An epic day in Badlands National Park.
Nestled in the rugged terrain of South Dakota lies a landscape that seems to defy the ordinary. Badlands National Park, with its striking rock formations, expansive prairies, and diverse wildlife, offers an otherworldly experience to those who venture into its midst. We spent a day in this underrated National Park and the surrounding area, and Boondocked on one of the most epic landscape vistas we have ever seen.
Getting There
We were in the middle of a roadtrip with our next step being Badlands National Park. Driving from the east along interstate 90, it is impossible to miss signs for the “Wall Drug Store”. For what felt like hours, every few miles we would see another sign for this supposedly iconic drug store… we had to find out for ourselves. Turns out, a trip to the Badlands National Park is not complete without a stop at the Wall Drug Store, a legendary roadside attraction that beckons with promises of free ice water, homemade donuts, and Western kitsch.
Many visitors choose to pause here, wandering through a sprawling complex of shops and cafes, before continuing on their journey to the Badlands. While it may seems like just an indoor strip mall, it was filled with hidden gems and stores and is definitely a must-do if you are taking a trip to the Badlands! Equipped with new cowboy hats, chocolate filled snacks, and souvenirs we probably didn’t need, we were ready to explore.
Beyond Wall, the landscape begins to shift, with the rugged beauty of the Badlands looming on the horizon, our adventure was just beginning.
Boondocking at “The Wall”
Our first stop was the iconic and elusive boondocking location called “The Wall”. This has been coined as one of THE BEST locations to boondock in the United States, with out-of-this world views of the Badland landscape. However finding this location can be tricky…
The site is located about 6 miles south of Wall, South Dakota on Highway 240, and about 1 mile from the Pinnacle entrance to the Badlands National Park. When traveling south on Highway 240 from Wall and I-90, you will see three radio towers up on a hill to the left. You will turn on the dirt road leading to the east and when you get to the “Wall”, you will see dozens of other campers set up along a cliff and can decide which way to turn and set up your camp.
We nestled into our spot and relaxed for the evening, taking in the expansive views in front of us. We watched a herd of cattle graze in the distance below us, we saw one of the most amazing sunsets we have ever seen, and we soaked up the blissful evening amongst the stars and other campers.
This was truly an experience we will never forget and highly recommend to anyone who enjoys camping.
A Day in the Park
The next morning we began our journey into the Badlands National Park. We started our journey by stopping at multiple vistas that offer amazing views of the Badlands landscape, a truly unique sight. We stopped at the aptly named Sunrise Overlook and Pinnacles Overlook.
A trip through the Badlands is not complete without a few hikes. The Park offers multiple hiking options ranging from short to long. Since we only had a day to spend, we opted for a few of the shorter trails to see as much as we could. One of the most popular trails is the Notch Trail, which took us on a journey through a scenic canyon and up a wooden ladder to a breathtaking overlook. Along the way, we encountered towering rock formations known as hoodoos, which have been sculpted by centuries of erosion.
For those seeking a longer adventure, the Castle Trail offers a more extensive exploration of the park's rugged terrain. This 10-mile round trip trek takes hikers past some of the park's most iconic landmarks, including the Cathedral Spires and the Castle Butte. We opted to not do this one but encountered many travelers that were there for that hike.
As the day wound down, we continued a leisurely drive along the Badlands Loop Road, which continued to offer endless panoramic views of the park's stunning landscape. Be sure to stop at overlooks like Yellow Mounds and Big Badlands Overlook for some of the best photo opportunities in the park.
To end the day we stopped at one of the designated sunset spot, Panorama Point. Here, we watched as the sky is set ablaze with fiery hues, casting a warm glow upon the rugged terrain below.
It was a fitting end to a day spent amidst the enigmatic beauty of Badlands National Park, which we now consider one of our favorite National Parks we have ever been to!
Buffalo Gap National Grasslands
The next day we spent the morning in the area exploring the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, and we highly recommend not skipping this overlooked area if you visit Badlands National Park!
Buffalo Gap National Grassland is one of the prominent units of the United States National Grassland System. It spans over 600,000 acres of rugged terrain, characterized by expansive grasslands, buttes, canyons, and dry creek beds. Set against the backdrop of the Badlands, it offers opportunities for camping and hiking.
We opted to team up with a local ranch for a day on horseback exploring the area. Our guide took us around her property and the area, chasing cattle, taking in the gorgeous landscape. We saw a rattlesnake while on horseback - which you need to look out for as there are many in the area!
While the Grasslands are often glanced over by visitors, we highly recommend spending some time exploring!
Conclusion
To summarize, Badlands National Park is truly one of our most favorite parks. It is easy to see the Park and the surrounding areas in just a couple of days and is a must-do for any outdoor enthusiast.
Before your next trip, be sure to grab yourself a piece of Park Life Badlands National Park apparel to complete this bucket list trip!
Because of this love for National Parks, Park Life has committed to donating 3% of all sales to benefit our National Park System! The National Park System includes over 400 sites that preserve 85 million acres of the world's most treasured landscapes, ecosystems, and historical sites. Your purchase of Park Life gear will help the National Park Foundation protect these treasured landscapes for generations to come.
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