Top Things to Do in Badlands National Park
Things to Do in Badlands National Park
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Book these experiences for a close-up look at Badlands National Park.
Top Attractions in Badlands National Park
National Parks • Lookouts
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts
National Parks • Geologic Formations
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
What travellers are saying
- SuzannePottsboro, TX127 contributionsThe loop road was an amazing drive. Nice, paved roads and the most beautiful scenery with many pull offs for overlooks. The drive has beautiful changes in landscape from the wall and badlands to open prairies and mounds of changing colors. Simply stunning. The wildlife come alive toward evening hours. We were able to get some of the most beautiful sunset pictures with and without wildlife. Such a wonderful visit overall. An absolute must do!!Written 19 October 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- F0odLuverLos Angeles, CA100 contributionsIt was a hot day & no wind at the Badland. A truly amazing sight. Felt like you’re on the top of the world almost. So calming!Written 24 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Sheldon KingWynyard, Canada1,146 contributionsWow loved this trail. One word of warning anyone with mobility issues or fear of heights will probably not make it past the ladder. But if you can it is so well worth it for the finish. You start walking among the hoodoos and then climb to an upper level. Then you finally come to a notch in the wall that opens up an amazing view over the valley. Great finish.Written 1 October 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- nancym290Weymouth241 contributionsWe started our trip through Badlands National Park at the Overlook. This was one of the better stops. You could walk out up to the edge (and we are seniors so, if we could do it, anyone can do it).
Then we proceeded through along the paved road. There are many stops along the road and each offers a different perspective.
We traveled along the prairie dog area near dusk and a number of the animals were out and scurrying about. We even saw some mountain sheep in this area.
Do not miss the yellow rocks -- very pretty.
This park is a must see.Written 22 September 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - sanju_222323New Jersey13,440 contributionsIf you want to get up close with the amazing rock formations of the Badlands without a full-on hike, this is a great option. The Door Trail is 0.75 miles long (round-trip), flat, and great for almost all ability levels.
The trail starts off as a boardwalk (100 meters of the hike is on a boardwalk). Once off the boardwalk, you will hike 800 meters into the Badlands, on rough, uneven terrain. The national park service lists this part of the trail as strenuous but I think most people will find it to be easy but fun. Kids will love this short, fun hike.
Tip: The Notch Trail, Door Trail, and Window Trail all start from the same parking lot.Written 21 July 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - SuzannePottsboro, TX127 contributionsThe Yellow Mounds are stunning. This area of the park is the most beautiful and the place to be as the landscape begins to change and wildlife begins to want to hang out more. Be sure to make a special trip to be around the Mounds in the evening to get some fantastic sunset pics and see the wildlife coming out and about. Great area!Written 23 October 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jerry FPilot Point, TX354 contributionsWe must have stopped the same time everyone else did. You could not walk without bumping into someone else. I still give it a great review because of everything they offer at the center. While in the park, it is a must do.Written 30 August 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Laura BLubbock, TX9 contributionsHave them in Texas as well. It's illegal for you to feed them but they are cute and they will come up to you to a point so you can take pictures but that's all. Hadn't seen them since I was a kid.Written 31 August 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- FDingerFlorida1,257 contributionsThis is the highest overlook on the Badlands Loop Road, and it offers some of the most panoramic views. It was also our last overlook, driving east to west, so we just savored the scenery. There are a couple vantage points if you walk down from the parking area--be sure to check them out. I highly recommend a stop here.Written 24 July 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- WC-Travelers-75West Chester, PA2,201 contributionsWe parked our small motorhome at and hiked the Saddle Pass Trail since rated moderate challenging on All Trails. Take water. Forget it - it is difficult. Steep with slippery gravel and sand . Could not have made it up without trekking poles. A lot of people going up or down went back. We thought it was too difficult for us seniors to go back down. We hiked the Castle Trail out to Fossil Exhibit Trail Head for 2 miles and planned to hike back along the Loop Road to our RV. We were rescued by 2 hikers we met earlier on the Castle Trail headed towards Saddle Pass Trail. When we got to Fossil Exhibit Trail Head, they were waiting for us to drive us back to our RV. This avoided hiking back along the hot Loop Road to our RV.
The best trail magic ever.Written 20 August 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - FDingerFlorida1,257 contributionsWe drove the gravel Sage Creek Rim Road east to west from the Badlands Loop Road. It offers beautiful views of the prairie grasslands to the north and the steep drop of the Badlands Wall to the valley to the south. We saw pronghorn antelope, bison, and of course prairie dogs at Roberts Prairie Dog Town. I highly recommend a visit to this part of Badlands National Park.Written 24 July 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- dixiepeachKansas City, MO8,236 contributionsIf you only have limited time at the Badlands put this point on your list of places to stop and take some photos. It’s quite stunning.Written 14 September 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Tricia BWisconsin355 contributionsWe hiked Medicine Root/Castle Trail starting off on the north side of the trail first where we saw some coyotes and deer. We were glad we started off with the Medicine Root part of the loop because it was less interesting than the last half of the trail that looped around to Castle Trail. It was definitely worth the little side trip to Saddle Pass; the views were stunning. However, don't expect to be alone because many people hike up the steep trail to Saddle Pass from farther down the road. The loop we took did not have a strenuous incline. It was a pretty easy 4.3 mile hike but bring plenty of water because it gets hit with very little shade. To get to the trailhead parking, we turned on Old Northeast Road.Written 6 August 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- William ORapid City, SD2,623 contributionsThis trail is not just good for scenic views, but we saw various trees, a gray chipmunk, and a variety of birds as well. We spent over and hour listening for birds and taking in the views.Written 18 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kevin O10 contributionsThis was an amazing adventure to the end of the Sheep Mountain Table Road. My Jeep Wrangler had no problems with the terrain and we never used the 4x4, it just needed high clearance. This trip was far more scenic and enjoyable than the paved over crowded roads in the North Unit. It was the best day of a trip over a week long exploring the area. Take a lunch and chairs and set at the end of the road for a couple of hours and listen to the wind.Written 31 May 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Badlands National Park
- The top attractions to visit in Badlands National Park are: See all attractions in Badlands National Park on Tripadvisor
- The best outdoor activities in Badlands National Park according to Tripadvisor travellers are: See all outdoor activities in Badlands National Park on Tripadvisor
- The best day trips from Badlands National Park according to Tripadvisor travellers are:
- Badlands National Park Secrets Unveiled
- Private Badlands Package
- Badlands Sunset and Night Sky Adventure
- Dakota Badlands, Custer, and Mount Rushmore, VIP Private Boutique Tour
- Private Badlands National Park Day Tour
- The most popular things to do in Badlands National Park with children according to Tripadvisor travellers are:See all kid friendly things to do in Badlands National Park on Tripadvisor
Badlands National Park Attractions Information
| Attractions | 25 |
|---|---|
| Attraction Reviews | 6,484 |
| Attraction Photos | 7,092 |
| Local Time | Tuesday 5:30 p.m. |