What's a Fossil For: Fossil Talks Offered Daily at Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park was established by Congress in 1939 to protect what were then considered "the most extensive mammal fossil beds in the world." However, most visitors arrive at South Dakota's largest national park not knowing that it is considered to be a "fossil park" within the National Park System. Park staff conduct short talks on the park's primary resource - fossils - three times daily through mid-August at the Fossil Exhibit Trail, located seven miles north of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center along the Badlands Loop Road. These 20 minute presentations include a change to handle several different examples of prehistoric animals once found in this area. Fossil Talks are accessible to those with mobility impairments and great for children. They are held at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. daily.

You'll discover rhinoceroses in South Dakota, a relative of the horse that looks more like an elephant, and deep sea creatures who once lived in what is now one of the driest areas in the country. Scientists believe that the White River Badlands once looked more like southern Florida than the semi-arid prairie we see today. Did you know that we also have direct connections to the savannahs of Africa? Learn more by visiting this 244,000 acre preserve set aside by you for you right here at home in South Dakota.

There is no charge to attend these ranger-led programs. Badlands National Park does have a $10 per passenger vehicle entrance fee that is collected at entrance stations located at Exits 131 and 110 of Interstate 90 and near the town of Interior. An entrance receipt is good for seven days of exploration of South Dakota's largest national park.

To learn more about the resources of Badlands National Park, visit the park virtually at http://www.nps.gov/badl Badlands Natural History Association, the park's non-profit partner, operates bookstores in the Ben Reifel Visitor Center in the park and the National Grasslands Visitor Center in Wall, South Dakota. These bookstores feature educational materials on natural and cultural resource topics.