The Stark Beauty of Badlands National Park
Summer Road Trip, Day 3
I stood on the shifty rocks overlooking a wasteland of jagged peaks and otherworldly terrain.
The wind was whipping violently at my face, but the landscape before me remained indifferent.
What did the Indians think about such a scene as they were being chased from their lands by the white man?
At first glance, the unnatural formations appear to be impenetrable, but after further exploration, we found a realm unto its own. Wildlife, flowers and vegetation blooms, but initially is overshadowed by the ethereal terrain.
Come explore the Badlands with us on this photo tour!
Click here for 6 Things You Cannot Miss when Visiting the Badlands!
Miles Driven Today: 101, Total Miles Driven: 1,023, Average Gas Price per Gallon: $2.29, States: South Dakota
And so our epic 80 day summer road trip continues – 13 U.S. states, 2 Canadian provinces and 13 national parks. You can also follow our journey via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
If you would like to see our full itinerary, start at the beginning here. And Day 1 here.
Next Stop: Custer State Park
What’s your favorite picture? Tell us in the comments below!
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Chris Travels
I personally loved ALL your outstanding photos of the badlands and cute animals, but the one that “tickled my fancy” the most (am I telling my age here), was of Angela climbing those awesome manmade wooden stairs. How unique they are and looks like a lot of fun, precarious as they may have been!
Dang Travelers
That hike was our favorite in the badlands. The trail (notch trail) ends with a wonderful panoramic view and includes hiking along a ledge with many cliffside birds.
Dana Camp
Were you the only people there? Awesome pics
Dang Travelers
Lol at sunset it felt like it! During the day though there were people, but not busy at all for some reason. The parking lots weren’t ever full. Maybe June is a good month?
Kristen
Awesome pictures! I can’t wait to follow along on the rest of your trip! Make sure you drive along Needles Highway in Custer State Park, it’s gorgeous!
Dang Travelers
Thanks, we plan on it! Hoping to ride every road we can! Appreciate you following along!
Diane R
Awesome trip so far. Love you two. Enjoy every moment of your long adventure.
Sure Tyler and Jason will miss you.
Dang Travelers
Thanks Diane! We are going to miss them. 3 months is a long time, but if it keeps going like this past week it’s going to pass by pretty quickly.
Laura Cerny
Great photos! We enjoyed our return to the Badlands 2 years ago but we missed the log ladder in one of your pics. Where is it? Thanks for a great trip down memory lane.
Dang Travelers
It’s on the notch trail, in the same section as the window and door trail. It was a fun one!
Prasad Np
Love the pictures of the wild creatures roaming freely.. in there safe heaven
Dang Travelers
Exactly Prasad! Love seeing them in their natural habitat.
Matt
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Cheers!
Dang Travelers
Thanks Matt!
Kim B
Hey travelers,
My first trip through the Badlands was 27 years ago w/my youngest sister, my most recent trip was this summer w/my mom.
27 years ago my sis & I took our first helicopter rides over the badlands. Needless to say it was outstanding! I agree with you about how surreal the landscape is & how forboding it initially appears as well & how that changes the longer you are there.
This summer I had the privilege of driving through the area with my mother. I think the highlight for her, besides the beauty of the place, was the prairie dog town. I’m not sure how long we sat and watched them but it was absolutely delightful to watch and be there with my mother.
Onward.
Kim B
Dang Travelers
Traveling and sharing experiences with family is the best! A helicopter ride would be a fantastic way to see the park 😆 we’ve only done that once in Denali National Park. I love that you are following along on our adventure Kim! And that you have memories to go along with our new experiences!!