepole Pine Scenic Drive: Explore the scenic drive through the park, offering a more tranquil view of the park’s features.

#27 Early Morning Hiking: Beat the heat and crowds by hitting the trails early in the morning to catch the park in the soft light of dawn.

#28 Hike the Cliff Shelf Trail: This short but scenic trail leads through the park’s steep cliffs, offering incredible views of the surrounding landscape.

#29 Take a Guided Tour: Join a ranger-led tour to learn about the park’s geology, wildlife, and history.

#30 Spotting Wildlife: The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, and wild turkeys, so be sure to bring your binoculars.

#31 The Notch Trail Ladder: For a bit of adventure, climb the ladder on the Notch Trail to reach a stunning viewpoint.

#32 The Hell’s Half Acre: Visit this unique geological feature where steep cliffs and badlands formations meet, offering incredible views.

#33 Historical Park Sites: Explore historical sites within the park that highlight the area’s cultural and geological history.

#34 Stop at Scenic Overlooks: There are many overlooks throughout the park offering stunning views of the landscape, ideal for quick stops.

#35 Camping under the Stars: Enjoy a night of camping at Cedar Pass Campground with minimal light pollution for stargazing.

#36 Badlands Wilderness: Hike or camp in the park’s remote wilderness areas for a true outdoor experience.

#37 Hiking at Dawn: Experience the park’s beauty in the quiet early hours, when the light is soft and wildlife is active.

#38 Geology Tours: Learn about the unique geological formations of the Badlands with a guided geology tour.

#39 Take a Picnic: Pack a picnic and enjoy it at one of the park’s scenic picnic areas, surrounded by natural beauty.

#40 Lookout Trail: A short, easy trail that offers great views of the park’s diverse rock formations and wildlife.

#41 Badlands National Park Visitor Center: Stop by the visitor center to pick up maps, learn about the park, and shop for souvenirs.

#42 The Scenic Byway: Take a leisurely drive along the park’s scenic byway for amazing views and easy access to overlooks.

#43 The Pinnacle Point Trail: Take a short hike to a point offering spectacular views of the park’s unique rock formations.

#44 The Yellow Mounds Overlook: Visit this stunning overlook for a panoramic view of the park’s colorful yellow mounds and badlands terrain.

#45 Take a Sunset Photography Tour: Capture the park’s beauty as the sun sets and the colors of the landscape change dramatically.

#46 Hiking the Fossil Trail: Explore the park’s fossil-rich area along a short, educational trail that explains the fossil discovery process.

#47 Biking on the Loop Road: Rent a bike and cycle through the park’s scenic loop road for a different view of the landscape.

#48 Badlands Dinosaur Exhibit: Learn about the ancient creatures that once roamed the land with exhibits at the park’s visitor center.

#49 The White River Valley Overlook: Stop here for a stunning view of the White River Valley, perfect for photography or a peaceful moment.

#50 Explore the Medicine Root Loop: Take a short hike through the park’s scenic landscape and learn about its cultural significance.

#51 Hiking at the Pinnacles: Tackle this moderate trail to get a closer view of the park’s famous Pinnacles rock formations.

#52 Sunset at the Door Trail: Catch the magical colors of the sunset as it illuminates the unique rock formations at the Door Trail.

#53 The Strenuous Cliff Shelf Trail: A challenging but rewarding trail offering stunning cliff-side views and a close-up look at Badlands geology.

#54 Wildflower Viewing: Visit the park in spring and summer to see beautiful wildflowers blooming amidst the rugged terrain.

#55 Night Photography at Cedar Pass: Capture the beauty of the park under the stars, with the unique rock formations illuminated by your camera’s flash.

#56 Visit the Historic Homestead Overlook: Explore the site of an early settler’s homestead, offering a glimpse into life in the early 20th century.

#57 Stargazing at the White River Valley: Use the wide-open skies to stargaze from one of the park’s most beautiful vantage points.

#58 Badlands Park Ranger Talks: Attend a ranger-led talk to learn about the park’s natural and cultural history, or hear about the region’s unique wildlife.

#59 Visit the Prairie Wind Overlook: Enjoy a panoramic view of the park’s expansive prairie landscape and learn about its geological history.

#60 Explore the Medicine Root Loop Trail: This scenic 3.5-mile loop provides views of the rolling prairie and the park’s iconic rock formations.

#61 Hike to the Peak of Pinnacles Overlook: Reach the summit of Pinnacles Overlook for a 360-degree view of the surrounding area.

#62 Experience the Bigfoot Exhibit: Learn about local folklore at the Bigfoot Exhibit in the park’s visitor center.

#63 Bison Viewing at Sage Creek Rim Road: Take a drive along Sage Creek Rim Road, where you may spot bison grazing along the trail.

#64 The Prairie Viewpoint: Enjoy the serenity and vastness of the park’s prairie ecosystem with this peaceful stop at the viewpoint.

#65 Explore the Cedar Pass Overlook: Head to the Cedar Pass Overlook to get spectacular views of the jagged rock formations and prairie lands.

#66 Visit the Old West Town of Scenic: Explore the nearby town of Scenic, known for its Old West charm and proximity to the park.

#67 Catch the Solar Eclipse at Badlands: Plan a trip to Badlands during a solar eclipse for an unforgettable astronomical experience.

#68 Learn About Geology at the Fossil Exhibit Trail: Learn about the park’s rich fossil history with an easy walk along the Fossil Exhibit Trail.

#69 Hike the Notch Trail Ladder: Test your courage and climb the wooden ladder to reach one of the most stunning views in the park.

#70 Take a Backcountry Camping Trip: For a more immersive experience, apply for a backcountry camping permit and explore the more remote areas of the park.

#71 Canoeing on the White River: Try canoeing or kayaking on the White River that winds through the park, offering scenic views and peaceful vibes.

#72 Discover the Wildlife of the Park: Spend a day observing the diverse wildlife, from prairie dogs to golden eagles.

#73 Bison Watching at Sage Creek: Spot bison herds roaming freely through the park’s open prairie at the Sage Creek area.

#74 Take the Badlands Scenic Byway: Take a road trip on the Badlands Scenic Byway to see some of the park’s most iconic views.

#75 Capture Sunrise at the Door: Arrive early to witness the magical sunrise as it lights up the Door Trail and surrounding areas.

#76 The Sage Creek Rim Road: Take a scenic drive along this road to see the park’s diverse wildlife and breathtaking vistas.

#77 Explore the Fossil Bed Area: Walk through the park’s fossil beds, where prehistoric creatures once roamed millions of years ago.

#78 Visit the Blue Bell Lodge: Stay at Blue Bell Lodge for a rustic experience surrounded by the park’s beautiful wilderness.

#79 Desert Camping Under the Stars: Camp out in the Badlands wilderness and enjoy the spectacular starlit sky.

#80 Riding the Badlands Loop: Ride your bike along the park’s scenic loop road to experience the landscape up close.

#81 Climbing at the Pinnacles: Scale the challenging Pinnacles rock formations for an adventurous day of climbing.

#82 Take a Helicopter Tour: See the park from a bird’s-eye view on a thrilling helicopter tour offering breathtaking aerial views.

#83 The Saddle Pass at Sunset: Experience the Badlands at its most beautiful, with the golden hour casting long shadows over the park.

#84 Hiking to the Peak of Castle Trail: Tackle the Castle Trail for a longer hike with great views of the park’s iconic formations.

#85 Explore the Mounds Overlook: Visit the Mounds Overlook to see the park’s unique rock formations and expansive plains.

#86 Visit the Fossil Lab: Tour the park’s Fossil Preparation Lab and see paleontologists at work on fossil discoveries.

#87 Hike to the White River Outlook: A short and easy hike leading to one of the park’s best panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

#88 Explore the Medicine Root Loop: Explore the park’s Medicine Root Loop for views of the diverse Badlands ecosystem.

#89 Look for Tracks at the Fossil Trail: Search for ancient footprints at the Fossil Trail while learning about the park’s ancient history.

#90 Night Sky Photography: The park offers incredible opportunities for capturing photos of the starry sky with minimal light pollution.

#91 Participate in a Geology Field Program: Join one of the park’s geology programs to learn more about the park’s fascinating rock formations.

#92 Hike the Castle Butte: A short and challenging trail to the top of Castle Butte offers spectacular views of the Badlands landscape.

#93 Drive the Badlands Loop: Take the scenic drive through the park and stop at different viewpoints to see the variety of rock formations.

#94 Go Birdwatching: With its variety of habitats, the park is a great spot for birdwatching, especially in spring and fall.

#95 Visit the White River Valley Overlook: Capture the expansive views of the valley and surrounding Badlands terrain at this stunning overlook.

#96 Explore the Prairie Dog Town: Visit the park’s prairie dog colonies, where you can watch the adorable animals in their natural habitat.

#97 Stop at the Pinnacles Overlook: Make a stop at this scenic overlook to capture stunning views of the Pinnacles formations.

#98 Attend a Badlands Cultural Event: Experience one of the park’s cultural events, such as Native American heritage celebrations and local festivals.

#99 Explore the Heart of the Badlands: Hike deep into the heart of the Badlands wilderness for an immersive experience in this unique landscape.

#100 Explore the Pinnacles at Dusk: Visit the park at dusk to see how the light changes the colors of the Pinnacles and surrounding rock formations.

Conclusion:

Badlands National Park offers an adventure for every nature lover and explorer. Use PlanMyWeekend.ai to plan your perfect visit and make the most of your time in this one-of-a-kind park.