Information About Badlands National Park

Information About Badlands National Park

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Badlands National Park in South Dakota has stunning scenery and is home to one of the world's most prolific fossil beds. The Oglala Lakota Nation co-manages the park with the National Park Service.

Hiking

Hike to your heart's content in the backcountry where no permits are required, or choose one of eight trails, which range in difficulty from easy to strenuous (quarter mile to 10 miles roundtrip). The park allows biking only on paved and unpaved roads; the loop road is narrow, so exercise caution.

Camping

Choose the improved campgrounds with flush toilets, potable water and covered picnic tables, or the primitive campgrounds with picnic tables and pit toilets on an unpaved road.

Wildlife

View the successfully reintroduced black-footed ferret and see swift foxes, bighorn sheep and bison. For your protection, stay 100 yards away from all wildlife.

Lodging and Dining

The Cedar Pass Lodge, its dining room and gift shop are open from mid-April through mid-October.

Other Activities

Visit the Ben Riefel Visitor Center and watch a film in the air-conditioned theater; it's open all year. Go to the White River Visitor Center and meet Tribal members, see a video and look at Lakota exhibits; it's open from June 1 through September 15.

Article Written By Ellen Kendall

Ellen Kendall has 15 years of writing and editing experience. Her travel and insurance articles have appeared in national magazines. Her book contributions include biographies and multi-cultural and Holocaust lesson plans. She has previously served as a real estate broker and interior designer and taught ESL in Korea and at Duke.

Write for Trails.com
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