Visitor Safety

Seemingly easy to explore, the Badlands of South Dakota are deceptively dangerous.   Although most visitors respect the relative instability of the highest pinnacles in the park, the lower and more accessible sod tables and buttes can be hazardous.

Remain on trails in designated areas.   If you go off trail,you must be able to read a map and keep your bearings.   The expanses of badlands can become quite confusing.   Coupled with the summer heat and high winds, a very dangerous situation can arise.

Always travel with water, a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.   Make sure someone knows where you have gone.

The park does have resident prairie rattlesnakes.   However, the prairie rattler is the least aggressive of all rattlesnakes.   If you remember that they like to hide in cracks and crevices or lie in wait for their prey - amphibians, insects, and small birds - in the grasses, you should not encounter a rattler.   Statistically, the most dangerous creature of Badlands National Park is the prickly pear cactus.   Always wear closed toe shoes when exploring the park.

Remember:   Digging and/or moving fossils or artifacts from their location in the ground is prohibited by Federal law.   The matter is taken very seriously in our Park.   Offenders are prosecuted.   Fines range from $50.00 to $250,000 and in severe cases offenders have been jailed.