A ridge that goes through the park, and is the site of incredible rock formations, which are being eroded, and therefore slowly change over time.See more..
this is the best overlook in the park. From the overlook, you gaze out at an enormous section of zebra-striped hills. The view is jaw-dropping and this is a magical place at sunrise. We planned to see the sunrise but our bad luck, it was a foggy morning and we did nothing but sit and watch the foggy sunrise. but what I found out is, from the Big Badlands Overlook, you can either watch the sunrise from the viewing platform (a short walk from the parking lot) or you can hike out into the hills. It’s worth the short walk since you can get closer to the striped rock formations and colorful pinnacles.See more..
5.0Yellow Mounds Overlook(208 reviews) - Highlight of the Park Spent < 1 hour National Parks • Lookouts • Geologic Formations
The 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!See more..
5.0Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway(80 reviews) - Engineering marvel of a road Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Drives • Geologic Formations
This scenic drive along 16A is a marvel of early 20th century engineering. A very winding road, it provides vistas and numerous areas to pull over and enjoy the scenery. The LOW and NARROW tunnels are quite the treat. Forget going to see Mount Rushmore at the park. This route includes an overlook that provides a FREE, commanding view from across the valley of the monument. The winding drive up to this overlook is its own adventure (especially the LOW and NARROW tunnels). Once at the overlook, the info placards and trails and rock scrambling and free parking are added bonuses that make this location a great opportunity.See more..
Under new ownership as of a month ago. Interesting place. I thought the video was very informative and easy to understand. Explains the content of the layers and how the black hills were formed by pressure from below and not shifting plates. How the erosion formed and exposed what we see and how it created the badlands. The museum also has nice displays and several interesting rocks. The trail was not easy for me, but I took it slow and got it done. Definitely not handicap accessible in any way (stairs, roots, rocks, steep, etc.) The forest has several petrified trees, some in their original location, exposed by erosion or digging, and others were moved there from other parts of the property during construction, like the "wood pile". It is a fairly narrow band/area that got petrified, so it's not loaded with petrified trees alone like some places.See more..
5.0Panorama Point Overlook(60 reviews) - The WOW factor comes to life here. Spent < 1 hour National Parks • Geologic Formations
Breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, beyond our wildest imagination! We arrived after a raging thunderstorm that turned the sky purple with huge thunder clouds.The short burst of torrential rain washed the spires and formations to reveal their rich colors in the late afternoon sunshine that followed. The kids (and adults) loved climbing and adventuring in the moonscape-like terrains. What nature and God conspired to create is truly a marvel worth experiencing at least once in your lifetime.See more..
4.5Bigfoot Pass Overlook(35 reviews) - read the history Spent < 1 hour National Parks • Geologic Formations
Bigfoot Pass was a route used by Lakota leader Spotted Elk to evade the US Army. there is a history associated with this pass. approximately 200 Hunkpapa Lakota fled to join Chief Spotted Elk, also known as Big Foot, and his band of Miniconjou Lakota at the Cheyenne Reservation. This group departed for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation on December 23, seeking refuge with Chief Red Cloud. Five days later, a detachment of the 7th Calvary met the traveling group and escorted them to Wounded Knee Creek. The next day (December 29, 1890), tensions rose and the 7th Calvary massacred an estimated 150-300 men, women, and children at Wounded Knee. another great stop during the Badlands scenic drive. It is perfect for photos and it shows a different type of vegetation than the rest of the park.See more..
4.5White River Valley Overlook(34 reviews) - Spectacular Overlook in the Badlands Spent < 1 hour National Parks • Geologic Formations
Spectacular views. This was one of my favorites stops of the many overlooks along the Badlands Loop Road. Make sure to walk out onto the rocks for an even better experience.See more..
4.5Homestead Overlook(32 reviews) - Where the Prairie Meets the Badlands Spent < 1 hour National Parks • Geologic Formations
From Homestead Overlook, one can look down at the last few jagged, colorful ridges of the Badlands and then the vast expanse of the prairie beyond; as one peers out over the prairie one can imagine the trials of pioneers as they homesteaded this unforgiving land. Visiting in mid-June, this turned out to be one of our favorite Badlands overlooks as the fresh, bright-green grass of the prairie contrasted beautifully with the reds and buffs of the layered rocky ridges. The scene was made even more beautiful by the scattered storms in the area making for dramatic skies and lighting.See more..
4.5Burns Basin Overlook(28 reviews) - Ravines, ravines, ravines Spent < 1 hour National Parks • Geologic Formations
Rocky barren hillsides veer off into steep ravines. So many ravines, in fact, you could easily get lost in them.See more..
4.5Conata Basin Overlook(27 reviews) - Short boardwalk to see view Spent < 1 hour National Parks • Geologic Formations
The Conata Basin Overlook can be viewed by walking to the end of a straight boardwalk. The boardwalk is about 500 feet long. It is was worth a 10 minute stop.See more..
