Badlands National Park
242,756
Acres
1 million/year
Annual Visitors
$30
Entry Fee
April through October
Best Time to Visit
National Park Service
National Park
Badlands became a national park on November 10, 1978, protecting 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires in southwestern South Dakota. The formations expose 75 million years of geological history and contain one of the world's richest fossil beds for Eocene and Oligocene mammals.
What Badlands Is Known For
Eroded buttes and pinnacles
Fossil beds
Bison herds
Dramatic sunsets
Top Activities
Scenic drives
Hiking
Fossil hunting
Wildlife viewing
Stargazing
Our Complete Badlands Guide
Everything you need to plan your trip. Trails, timing, tips, and the spots most visitors miss.
Our Badlands Articles
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Hiking the Notch Trail in Badlands National Park
Educational Resources
10 Amazing Facts About Badlands National Park
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15 Best Hikes in Badlands National Park
National Park Guides
A Guide to Badlands National Park
Videos
Badlands National Park (Video) by More Than Just Parks
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20 Things to Do in Badlands National Park
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Plan Your Visit
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