Badlands National Park In South Dakota Just Turned 94 Years Old And It's The Perfect Spot For A Day Trip
By Tori Jane|Published March 12, 2024
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
The Badlands are nothing short of utterly incredible. This vast expanse of prairie and geological curiosities has spent millions of years becoming what it is – an incredible staple of our landscape – and to say it’s worthy of a day trip is to understate things a smidge. And what better time to visit than right now? After all, Badlands National Park in South Dakota just celebrated its 94th birthday, and the best possible way to celebrate is to check it out – don’t you think?
The birthday boy - or in this case, the birthday establishment - is almost 100 years old, now, and if that isn't just the coolest thing I don't know what is.
In the spring and summer, the wildflowers abound. Autumn is mild, if not chilly, and the winter is downright cold - but there's something awesome about visiting during every season that I definitely recommend. It's like a new experience each time. Lucky for us, it's open all year 'round, so you can show up whenever you'd like,
The views are incredible, and just about every single hiking trail in the park is worth doing. They range in difficulty from easy to very challenging, so there's something for everyone.
Sunsets - and sunrises - are to die for, and camping is always an option as well. I promise there's nothing more beautiful than a Badlands sunrise (or set). To say it's "breathtaking" is an understatement.
The geology of the park is incredibly intriguing, with many stories to tell. The colorful and stacked-up rock beds formed up to 75 million years ago, and thanks to thousands of centuries of erosion, they look absolutely awesome.
Wind and water are nature's most amazing sculptors - and both are in full display at Badlands National Park. South Dakota is beautiful, but Badlands National Park is exquisite.
Planning to hike while you’re here? Be sure to check out our handy-dandy hiking trip packing list so you don’t forget anything. If you’d like to learn more about the amazing history of Badlands National Park in South Dakota, check out the official National Park Service website. Do you have a favorite hiking trail around here? Tell me about it in the comments.
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