Badlands National Park covers and protects 244,000 acres of prairie grassland and geological formations, where you’ll often spot bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and other wildlife.

Badlands National Park is simply stunning with the mix of rugged terrain and prairie grasses, it feels like you are in another world being there.  It’s easy to make your way through this park in a whole day.  If you are traveling to Badlands from the Blackhills in the west, take exit 131 off of I-90 and travel the Badlands Loop Road to the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.  The visitor center has museum exhibits to explore, and offers Jr. Ranger booklets for kids to complete and earn a Jr. Ranger badge.  There is some food available for purchase but I recommend bringing a cooler with lunch and drinks since the park is so remote.  There are many picnic tables with shade cover scattered throughout the park.  Eating a picnic outside while enjoying the views is more enjoyable anyway.  

Starting at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, continue on the Badlands Loop Road toward Wall.  Visitors will have the opportunity to stop at countless overlooks or trailheads along the way.  Take your time driving the loop road and look for wildlife along the way. Follow signs that lead to Wall South Dakota and you will come back to I-90 and you can stop at the famous Wall Drug for dinner and dessert (they are famous for their pie and donuts).  

If you are visiting Badlands National Park from the East, then you will travel in reverse, exiting I-90 at Wall, traveling the loop road to get back to I-90 at exit 131.