Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park protects dramatc prairie-ridge terrain and extensive fossil beds in southwestern South Dakota. Enjoy scenic drives, short hikes, and trail-based wildlife viewing.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Midwestern USA |
| Subregion | Great Plains |
| Country | United States |
| State | South Dakota |
| County | Jackson and Pennington counties |
| City | Ziebach County and Black Hills region |
| Timezone | AmericaChicago |
| Latitude | 43.75 |
| Longitude | -102.5 |
| Maps |
1:58 PM LOCAL TIMEBadlands National Park is a surprisingly accessible wilderness of tough sandstone formations, deep valleys, and layered buttes that rise abruptly from the plains. Visitors come to see fossil-rich badlands, catch panoramic views along the Badlands Loop Road, and explore short, well-marked trails to skins of the landscape. The park also preserves prairie ecosystems that support bison, prairie dogs, and an array of wild birds. Near the exit town of Wall, the park is a gateway for geology, paleontology, and outdoor activities; year-round access makes it a key Southwest USA destination.
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