https://www.nps.gov/badl News releases from Badlands National Park. en-us https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/prescribed-fire-planned-this-week-at-badlands-national-park.htm Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:00:00 EST Planning is underway to burn 2500 acres of land near Sheep Mt. Table this week. Timing for the prescribed fire will depend on preparedness levels, fuel moisture, weather forecasts, and resource availability, however the anticipated date is 9/25/2025. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/prescribed-fire-planned-this-week-at-badlands-national-park.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/2025-08-12-new-concessioner-chosen.htm Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:42:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Explor Badlands, LLC to operate lodging, campground, food and beverage, and retail services at Badlands National Park under a 10-year concession contract. Existing services will transition to the new concessioner on November 1, 2025.   https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/2025-08-12-new-concessioner-chosen.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-astronomy-festival-to-be-held-july-18th-20th-2025.htm Fri, 27 Jun 2025 11:53:00 EST Officials at Badlands National Park plan to host the 2025 Badlands Astronomy Festival, July 18 - 20, 2025, daily from 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m., at the park. The annual festival brings together space science professionals, amateur astronomers, educators, and visitors for a three-day astronomy celebration. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-astronomy-festival-to-be-held-july-18th-20th-2025.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-national-park-announces-lodging-food-beverage-retail-and-camping-concession-opportunity-application-process-open.htm Thu, 12 Dec 2024 04:39:00 EST The National Park Service (“NPS”) has issued a prospectus soliciting proposals to provide Lodging, Food & Beverage, Retail, and Camping services to visitors at Badlands National Park (“Park”). The NPS intends to award one concession contract. The new contract will be for a term of ten (10) years. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-national-park-announces-lodging-food-beverage-retail-and-camping-concession-opportunity-application-process-open.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/notch-trail-closed-pending-review.htm Mon, 23 Sep 2024 06:45:00 EST Notch Trail and all areas within 150’ of both sides of the trail. During the closure period, Park staff will be mitigating safety hazards associated with loose rocks on and around the base of the ladder. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/notch-trail-closed-pending-review.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/presolicitation-site-visit-for-concession-8-2024.htm Fri, 30 Aug 2024 11:26:00 EST The National Park Service (“NPS”) anticipates releasing a prospectus for a concession business opportunity to provide lodging, retail, food and beverage and camping services within Badlands National Park (“Park”) in mid November 2024. The prospectus will describe the business opportunity and the terms and conditions of Concession Contract No. CC-BADL001-25. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/presolicitation-site-visit-for-concession-8-2024.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/tourism-to-badl-contributes-to-local-economy.htm Tue, 27 Aug 2024 08:52:00 EST A new National Park Service report shows that 1,046,400 visitors to Badlands National Park in 2023 spent $134,579,000 in communities near the park. That spending supported 1,916 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $193,285,000. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/tourism-to-badl-contributes-to-local-economy.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-astro-fest-2024.htm Sun, 23 Jun 2024 11:22:00 EST Badlands National Park has partnered with the NASA South Dakota Space Grant Consortium to co-sponsor the 2024 Badlands Astronomy Festival, July 5th-7th. The festival brings together space science professionals, amateur astronomers, educators, and visitors for a three-day celebration. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-astro-fest-2024.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/temporary-closure-of-sage-creek-campground.htm Fri, 21 Jun 2024 06:01:00 EST Badlands National Park Superintendent Eric Veach announced today that the Sage Creek Campground will be closed to all visitor use from 8:00 AM until 7:00 PM on Tuesday June 25 2024 due to the need to treat prairie dog mounds for fleas in order to manage the spread of plague. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/temporary-closure-of-sage-creek-campground.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/plague-confirmed-in-badlands-conata-ecosystem.htm Wed, 05 Jun 2024 11:17:00 EST The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service have confirmed plague as the cause of a prairie dog die off in Badlands National Park, Buffalo Gap National Grassland, and the greater Conata-Badlands ecosystem, in South Dakota based on a test result received 5/31. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/plague-confirmed-in-badlands-conata-ecosystem.htm https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/new-genus-of-deer-discovered-at-badlands-national-park.htm Thu, 09 May 2024 06:42:00 EST A team of researchers from Badlands National Park, the American Museum of Natural History, and California State Polytechnic University have described the fossil remains of a new genus of tiny, hornless deer that lived in South Dakota about 32 million years ago, during the Oligocene Epoch. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/new-genus-of-deer-discovered-at-badlands-national-park.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badl-accessibility-setp.htm Fri, 12 Apr 2024 05:38:00 EST Badlands National Park’s Accessibility Self Evaluation and Transition Plan (SETP) includes findings from the self-evaluation process, as well as a plan for improving accessibility parkwide. The SETP resulted from the work of a National Park Service (NPS) interdisciplinary design team, including planning, design, and construction professionals; and interpretive, resource, visitor safety, maintenance, and accessibility specialists. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badl-accessibility-setp.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/abigail-aldrich-selected-as-deputy-superintendent-of-badlands-national-park-superintendent-of-minuteman-missile-national-historic-site.htm Wed, 06 Dec 2023 08:50:00 EST Badlands National Park superintendent Eric Veach announced the selection of Abigail Aldrich as the new deputy superintendent of Badlands National Park/superintendent of Minuteman Missile National Historic Site in South Dakota. Aldrich is currently a project manager with the Harpers Ferry Center in West Virginia. She will assume her new role in South Dakota in January 2024. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/abigail-aldrich-selected-as-deputy-superintendent-of-badlands-national-park-superintendent-of-minuteman-missile-national-historic-site.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/nps-completes-badlands-air-tour-management-plan-2023.htm Fri, 17 Nov 2023 11:28:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed an air tour management plan for Badlands National Park on November 17, 2023. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/nps-completes-badlands-air-tour-management-plan-2023.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-air-tour-management-plan.htm Fri, 17 Nov 2023 08:00:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed an air tour management plan for Badlands National Park on November 17, 2023. The plan will prohibit commercial air tours over the park and within one-half mile outside its boundary to protect park resources including natural and cultural resources, Tribal sacred sites and ceremonial areas, wilderness character, and visitor experience. The plan’s operating parameters will be effective within 180 days from the date of signature. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-air-tour-management-plan.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badl-mimi-contributes-to-local-economies.htm Wed, 23 Aug 2023 08:31:00 EST A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that visitors in 2022 to Badlands National Park and Minuteman Missile National Historic Site spent $81,870,000 in communities near the parks. That spending supported 1,111 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $106,915,000. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badl-mimi-contributes-to-local-economies.htm https://www.nps.gov/agfo/learn/news/paleontology-program.htm Wed, 19 Jul 2023 18:59:00 EST Agate Fossil Beds National Monument will host Badlands National Park Ranger and Paleontologist Ed Welsh for his presentation, "Agate Fossil Beds and the Rise of the American Serengeti" on Saturday, July 22, 2023. https://www.nps.gov/agfo/learn/news/paleontology-program.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/public-input-air-management-plan-at-badlands.htm Mon, 15 May 2023 03:00:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are seeking public feedback on a draft Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP) and associated environmental assessment that are being proposed for Badlands National Park. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/public-input-air-management-plan-at-badlands.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-move-to-cashless-fee-collection.htm Thu, 16 Feb 2023 11:05:00 EST Beginning March 1st, 2023, Badlands National Park will transition to a fully cashless fee system and only accept mobile or electronic payments for entrance and permit fees. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-move-to-cashless-fee-collection.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-christmas-bird-count-jan-2-2023.htm Fri, 09 Dec 2022 05:48:00 EST The Badlands National Park Christmas Bird Count will be held Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. We will meet at the Ben Reifel visitors center (near Interior and Cliff Shelf) at 7:45 am. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-christmas-bird-count-jan-2-2023.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/2022-11-7_bison_distributed_to_tribes.htm Mon, 07 Nov 2022 03:00:00 EST 655 animals distributed to the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) and to Tribes through the Intertribal Tribal Buffalo Council https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/2022-11-7_bison_distributed_to_tribes.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/2022-09-09-cedar-pass-road-construction.htm Fri, 09 Sep 2022 11:23:00 EST The Federal Highway Administration will begin work on repairing the significant failure of the southbound lane on Cedar Pass. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/2022-09-09-cedar-pass-road-construction.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/air-tour-management-plan-for-badlands-national-park.htm Tue, 06 Sep 2022 07:30:00 EST Public input needed on potential alternatives for the draft air tour management plan for Badlands National Park https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/air-tour-management-plan-for-badlands-national-park.htm https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1671/eric-veach-badl-superintendent.htm Thu, 18 Aug 2022 10:21:00 EST National Park Service Regional Director Bert Frost announced today the selection of Eric Veach as the new superintendent of Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Veach currently serves as the Forest Supervisor for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest headquartered in Vancouver, Washington. He will assume his new role at Badlands this fall. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1671/eric-veach-badl-superintendent.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/public-comment-for-road-repair.htm Mon, 16 May 2022 06:57:00 EST Badlands National Park’s proposed emergency road repair at Cedar Pass and Environmental Assessment (EA) will soon be available for public review and comment on the National Park Service Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/public-comment-for-road-repair.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/prescribed-fire-planned-at-badlands-national-park.htm Thu, 04 Nov 2021 15:42:00 EST Prescribed Fire Planned at Badlands National Park https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/prescribed-fire-planned-at-badlands-national-park.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-astronomy-festival.htm Thu, 01 Jul 2021 07:41:00 EST Badlands National Park Astrofest 2021 Schedule https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-astronomy-festival.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/sage-creek-rim-road-re-opens.htm Fri, 29 Jan 2021 07:32:00 EST Sage Creek Rim Road is open to visitors. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/sage-creek-rim-road-re-opens.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/fee-free-days.htm Wed, 06 Jan 2021 09:33:00 EST Fee Free Days Announced for National Park Sites https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/fee-free-days.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/sage-creek-rim-road-closure.htm Wed, 06 Jan 2021 08:44:00 EST Sage Creek Rim Road is closed due to a landslide https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/sage-creek-rim-road-closure.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/prescribed-burn.htm Fri, 18 Sep 2020 11:01:00 EST Superintendent Mike Pflaum announces plans for a prescribed burn in the Heck Table area of Badlands National Park. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/prescribed-burn.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-national-park-is-beginning-to-increase-recreational-access-to-ben-reifel-visitor-center-at-cedar-pass.htm Wed, 15 Jul 2020 12:47:00 EST Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Badlands National Park is increasing recreational access and services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-national-park-is-beginning-to-increase-recreational-access-to-ben-reifel-visitor-center-at-cedar-pass.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-national-park-is-modifying-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance-april-6th.htm Mon, 06 Apr 2020 10:21:00 EST Updated modifications to Badlands National Park operations: South Unit closure. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-national-park-is-modifying-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance-april-6th.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-national-park-is-modifying-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm Wed, 18 Mar 2020 09:00:00 EST Badlands National Park is Modifying Operations to Implement Latest Health Guidance https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/badlands-national-park-is-modifying-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/nr19-01.htm Mon, 17 Jun 2019 11:18:00 EST Badlands National Park has partnered with the NASA South Dakota Space Grant Consortium to co-sponsor the 2019 Badlands Astronomy Festival, July 5th-7th. The festival brings together space science professionals, amateur astronomers, educators, and visitors for a three day celebration. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/nr19-01.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/shutdownoperations_12-2018.htm Sun, 23 Dec 2018 10:20:00 EST During the federal government shutdown, Badlands will remain open. However, there will be no visitor services, and hazardous or dangerous conditions may exist.   Highway 240 (Loop Road) and Sage Creek Rim Road will remain open if weather conditions allow. However, rangers will close roads if weather conditions are unsafe for travel. Pinnacles Overlook, Big Badlands Overlook, Cliff Shelf and the Notch Trail will remain open. Please note emergency services will be limited during the shutdown. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/shutdownoperations_12-2018.htm https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/mike-pflaum-selected-as-superintendent-of-badlands-national-park.htm Fri, 24 Jul 2015 06:48:00 EST Mike Pflaum, a 35-year veteran of the National Park Service (NPS), has been selected as the new Superintendent of Badlands National Park. Pflaum has served as the Superintendent of Keweenaw National Historical Park in Calumet, Michigan since January, 2011, with an intervening assignment at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Pflaum begins his new assignment on August 23, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/mike-pflaum-selected-as-superintendent-of-badlands-national-park.htm