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.

Context Explanation

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. Badlands National Park has something to offer every visitor. Families? Attend a Junior Ranger Program and hike Fossil Exhibit Trail, a great place for little ones to explore.

Insight Material

Experienced hikers? Check out a social trail and backcountry camp for the night. Sore feet from days of exploring? Drive the Badlands Loop Road and keep an eye out for wildlife! Learn about all the different activities ...

Final Conclusion

Badlands National Park is located 75 miles east of Rapid City, South Dakota. Physical Addresses for GPS* Park Headquarters: 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD 57750. Set up camp at one of Badlands National Park's two official campgrounds. Whether you're seeing views of the Sage Creek Wilderness Area or Cedar Pass, you're sure to enjoy an overnight stay in the park. Badlands National Park contains a number of stories. Whether you're interested in a 75-million year old fossil record, archeological finds dating back 12,000 years, or recent monitoring of the park's mixed-grass prairie, you're sure to find something that interests you.

Use the links below to navigate to the park's learning portals, where you can check out articles and read about the many ... Learn About the Park - Badlands National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Located in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park consists of 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires surrounded by a mixed-grass prairie ecosystem. The mixed grass prairie is a transitional zone between the tall-grass prairie to the east and the short-grass prairie to the west.