Badlands National Park is a United States National Park that is located in southwestern South Dakota. This park is marked by rugged terrain and formations that resemble a science fiction landscape of another world. These rock formations take on the shapes of domes, twisted canyons and slanted walls, often striped in different colors. The formations contrast sharply with the rolling hills and prairies in which they stand.

In addition to the rock formations, the park contains the largest, protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. The most endangered land mammal in North America, the black footed ferret, was re-introduced to the 64,000-acres Badlands Wilderness Area. The park also contains the world's richest fossil beds from the Oligocene epoch, dating back around 20-35 million years.

History
During the youth of the Rocky Mountains, about 60 million years ago, large number of streams carried eroded soil, rock and other materials eastward from the range. These materials were deposited on the vast lowlands which are today called the Great Plains. Dense vegetation grew in these lowlands, then fell into swamps, and was later buried by new layers of sediments. Millions of years later, this plant material turned into lignite coal. Some of the plant life became petrified, and we can find large amounts of exposed petrified wood in the badlands. While sediments continued to be deposited, more streams cut down through the soft rock layers, carving the variety of mesas, buttes, rock formations, pinnacles, spires and valleys are the features of the badlands seen today.

Flora and fauna
While the badlands terrain may appear to be barren, there is a great variety of wildlife and plant life here. The minimal annual precipitation feeds the grasses and wildflowers of the badlands. The brilliant colors of the blooms add to the palette of grays, browns, reds, ochres and greens of the land. The wildlife includes nearly two hundred species of birds, deer, prairie dogs, elk and bison.

Fees/Permits

An entry pass good for one year is available for $20. Otherwise, people who drive a non-commercial vehicle can buy a 7 day pass for $10. Hikers, cyclists and motorcyclists can get a 7 day pass for $5, though additional motorcycle passengers pay an additional $5 each.

Members of the Oglala Sioux tribe can buy the 7 day pass at half price, but the year pass is still $20.

A National Parks Pass is available for $50 that allows entry in to any National Park for a year after it's first use. It can be purchased at the entrance to National Parks or via this National Park web site . The National Park Service offers lifetime access options to permanently disabled persons, as well as persons 62 years of age, or older at National Park entrances or via the National Park Golden Age/Access/Eagle web page .

Lodging

Cedar Pass Lodge is the only permanent lodging within Badlands NP. For reservations, call (605) 433 - 5460.

Camping
There are two campgrounds within the Badlands NP.
 • Cedar Pass Campground costs $10 for a site in the summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day), and $8 for a site in the winter.
 • Sage Creek Campground is free.
Both campgrounds are first come first served, and more information can be found on the NPS Badlands web page .

Backcountry

According to the National Park Service Badlands web page, backpackers can camp anywhere in the park that is at least one half mile from the road. Open fires are not permitted within the park. All backpackers are urged to stop at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, to better plan your trip and to alert the National Park Service to your presence.

Stay safe

There are two major threats to safety in the Badlands.
 • Weather --- with temperatures that can range from 100+ degrees Fahrenheit and severe thunderstorms move in quickly during the summer to well below zero on winter nights, Badlands NP visitors need to be prepared for the seasonal weather.
 • Wildlife --- The animals in the park are less of a threat to visitors who pay them the proper respect. However, ending up on the wrong end of an Bison can end in the hospital, or death for the park visitor. Visitors should also be wary of Prairie Rattlesnake, a subspecies of the rattlesnake.

Get out

While in South Dakota, check out the lesser known Chief Crazy Horse mountain memorial (sculpture) which is still under construction, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park or the Black Hills National Forest. Drive west into Wyoming, checking out Devils Tower National Monument, Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park.