NPAD: Badlands & BeyondThis may be the winner for the most underrated national park. Located in South Dakota, it protects 244,000 acres of wilderness. With rock pinnacles and spires surrounded by swaths of prairie and grassland, as well as bison and bighorn sheep, this rugged beauty draws visitors from around the world.AuthorsNPADTravel
DestinationsBadlands National ParkItinerary

Must-Do Hikes

Notch Trail
After meandering through a canyon, this 1.5-mile (round trip) trail climbs a log ladder and follows a ledge to "the Notch," offering a dramatic view of the White River Valley. The trail begins at the south end of the Door and Window parking area. It is not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights and can be treacherous during or after heavy rains or snow. This is the most popular trail—and the one that sees the most injuries—so be careful!
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Premier Private Badlands Day Tour
Explore Badlands National Park with local guides, spotting wildlife and fossils among stunning landscapes. Enjoy a scenic lunch, visit the Minuteman National Historic Site, and stop at Wall Drug for homemade donuts. Tours are private, flexible, and customizable, allowing time for hiking, photos, and personal interests.
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Window Trail
Short and sweet! This trail is accessible for everyone to enjoy views of the Badlands and provides excellent perspectives of the layered geology. The view at the end offers a premier vantage point of the Badlands wall, extending far beyond the park's eastern boundary. We saw several bighorn sheep and pronghorn on this trail.
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Badlands National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
Download this audio tour as you venture from hike to hike!
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Fossil Exhibit National Recreation Trail
Another short but sweet trail, especially if you're a fossil fan! This 0.4-mile out-and-back trail includes informative signs about fossils (note: there are no actual fossils on display). It's family-friendly and offers easy passage on a boardwalk.
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Must-Do Activities

Crazy Horse Memorial
Distance from BLNP: 1.5 hours. For us, this was the most special stop of our trip. We could talk forever about it—but just go. There are demonstrations, tours, short films, and a beautiful museum, so plan to spend a couple of hours here.
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Black Hills National Forest
We spent the day hiking around the Black Hills and spotted mountain goats along the way! It's helpful to download the trail maps ahead of time as service can get spotty!
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Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Black Hills and Mt Rushmore
This guide for Black Hills will serve you well as you head off for a day of adventure.
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The Mammoth Site
Distance from BLNP: 1.5 hours. This is the world's largest mammoth research facility and one of the top fossil interpretive sites in North America. Over 60 mammoths have been unearthed, along with at least 87 other Late Ice Age animals. It's one of the most unique "museums" we have ever visited.
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Custer State Park
Distance from BLNP: 1.2 hours. We rented a canoe and paddled Sylvan Lake for the afternoon, then drove the entirety of Needles Highway. *Note: There is an entrance fee to the state park.
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Wind Cave National Park Visitor Center
Distance from BLNP: 1.5 hours. A fascinating cave system and well worth the visit.
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Jewel Cave National Monument
An amazing place that features beautiful forests and trails above ground, but just below is a cave system filled with sparkling formations!
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Dahl's Chainsaw Art
For all the Bigfoot enthusiasts out there, you can't pass this one up. Snap a photo with the iconic Sasquatch and check out all the other amazing pieces of woodwork.
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Wildlife and Iconic Roads: The Black Sheep Tour
We definitely have to mention Mount Rushmore. We went and are glad we saw it, but honestly, it paled in comparison to Crazy Horse.
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Lodging

Buffalo Gap National Grassland
Located right outside the park, there is only one small developed campground, but plenty of open spaces to camp. We tent camped, and it was WINDY (don’t forget those tent stakes!). We had some sheep as night visitors, but the views were *chef's kiss*.
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Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort
So much to choose from here! We stayed in a glamping tent that was comfy, cozy, and warm even in September. They also have treehouses, cabins, teepees, RV sites, and tent sites available. Their camp store was fully stocked, and the bathrooms were clean and updated.
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