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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Badlands National Park Badlands Scenery NPS Photo by Shaina Niehans
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Road Construction

The Badlands Loop Road is being improved through a Federal Highways ARRA project. Extensive construction may result in intermittent delays and poor road conditions. Check updates from the link below.
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Welcome to the Badlands!

People are drawn to the rugged beauty of the Badlands. These geologic deposits contain one of the world's richest fossil beds. Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse, and saber-toothed cat once roamed here. The park's 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, deer, pronghorn, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.
 

Plan a Visit

Planning a visit to Badlands National Park? Be sure to read the Badlands Visitor Guide. This guide contains valuable information on topics such as visitor facilities, hiking trails, camping and much more.


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Ranger Programs

The park offers a full menu of ranger programs from May 30 through September 11. Limited ranger programs are available from September 12 through September 25. Programs include talks, walks, evening programs, and junior ranger programs. Don't miss our night sky programs available Friday through Monday nights!  


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Photos & Multimedia

Photos and videos can provide just a sense of the amazing scenic landscape awaiting you at Badlands National Park. Check out the Badlands in Brief video series to learn more about the park!


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Planning Underway for the South Unit General Management Plan

The National Park Service is working on a General Management Plan (GMP) for the South Unit of Badlands National Park. Updates on the process are now available in Newsletter #2 Spring 2009 (879 KB PDF). The GMP management team will be preparing a list of alternatives for managing the South Unit, based on public comments. The draft South Unit GMP will be available in early 2010, with another public comment period occurring shortly thereafter.


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Write to

25216 Ben Reifel Road
P.O. Box 6
Interior, South Dakota 57750

E-mail Us

Phone

Park Headquarters
(605) 433-5361

Fax

(605) 433-5404

Climate

The Badlands climate is variable and unpredictable with temperatures ranging from -40 F to 116 F. The summers are hot and dry with occasional violent thunderstorms. Winters are typically cold with 12 to 24 inches of total snowfall. Extremely high winds are common year-round. Sudden and dramatic weather changes are common. Dress in layers. Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and adequate water are recommended for hiking.
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Black-footed ferret photo by Randy Matchett, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Did You Know?
Four species of wildlife have been reintroduced into the Badlands since its establishment as a National Monument in 1939. The black-footed ferret, bighorn sheep, bison, and swift fox, once exterminated from the area's mixed grass prairie, are again thriving in their native habitat.
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Last Updated: August 26, 2010 at 13:23 EST