Badlands National Park | Badlands GPS Activities | Badlands NPS Activities for Kids
Badlands National Park
Located in southwestern South Dakota, just east of Rapid City, Badlands National Park covers 244,000 acres of awe-inspiring terrain, characterized by sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires intermingled with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. This region, shaped by relentless wind and water, spans over 10,000 square miles and offers some of the most breathtaking sunsets and stargazing opportunities in the country. This particular area is home to the Oglala Sioux, part of the Great Sioux Nation. Historically, it was home to the mysterious and little studied paleo-Indians.
Today, the Badlands host a diverse ecosystem, with indigenous prairie dogs, bald eagles, antelope, bison, and even the critically endangered black-footed ferret. Spectacular overlooks along the Badlands Loop Road provide the best vantage points to appreciate the dramatic formations, while nature trails offer up-close encounters with these captivating landscapes. Whether you're exploring individually or as a group, the Badlands beckon as a sanctuary of solitude and natural wonder, providing a rejuvenating escape for the soul.
Badlands GPS Activities
Looking for a family-friendly park adventure? Pick up a copy of the GPS Adventure Activity Book and use it to navigate to points of interest.
Badlands NPS Activities for Kids
Get Outdoors, It's Yours!" is a national campaign focused on getting America's youth outside and engaging with Nature. The goal of this initiative is to encourage children and their families to spend more time outdoors. The National Park Service site provides fun activities and information about Web Rangers, Junior Rangers (RangerZONE), and Park Fun. Click on the link below to get to know the NPS Web Ranger site and the exciting activities offered for kids of all ages.